Welcome to San Jose City College From the Counseling Team Bio's.pdf · I chose this profession...

Welcome to

San Jose City

College

From the

Counseling Team

The Counseling Department is committed to providing quality, comprehensive academic, career, and personal counseling services in a supportive environment to assist students in achieving their educational and vocational goals and empowering them to make informed choices and decisions.

Not sure where to start or how to reach your academic or career goals?

Need help developing your educational plan?

Just need to talk to someone?

The SJCC Counseling Department is here to help!

Meeting with a counselor is one of the most important things you can do during your college career at San Jose City College.

The Counseling Department is located in the Student Service Center (2nd floor, SC-200)

Phone: (408) 288-3750

Please meet the counselors

Carlos Chavez M.A. Degree – San Jose State University

B..A. Degree – Cal State Monterey Bay

Languages: Spanish and English

A little about me…

I’m a full-time counselor in the General Counseling Department.

Throughout college, I worked a variety of jobs. Most of my jobs were

flexible, so I could attend college and parent my children. While

attending graduate school, I was hired as an adjunct instructor at

Hartnell College and soon after was hired at Cabrillo College as well.

For several years, I worked the typical adjunct life in between two

colleges. In 2012, I was hired full-time at San Jose City College.

Why did I choose the counseling profession?

I became a Counselor because my mentor, an EOP&S counselor,

whom influenced my life in a positive manner. My mentor was

instrumental in my success as a college student. I decided that I

wanted to influence others to obtain a higher education and

subsequently chose my profession as counselor. I am passionate about

first generation college students obtaining a college education, social

justice, and the conservation of State and Federal Parks. The best part

about working at SJCC is working with different cultures.

What do I do in my spare time?

In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, experiencing the natural beauty

that the outdoors provides and gardening. I also enjoy traveling in

Latin America. I feel that traveling is an educational experience and I

recommend it to all my students. “Keep close to Nature’s heart…and

break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a

week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” John Muir

Lezra Chenportillo Ed.D. – In progress, ABD - USC

M.Ed Degree – Point Loma Nazarene University & M.F.A Degree - USC

B..A. Degree – USC



I’m a full-time counselor in the Career Transfer Center. I teach Guide

010, and Guide 096. Before coming to SJCC in 2015, I worked at

Skyline College, USC, Mount Saint Mary’s College and Downtown

College Prep. I am most passionate about my family – my wife and our

son – are the center of my world. I am also passionate about teaching,

learning, and issues of social justice.


Counseling for me feels like a calling, more than it does a profession. I

come to it from a place of service and a belief that education can

transform anyone’s life for the better. That was my own story, as a

first generation college student I was raised in East Los Angeles, very

poor and by a single mother. When I first stepped onto a college

campus it was a complete culture shock. I am passionate about what I

do because I believe in the beauty of our students’ dreams and I want

someone at their side helping to create the roadmap that helps them

achieve their goals. For me, there is no work more rewarding than

standing with our students when they’ve been accepted to a 4-year

university, and receive their degree at Commencement.


In my spare time, I love to take bike rides, especially along the Bay

trail.

Meiko Daire M.S. Degree – Grand Canyon University

B.A. Degree – Pepperdine University


I’m a full-time counselor in the General Counseling Department I teach

Guidance 096 both online and on campus. Prior to SJCC, I taught

Career and Life planning at Santa Monica College, and at Los Angeles

Southwest College. I was a general counselor, a TRIO Scholars

counselor and a Career Technical Education (CTE) counselor. I have

over 15 years of CTE and running internship programs at Santa Monica

High School. Prior to working in education, I was a marketing

coordinator for the Walt Disney Company film distribution in-theater

marketing department.


I chose this profession because I found myself counseling students

more and more while teaching career technical courses at Santa

Monica High School and placing students at internships in the

community. I also knew I wanted to work as a community counselor

since I went to West LA College and transferred to Pepperdine.

Community College which was a springboard for my entire career from

entertainment to counseling. The best part about SJCC is working with

amazing people who care about student success just as much as I do!


In my spare time, I read and travel with my husband and three

daughters.

Mary Denham M.S. Degree – CSU Fresno

B..A. Degree – CSU Fresno

A.A. Degree – Fresno City College


I’m a full-time counselor in the SAS (Student Accessibility Services)

Department since January 2014. I teach Guidance 119 and PED 023.

I’ve also worked at Gavilan College as a DSPS Counselor and the

Department of Rehabilitation as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

I also have 20 years’ experience teaching Group exercise in private and

public settings.


I chose this profession because it is very fulfilling to assist individuals

in reaching their highest potential. I am truly passionate about helping

students overcome any imitations or obstacles toward achieving their

Education, Career, and Personal Goals. The best part about working at

SJCC is working alongside inspiring and supportive Faculty/Staff and

experiencing student success!


In my spare time, I enjoy traveling to new places and spending time

with family and my twins.

Alma Garcia M.A. Degree – San Jose State University



I’m a full-time counselor in the META’s Department since fall 2016. I

also teach Guide 050A. I have a Master’s Degree in Social Work and

master’s in Counseling from San Jose State University. I was the first

person in my family to receive a university degree. I attribute my

educational accomplishes to my family, friends, and mentors.


I chose this profession because I enjoy helping people and I’m

passionate about serving first-general to college students. I have been

a counselor for more than five years at different local community

college and different special programs. Outside of education, I have

worked as a Social Worker for the State of California, San Mateo

County, and Kaiser.


In my spare time, I like to travel with family and friends.

Rachel Hagan M.A. Degree – Sonoma State

B.A. Degree – UC Santa Cruz


I’m a full-time counselor in the General Counseling Department. I

teach Guidance 096, Guide 130, and Guide 097A, 050A, and 050B. I

conduct pre-nursing workshops, Probation/Dismissal workshops, and

Study Skills workshops. I am also the coordinator for the Pathway to

Law, and co-coordinate HBCU tours. Prior to working at SJCC, I

worked as a counselor at Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa High

School, and Piner High School Early College Program. I’ve held various

other positions throughout my career, including being a gymnastics

instructor and judge.


I chose this profession because I have always loved school. I was

contemplating going to law school, but when I thought about what I

enjoyed most, it was school. I had a counselor in high school who

wasn’t helpful, and I knew I wanted to the opposite of who she was. I

love to encourage students to find their passion and pursue their

goals. I’m passionate about politics, helping other people, social

justice, and the musical Hamilton. The best part about working at SJCC

is the diversity of the students, staff, faculty and administration. We

educate some of the most amazing students and have many terrific

programs and opportunities for our students.


In my spare time, I enjoy reading, watching TV shows, movies, comedy

clubs, dancing, and hanging out with friends and family. I also enjoy

playing card games and home design apps.

Tuan Ngo M.S. Degree – San Francisco State

B..A. Degree – UC Davis

A.A. Degree – Fresno City College

Languages: Vietnamese and English


I’m a full-time counselor in the General Counseling Department, and

I’ve worked at SJCC since 2005. I provide academic and personal

counseling and teach Guide 096 – Career and Life Planning; and Guide-

130 College Success, each academic year.. Prior to working at San Jose

City College, I worked at San Francisco State University, CSU San

Bernardino, and the college of San Mateo, providing comprehensive

counseling services and teaching career and student success courses.


I chose this profession because I’m very passionate about helping and

empowering college students to achieve their educational and

personal goals.


In my spare time, I love to travel and see the world and experience

different cultures and places.

Cac Nguyen M.A. Degree – San Jose State University

B..A. Degree – San Jose State University

Languages: Vietnamese, French and English


I am an adjunct counselor for the General Counseling Department. I

have been a SJCC counselor since 1999. I’ve also worked at DeAnza

and Mission Colleges. I believe in students and their potential to be

great and successful regardless of their past and or background. To

see students’ pursuing and realizing their academic and career goals

has been a tremendous joy. For many students, here is where a

second chance to a fresh start in life and for others to live their dream

that has been put on hold. It starts here, and I am honored to be a

part of the student’s journey. The best part about working at SJCC is

that it has been my home away from home for 18 years; I enjoy

working with my colleagues and my work at SJCC has rewarding in

many ways. I am truly grateful.


I love working with students and to be a part of their academic

journey.


In my spare time, I enjoy quality time with my husband and children. I

attend church on Sunday and enjoy reading a good book, and meeting

friends for dinner and outings.

Will Reyes M.S. Degree – San Francisco State University B.S. Degree – San Francisco State University Languages: Spanish and English



I teach Guide 130, and Guide 096. I’ve also worked with Making

Waves Education Program: Coordinator/Outreach Advocate for

5th- 12th grade, and I’ve worked as a counselor at Laney College,

Cañada College, and Chabot College. I’m passionate about

family, sports, and life-long self-development. I once heard the

following: “Help that doesn’t Help, isn’t Help.” The counseling

department strives to provide the appropriate help for all

students. The best part about working at SJCC is the college

motto “Inspiring Success…one student at a Time.”

Why did I choose the counseling profession? I get an opportunity each day to be a part of the process to empower individuals and families to accomplish wellness, education, and career goals. What do I do in my spare time? In my spare time, I exercise, coach youth sports (baseball and soccer), and enjoy vacationing with family.

Beverly Stewart M.S. Degree – San Jose State University

B.S. Degree - San Jose State University

A.A. Degree – West Valley College



Before arriving at SJCC in 2015, I worked as the Outreach and

Recruitment Counselor at Evergreen Valley. I also worked as an

adjunct counselor at West Valley, Mission, and Foothill College for

several years. I have established great working relationships with our

local high schools, and serve as the liaison with San Jose Unified, East

Side Union, and Milpitas High School Districts. I also have the privilege

of working with the San Jose Promise Program, the 2021 Scholars

Program, as well as Dual and Concurrent Enrollment students.


I began my college career at West Valley College, enrolling in 18 units

my first semester, and struggling with my work and school load. I was

the first person in my family to attend college, and although my family

was supportive, they couldn’t help guide me. I had a wonderful

counselor at West Valley College, who believed in my ability, helped

me establish an educational goal, and followed me through to

graduation. Because of him, I became passionate about helping others

achieve their goal! The best part about working at SJCC is the dynamic

student population that we serve. It’s a great place to work, a great

place to see dreams realized, and a profession that I would choose all

over again.

What do I do in my spare time? In my spare time I like to exercise, cook, garden, attend Sharks games, and spend quality time with my husband, daughter, and friends.

Welcome to San Jose City College From the Counseling Team Bio's.pdf · I chose this profession...

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