STAFF BIOS
Joanna M. Hernandez, Director
Student Success Initiatives
Joanna Hernandez grew up as a first-generation Latina & former foster youth student. Over her past 10 years of work experience in higher education, she has specifically focused on advocating for first-generation & low-income students’ needs, is a practiced counselor, and seasoned program developer. She is passionate about the future of higher education and ensuring it is a safe & inclusive environment for all student communities. Joanna is currently an Educational Leadership doctoral student at Cal State Long Beach, and completed her master’s in Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan, and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Latin American & Iberian Studies from UC Santa Barbara. She currently serves as the Director of Student Success Initiatives Office providing leadership to programs that support foster youth, student parents, undocumented students, transfer success programs, community partnerships, as well as first-generation and low-income students. Prior to this appointment, she served as the TRIO project director at UC Irvine and worked as an EOP counselor at UC Santa Barbara. Joanna is a new mom, loves her dog & cat, enjoys hiking, lover of urban art and music. Please feel free to reach out to her if you would like additional support or want to get connected to any of the SSI programs.
Office: 2200 Student Services II
E-mail:joanna.hernandez@uci.edu
Dianna Mendoza, Office Manager
Student Success Initiatives
Dianna has worked at UCI for 25 years all within the Division of Undergraduate Education. Since Fall 2011, she has been working as the Office Manager for Student Success Initiatives and Transfer Student Hub. Dianna is excited to meet the students our office serves and help them achieve their goals while at UCI. If you have general questions about Student Success Initiatives, please contact Dianna Mendoza.
Office: 2200 Student Services II
E-mail: dmmendoz@uci.edu
Dr. Sonia Valencia, Program Director
TRIO Scholars Program
Dr. Sonia Ivette Valencia is a Mexican immigrant and first-gen college graduate. Raised in Orange, CA, she received a B.A. in English, Women’s Studies, and Chicano Studies from the University of California, Riverside. As an undergraduate student, Sonia studied abroad, worked with student orientation, and was involved in research. She has an M.A. in English from Georgetown University and a Ph.D. in English from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research examines representations and treatments of environmental catastrophes in Latinx cultural production. Sonia is committed to advancing educational access and equity and to supporting the academic and career goals of first-gen, low-income, and BIPOC students. She is a devoted cat mom, avid reader, podcast enthusiast, and true crime fanatic.
Office: 2200 Student Services II
E-mail: soniaiv@uci.edu
Stephanie Aguilar, TRIO Counselor
TRIO Scholars Program
Stephanie Aguilar is a graduate from the University of California, Irvine, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies. As a first-generation and a non-traditional student, Stephanie began her higher education path by transferring from a community college to a 4-year institution. Additionally, Stephanie is also a Trio SSS Alumni which caters to first-generation, low income and/or students with a disability. Being part of TRIO has played a pivotal role in shaping Stephanie’s academic and professional career in higher education. With 7 years of experience within TRIO SSS, Stephanie has served both in professional and student roles which has allowed Stephanie to understand the unique needs of students navigating the complexities of higher education. Subsequently, Stephanie is passionate about advocating for students facing similar challenges, and firmly believes that students possess a unique voice and story that embodies resilience and perseverance. Beyond her academic pursuits, Stephanie is a devoted mother to her 10-year-old son, Jason, who has served as her motivation throughout her educational journey. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys nature walks, cooking, traveling, and watching K-dramas.
Office: 2200 Student Services II
E-mail: celiasa@uci.edu
Michelle Ly, TRIO Coordinator
TRIO Scholars Program
Michelle Ly was born and raised in Westminster, CA. As a proud first-generation student, she earned her B.S. in Human Biology from UC Irvine. During her undergraduate years, Michelle worked with the TRIO Scholars Program as a Peer Tutor, fulfilling responsibilities that included providing academic and professional development support to student participants through drop-in tutorial sessions and personalized appointments. Michelle now serves as the TRIO Coordinator where she spearheads the development of workshop services that aim to enhance the retention and graduation rates of underserved students. In her free time, Michelle finds enjoyment in exploring new food places, solving daily Wordles, and cherishing moments spent with her loved ones.
Office: 2200 Student Services II
E-mail: Lym8@uci.edu
Brighitte Preciado, Retention Program Director
Student Success Initiatives
Brighitte grew up in the Los Angeles area and has over 10 years of experience within higher education including residential life, student activities, and outreach and retention. Brighitte earned her B.A. in Film and Media from UC Berkeley and her M.S. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University. Brighitte served as the Director of the TRIO Scholars Program at UC Riverside and most recently supported student organizations and events at Scripps College as the Assistant Director of Student Engagement. As a first-generation college graduate, Brighitte is passionate about providing mentorship, advising and support to students within underrepresented communities.
Office: 2200 Student Services II
E-mail: bsprecia@uci.edu
Tatiana Apelu, Academic Achievement Counselor
Student Success Initiatives
Tati, a proud double alumna of California State University, San Marcos, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Sociological Practice. During her student days, Tati’s dedication to student-centered work grew as she assumed important roles in various student services departments. Her personal journey as a first-generation Samoan woman, coupled with her experience as a former foster youth, amplifies her capacity for empathy and understanding for vulnerable student populations. Her gratitude for the campus support programs that contributed to her own success fuels her passion to student success. In her previous role within the non-profit sector, Tatiana played a pivotal role in the development of the nation’s largest vocational/trade scholarship for current and former foster youth.
Outside of work, Tatiana is a powerhouse in competitive powerlifting and a culinary creative who enjoys reimagining popular recipes.
Office: 2200 Student Services II
E-mail: tapelu@uci.edu
Jordi Conde, DREAM Scholars Counselor
Student Success Initiatives
Jordi Conde (he, him, his) is a proud First-Generation, undocumented professional/scholar. Having been undocumented for the last twenty plus years, he is committed to helping students explore and develop their identities in a higher education setting that can be carried onward. Jordi values student development, mentorship, creating a sense of belonging for all students, and
Most recently, Jordi completed his Master’s degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Student Development in Higher Education from Cal State Long Beach. In addition, he is a proud UC alumni, graduating with both a B.A. in Politics and B.A. in Latin American & Latine Studies from UC Santa Cruz.
Outside of work, Jordi loves to spend time with his two dogs (a Corgi/Husky mix and a German Shepherd/Labrador mix), being outdoors, hiking, bicycling, reading, going to Dodger games, and enjoys photography.
Office: 2200 Student Services II
E-mail: jcondeme@uci.edu
Kenya Garay, Gateway Scholars Counselor
Student Success Initiatives
Kenya is a first-generation Latina graduate from Tustin, California. Coming from a low-income, immigrant family, her goals have always had education in mind. She received her bachelor’s from UCLA in Ethnomusicology and her master’s in Chicana/o Studies from CSUN. She has a passion for working with students navigating similar backgrounds as she did growing up. Kenya has worked in education for more than 10 years in different fields such as K-12, the nonprofit sector, and ultimately higher education. She currently serves as the Gateway Scholars counselor of Student Success Initiatives providing services to students who come from historically underrepresented populations. Kenya is a fish parent, book enthusiast, enjoys working out, and plays violin in a mariachi band in her free time.
Rosemary Sanchez, Summer Bridge Counselor
Student Success Initiatives
Olivia Romero, SSI Coordinator
Student Success Initiatives
Olivia is a first-generation Latina college graduate who recently obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and minor in Education from UCI. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in Counseling with a focus on Student Development in Higher Education at CSULB. With over three years of experience in higher education, Olivia has dedicated herself to serving primarily first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students. Olivia has worked as a mentor, consultant, and advisor in various campus centers, providing support to diverse student populations. As a student affairs practitioner, she is deeply committed to continuing her work in empowering marginalized student communities, ensuring they have access to essential resources and support to overcome systemic and generational barriers.
Beyond her work life, Olivia enjoys hiking, spending quality time with her family, and exploring new coffee spots!
Albert Huang, Summer Programs Coordinator
Student Success Initiatives
Albert Huang (he/him), is a first-generation college student, who has recently completed his Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Sciences with a triple minor in Business Management, Digital Information Systems, and Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine. During his undergraduate years, Albert was deeply involved in various activities including Residential Advising (RA), the Student Parent Orientation Program (SPOP), and Associate Students at UCI (ASUCI). These experiences ignited his passion for serving the student body, particularly first-generation and underserved communities.
Albert is eager to pursue a master’s degree in counseling to further his commitment to helping others. In his leisure time, he enjoys engaging in hobbies such as photography and videography, cherishing moments with friends, and exploring new destinations through travel.
Eric Yang, International Student Excellence Program Coordinator
Student Success Initiatives
Eric Yang holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, Irvine. With a wealth of experience in direct student support services in higher education, Eric has demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering inclusive academic environments.
In his previous role, Eric served as a advocate for underserved student populations, overseeing campus programs for undocumented students at UC Riverside. Additionally, he has spearheaded nonpartisan youth-led organizing initiatives across LA County and Orange County.
As an immigrant from South Korea, Eric is passionate about advocating for equitable access to higher education, believing in the transformative power of education to unlock individual potential and cultivate fulfilling career pathways for all.
Currently, Eric is thrilled to contribute to the International Student Excellence Program at UCI as the International Peer Group Program Coordinator. In this role, he enjoys leveraging his expertise and passion for student support to enhance the experiences of international students and foster a vibrant community.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Eric finds joy in exploring his culinary roots through cooking traditional Korean cuisines and unwinding with comedy and sci-fi films in his free time.
Adeeva Myers, Program Director
Transfer Student Center
Office: 2100 Student Services II
E-mail: ammyers@uci.edu
Carlos Martinez, Office Coordinator
Transfer Student Center
Carlos serves as the Office Coordinator for the Transfer Student Center. As a former transfer student himself, he earned his Associate of Arts for Transfer in Psychology from Glendale Community College in California. He went on to graduate from UC Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior.
Carlos’s responsibilities revolve around maintaining an inclusive and welcoming environment for both current and prospective Transfer students and their peers. In his role, he oversees front desk operations, as well as the student service needs for a variety of Student Success Initiatives programs, including the Transfer Buddy Program, Transfer BOOST, and Student Parents and Families programs. Carlos also serves as the initial point of contact for TSC guests, families, and campus partners, connecting them with the appropriate campus resources.
Carlos enjoys playing video games, jamming out on the keyboard, and sharing recommendations for shows to binge watch. Feel free to reach out to him with your transfer student experience questions, or to simply share a bright moment in your day.
Office: 2100 Student Services II
E-mail: carlosmm@exchange.uci.edu
Ananda Van Boeyen, Formerly Incarcerated & Systems Impacted & Parenting Students Counselor
Transfer Student Center
Ameinah Thomas, Umoja Counselor
Transfer Student Center
Ameinah is a Los Angeles, California native with the educational trajectory to match. She is a first generation college student turned graduate. Her K-12 experiences are from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), she then graduated from UCLA with her Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies with a double minor in Education Studies and Anthropology. Ameinah received her Masters of Education in Educational Counseling from USC and is currently a doctoral candidate at Cal State LA pursuing her degree in Educational Leadership. During her time at UCLA, Ameinah participated in various research groups including Educators for Tomorrow. She also held roles in the Afrikan Student Union and chaired the Afrikan Women’s Collective all four years as a student. Adopting an “Each one, teach one” mentality, Ameinah worked for the same college access organization that helped her get into college which then set off her love for helping underrepresented, low-income, first-generation students gain access, matriculate, and be retained in college and beyond to professional schools and their careers. Also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, she understands the importance of community and aims to always foster community in the spaces she’s in. As a product of a single parent, low-income household, Ameinah strives to support all students in understanding the importance of equitable educational experiences and their roles within them. Ameinah is excited to get to know you, please contact her with any questions about the Umoja program.
Laura Zepeda, Program Coordinator
Transfer Student Center
Laura is a proud first-generation college graduate from Salinas, CA. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Minor in Applied Psychology from UC Santa Barbara. She has experience working within residential life, academic advising, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP), and Upward Bound. During her undergraduate career, she had the opportunity to work with a wide array of student populations which has fueled her passion for working and supporting students, especially first-gen, income-eligible, and historically underrepresented students. She believes in empowering our students to take ownership of their education through the utilization of support networks and through the cultivation of their unique sense of belonging. Prior to this role she served as a UCI Summer Bridge Program Coordinator where she supported an amazing group of incoming first year students get acclimated to UCI. She is excited to serve as the Transfer Student Center (TSC)/Foster Youth Resilience in Education (FYRE) Coordinator under Student Success Initiatives (SSI) at UCI.
In her free time Laura enjoys traveling, exploring new food/coffee spots, listening to music, and thrifting.