STUDENTS OF HIGHER
EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING
Rossier School of Education
Executive Board 2025-2026
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
President:
Maricela Garcia-Peña
Hometown: San Fernando Valley, CA
Undergraduate: LA Valley College, UC Davis
Identities: First-generation, Immigrant, Low-income, Latina, Transfer Student
Hobbies: Playing Chess and riding a Bike
Fun Fact: I learned to ride a bike at UC Davis.
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Vice President of Administrative Affairs:
Maritza Ramírez
Hometown: Longmont, CO
Undergraduate: Vanguard University
Identities: First-Gen, Sister and Tia, Dancer, Writer, Latine
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, acting
Fun Fact: I once biked from Long beach to Santa Monica.
Director of Finance:
Edwin Chang
Hometown: Chino Hills, CA
Undergraduate: UCLA
Identities: AAPI, Veteran
Hobbies: Photography, music, movies, travel way too many fandoms (Pokemon, Star Wars, Marvel, Arcane, Kpop, etc...)
Fun Fact: I play 7 different instruments and have taught music for over 10 years.
Co-Director of Internal Affairs:
Elizabeth Gonzalez
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate: Santa Monica College, UCLA
Identities: Latina, First-Gen, Transfer, EOP, Graduate Student
Hobbies: Cooking, trying new matcha and coffeeshops, concerts, exploring museums
Fun Fact: I've been to at least 30 museums and art galleries in locally and in the US.
Co-Director of Internal Affairs:
Jonathan Olmedo
Hometown: Anaheim, CA
Undergraduate: UC Santa Barbara
Identities: First-gen, Mexican descent
Hobbies: Collecting soccer jerseys, taking pictures with my point and shoot film camera, traveling
Fun Fact: When I moved away for undergrad, my family filled the void by getting a dog.
Co-Director of External Affairs:
Briana Juarez
Hometown:
Undergraduate: CSU Fullerton
Identities: Latina, First-gen
Hobbies: Trying out different matcha spots, hiking, going to concerts.
Fun Fact: My first concert was One Direction <3
Co-Director of External Affairs:
Claire Chung
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Undergraduate: UC Irvine
Identities: Korean-American, Oldest Sibling, Graduate Student
Hobbies: Crafting, coffee, thrifting, and watching movies/shows
Fun Fact: I like making costumes and props from media I’m a fan of!
Director of Professional Development:
Patricia Avalos
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate: UC Irvine
Identities: Latina, First-generation, Eldest Daughter, TRiO Upward Bound Alum
Hobbies: Exploring cafes and restaurants, going to concerts, and hiking
Fun Fact: love collecting little trinkets. My most prized possession is my pudding sonny angel (sweets series).
Director of Alumni Relations:
Jennifer Cortez
Hometown: Montebello, CA
Undergraduate: CSU Fullerton
Identities: Latina (Mexican-Salvadoran American), First-Gen, Dog mom, Older sister
Hobbies: Read, lift weights, explore new food spots/cuisines, and sunbathe
Fun Fact: I like to skip to the ending of TV shows, movies, and books to know how the plot unravels.
Director of Publicity:
Nicole Tran
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate: UC Davis
Identities: Chinese-American, Middle child, Graduate student, Dancer
Hobbies: Dancing, going to pop-ups & concerts, content creating, playing video games
Fun Fact: I have been to 21 concerts so far. (3 upcoming this year!)