Meet the Staff

Director

Shanelle Watkins, Ed.D.

Hometown: San Diego
High School: Point Loma High School
College BA: California State University, San Marcos
MA: University of San Diego
EdD: University of California, San Diego
Favorite spot at UCSD: Copa Vida
Bucket list: To vacation in the south of France
Advice to new students: Throughout your journey here, remember your greatness, and that your story is uniquely yours, and do not be afraid to share it!

Shanelle has worked in the field of education for over 14 years, at the K-12, community college and four-year university levels. As a first-generation student herself, Shanelle’s life passion has been to ensure that all students have supportive pathways to and through postsecondary education. Her dissertation research focuses on the experiences of Black women undergraduate student leaders at Hispanic Serving Institutions in the state of California.

swatkins@ucsd.edu

Coordinators for Academic Support and Student Success

Karen Van Ness, M.A. | ACADEMIC SUPPORT COORDINATOR

Hometown: Richardson, Texas
High School: Plano Senior High School
College (BA): Brown University
MA & C.Phil: UCSD Department of Literature. Currently in joint doctoral program in education at UC San Diego and California State University, San Marcos
Favorite spot at UCSD: The May 1970 Peace Memorial on Revelle Campus
Bucket list: To finish my dissertation!
Advice to new students: UC San Diego can feel big & impersonal, but you will find your place if you look for it.

Karen has worked at UC San Diego for over 15 years as a writing instructor and as a program coordinator in Student Affairs. She is currently working on her doctoral dissertation on the role of the University of California system in the success of non-traditional students.
kvanness@ucsd.edu | (858) 246-0322

Schedule an appointment, https://calendly.com/karenvanness

Specializations: Classes/Enrollment, Tutoring Resources, OLC Requirements, Academic Jeopardy, Withdrawing for the quarter/ Readmission, General advising, Financial aid eligibility/questions.

Office Manager

Nicole Howard

College (BA): Chapman University
Favorite spot at UCSD: Pinpoint Cafe @ SIO Campus and Sun God Lawn
Bucket list: Travel to South America
Advice to new students: Don’t be afraid to ask for help! We are here to help you succeed.

Email: nhowardopp@ucsd.edu

College Academic Advisor Liaisons

Roberto Mata| REVELLE COLLEGE
Email: r2mata@ucsd.edu
Karla Kastner | JOHN MUIR COLLEGE
Email: kkastner@ucsd.edu
Sierra Rios | THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE
Email: s9rios@ucsd.edu
Amado Berrios | EARL WARREN COLLEGE
Email: aberrios@ucsd.edu
Lydia Ramirez | ELEANOR ROOSEVELT COLLEGE
Email: lpramirez@ucsd.edu
Juan Figueroa, M.S. | SIXTH COLLEGE

Hometown: Norwalk, California
College (BA, MA): Bachelor of Health Sciences in Physiology and Masters in Organizational Leadership
Favorite Spot at UCSD: Sun God Lawn
Bucket list: Taking a cruise to explore different countries and cultures.
Advice to new students: 1. Don't be afraid to reach out or ask for help and 2. Don't forget to incorporate social and self care time. Your time at the University will fly by so make the most of your time at UCSD.

Email: jffigueroa@ucsd.edu
Gage Gamboa | SIXTH COLLEGE

Hometown: Oceanside, CA
College (BA): UCSD, Muir College
Favorite Spot at UCSD: Art of Espresso
Bucket list: Owning a few motorcycles one day.
Advice to new students: Give yourself grace during this period of change and growth.

Email: g1gamboa@ucsd.edu
Kristin Guzman | SEVENTH COLLEGE

Hometown: San Diego, CA
College (BA): Education Sciences and Criminology, Law, and Society, UC Irvine
College (MA): Education with a Concentration in Couseling, San Diego State University
Favorite spot at UCSD: Croutons
Bucket List: See the Northern Lights!
Advice to new students: Breathe in the moments of stress, seek help during times of confusion, and laugh at the little things.

Email: kbguzman@ucsd.edu
Michael "Mike" Markulin | EIGHTH COLLEGE

Hometown: San Jose, CA
College (BA): Political Science - Public Policy, UC San Diego
College (MA): Leadership Studies, University of San Diego
Favorite spot at UCSD: A walk around campus during the lunch hour
Bucket List: Retiring in Croatia! Idemo!
Advice to new students: Sometimes all you need to do is focus on doing your best today, and tomorrow will take care of itself.

Email: mgmarkulin@ucsd.edu

Scholarship/Special Programs Coordinator

Ana Quintana

College: CSU Monterey Bay and CSU San Bernardino
Bucket List: Traveling the world
Advice to new students: It's important to remember that stumbling is a natural part of life. What matters most is to speak up and ask for help when you need it. One of the biggest challenges of being a young adult is recognizing that you are not alone. Learning to trust others with the parts of ourselves or experiences that we may feel ashamed or embarrassed about can be difficult, but it's crucial as we are here to help you succeed!

Email: ayquintana@UCSD.edu

Student Office Coordinators

The Chancellor's Associates Scholars Program has occasional vacancies in positions for students to serve as office coordinators to support the Office Manager and assist with activities.

Frida Acevedo, Class of 2027

Frida is the the Student Supervisor for the CASP Office Coordinator Team.

Hometown: San Diego, CA

High School: The Preuss School

Sixth College, Human Developmental Sciences

Favorite Spot on Campus: Club Med

On my bucket list: See the northern lights in real life!

Advice to new students: Be curious and embrace the opportunities that college may offer :) You got this
Sunny Nguyen, Class of 2028

Hometown: San Diego, CA

High School: Canyon Hills High School

Marshall College, Public Health with a concentration in Medicine Science

Favorite Spot on Campus: Franklin Antonio Hall

On my bucket list: Going to Japan during their Spring Cherry Blossom season!

Advice to new students: Try to get out of your comfort zone and take advantage of new opportunities :)