Our Team

Jade grew up on the Central Coast and attended Allan Hancock College and Santa Barbara City College before transferring to UC Santa Barbara, where she received a B.A. in Psychology. After working for several years as a financial aid advisor at UC Santa Barbara, Jade pursued graduate school at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and received an M.A. in Counseling and Guidance in Higher Education/Student Affairs. During graduate school, Jade interned with the MESA program at Allan Hancock College and with the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities at Cal Poly. Before joining the Retention team at Cal Poly, Jade served as a career counselor at Cal Poly Career Services for six years where she regularly partnered with Cal Poly Scholars, EOP, TRIO, and Cal Poly cultural centers. Jade is passionate about supporting students' academic and career goals. When not at work, Jade enjoys reading, collecting cool rocks, and playing Mario Kart. 

Identities that inform my work: First-generation, Transfer, Multiracial, Latinx, Asian

My "entrance" song:

 

Emily was born and raised in Santa Maria, California. She attended Allan Hancock College before transferring to Cal Poly for Communication Studies. After receiving her bachelor's degree, she pursued a master's in Higher Education Counseling and Student Affairs. Her undergraduate and graduate research focused on transfer student experiences at Cal Poly. Her challenging experiences as a transfer student at a PWI inspired her to conduct research and advocate for a transfer center on campus. After graduating, she pursued a career at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon where she worked with the Honors College and served as the Coordinator for Diversity Initiatives in Housing. After several years, she decided to come back to the central coast to work at Allan Hancock College coordinating the Rising Scholars and Phoenix Scholars programs working with formerly and currently incarcerated students. Emily is now the retention specialist for the College of Engineering and works closely with Engineering Student Services and the Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP).

 

When Emily is not at work, she enjoys taking her golden doodle on walks, working out at the gym, spending time with family and friends, reading, dancing, and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops. She is excited to connect with students and support them in their time at Cal Poly!

Identities that inform my work: Latina/Chicana, First-Generation, Transfer Student

My "entrance" song:

Kara was born and raised in Santa Clarita, California and has enjoyed living in SLO for the last few years. After graduating from Azusa Pacific University with her B.A. in Psychology, she completed an internship at UCLA working as an academic mentor for NCAA student-athletes. It was there that she realized she was most passionate about supporting college students in their personal, academic, and professional growth. She then returned to APU where she received her M.A. in Leadership with an emphasis in Leadership Development and worked as program coordinator for the Liberal Studies Department. Kara most recently worked at Cal Poly as an academic advisor for the Mustang Success Center, specifically advising and empowering students on academic probation.

Kara loves finding new art, books, and music, watching sports, eating good food and drinking good coffee, and laughing with family and friends. She cares deeply for the Cal Poly community and for the students that choose to come here. She commits to listen, to learn, to advocate, and to work with dedication every day on behalf of those that she serves.

Identities that inform my work: Woman, learner, disability and mental health advocate, transfer advocate

My "entrance" song: 

Alicia grew up in Toluca, Mexico and moved to California’s Central Coast at age 9. As a first-generation, low-income student, she navigated college at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, earning a B.A. in Sociology with minors in Child Development, Psychology, and Spanish. Her passion for education and supporting families led her to work at CAPSLO as a Family Service Advocate, connecting families to vital resources and childcare. Alicia later returned to Cal Poly for a master’s in Higher Education Counseling & Student Affairs, gaining experience in academic advising and career counseling across multiple campus departments, including the Mustang Success Center—where she previously served as an academic advisor before joining the Retention team. Outside of work, Alicia loves sunset beach walks, dancing, spending time with family, and being outdoors. She’s excited to support and empower students as they navigate their academic journeys!

Identities that inform my work: Latina, first-generation, low-income, English language learner, disability and inclusion advocate

My "entrance" song:

 

Charlotte grew up in Connecticut where she attended Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven. A first-generation student, she studied Sociology and became active in campus anti-racist efforts. Then, after moving to California (for the summer), Charlotte chose to stay and pursue her M.A. in Education Counseling at Cal Poly, where she could learn ways to best support historically marginalized student communities. Before her current role with Retention, she spent 18 years as Career Counselor and then Assistant Director of Career Services. Charlotte's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion underscores her time on campus as a founding member of the Pride Faculty Staff Association, co-organizer of the first-ever Cal Poly CultureFest, instructor for the Bakari Mentoring and master's in Education programs and as initiator of Career Services' cross-department, Diversity Incubator efforts. She loves working with the amazing Retention Team and being part of equitable change at Cal Poly!

Identities that inform my work: First-generation college student, member of the LGBTQIA family, parent

My "entrance" song:

Rebecca has lived in New York, Washington, Illinois, Michigan, and North Carolina before making California her home. As a first-generation, low-income student, she earned her B.S. in Family Studies and Human Development from Central Washington University before earning her M.S. in College Student Personnel at Western Illinois University. Through these transformative years, Rebecca found her passion for working with students as they navigate their higher education journeys. Before joining the Graduate Education team at Cal Poly, Rebecca worked in the Mustang Success Center as an academic advisor, supporting students across the university and eventually specializing in advising first-time, first-year students. Rebecca joined the Graduate Education team in June 2025 and has enjoyed combining her student-facing advising role with behind-the-scenes efforts to remove barriers and create student-friendly pathways to graduation. At the core of Rebecca's approach is helping students feel empowered and become their own best advocates.

Outside of work, you may find Rebecca at her local library, at a locally owned cafe, or, more likely, hear her laughing with friends.

Identities that inform my work: First-generation college student, low-income background, member of the LGBTQIA family 

My "entrance" song:

Gianna was born and raised in Ventura County, California. She attended California Lutheran University, where she earned her bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Spanish. Gianna is a first-year graduate student in the Higher Education Counseling and Student Affairs (HECSA) program at Cal Poly. Aside from her role with Retention, she is also working for the Mustang Success Center. Gianna is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment where all students feel welcomed and supported. Outside of school and work, Gianna also loves going to the beach, swimming in the ocean, playing volleyball, and spending time with her family. 

Identities that inform my work: Latina/Chicana, woman, multi-ethnic family member, disability advocate 

My "entrance" song:

Jessica was born and raised in San Diego, California. She attended the University of California San Diego, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. Jessica is a first-year graduate student in the Higher Education Counseling and Student Affairs (HECSA) program at Cal Poly. Jessica is committed to helping students feel heard, respected, and equipped to pursue their personal and academic goals. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys learning about animals, photography, dirt biking, and spending time with her dog. 

Identities that inform my work: member of the LGBTQIA family, woman, military connected 

My "entrance" song: