Kremen’s Student Affairs and College Counseling Program Displays Excellence in Academic Leadership

Two current students and one alumni from the Kremen School of Education and Human Development’s Student Affairs and College Counseling program (SACC) were recently elected and appointed into leadership roles within the California College Personnel Association (CCPA). CCPA is the California state chapter of ACPA-College Student Educators International, one of the largest student affairs professional associations in the world. CCPA is committed to providing professional development, networking opportunities, leadership experience, and information on the latest trends and issues in the field of academia. Jose Medina III (alumni) has been elected as President-Elect of CCPA. Samantha Bautista (current student) was elected as CCPA’s Director of Communication with her classmate Ashley Gutierrez taking on the role as Graduate Representative for CCPA.

Kremen’s SACC program provides individuals with the academic preparation and training to effectively address the academic, career, and personal counseling needs of college students. SACC students receive extensive training and supervision in the core conditions of Person-Centered Counseling through coursework, practicum, and field practice. The application of the core conditions in the work of student affairs professionals is essential in developing cohesive working relationships and understanding the needs of diverse students in higher education. The classroom and experiential opportunities allow SACC students to learn, practice, and apply their counseling knowledge in a variety of higher education settings.

ASHLEY GUTIERREZ | GRADUATE REPRESENTATIVE, CCPA

Ashley Gutierrez is a first-generation Latina college student and was accepted in 2021 to the Master’s in Student Affairs and College Counseling (SACC) program at Fresno State. She previously attended Reedley Community College before transferring to Fresno State, earning her B.A. in 2018. Since returning as a grad student, Ashley has been actively involved: currently she is working for Academic Success Coaching as an Academic Coach, where she supports students’ educational journey at Fresno State. Similarly, last summer she joined Fresno State’s Dog Days Orientation Team and welcomed incoming students. This past fall semester, she completed an internship with the Transfer Success Center while helping to coordinate their National Transfer Student Week. Outside of school, she has also been actively engaged within the Central Valley communities by participating in the Central Valley Latino Leadership Academy, the League of Mexican American Women, and has also written grants and historical research for Arte America. Being appointed as the Graduate Representative for CCPA is meaningful since she will be able to not only network with like minded individuals, but will also use the skills she learned from the SACC graduate program to address various needs of higher education & student affairs professionals and graduate students in California. 

JOSE MEDINA III  | PRESIDENT-ELECT, CCPA

Jose L Medina III (he/him) is a Central Valley Native born and raised in Merced, a city in the center of California. His commitment to the region and higher education forms his personal mission to promote college access for those who come from the surrounding rural communities. Prior to his current role in the School of Engineering at the University of California, Merced, Jose served as the inaugural Admissions Outreach Specialist in the College of Osteopathic Medicine at California Health Sciences University (2022) as well as various roles within the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management and the Division of Academic Affairs at Fresno State (2018-2022). 

Jose advocates for empowering students to reach their full potential academically and personally. He is a strong believer that in the field of Higher Education, we are in this together. This not only includes mentoring of students but also the mentoring of aspiring student affairs professionals. 

Jose received a BA in History and an M.S. in Counseling – Student Affairs and College Counseling option (with distinction) from Fresno State. Beginning in Fall 2023 he will begin his Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Administration from St. Cloud State University. 

Jose’s leadership has also been recognized in various ways. His current position as P.E. for CCPA, which is a three-year elected position as part of the Presidential Cycle: President-Elect (2023-2024), President (2024 – 2025), Past-President (2025 – 2026). Prior to his current role as President-Elect, Jose served as Director of Membership (2022-2023) and Graduate Student Representative (2020-2021). Jose also serves as the Co-Chair of Outreach for the Staff and Faculty of Color Association at UC Merced. 

SAMANTHA BAUTISTA | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, CCPA 

Samantha Bautista (she/her), is a first-generation graduate student in the Master’s of Counseling, Student Affairs and College Counseling program. She received her B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Criminology in Spring 2021, and anticipates graduating with her Master’s in May 2023 as a two-time Alumni.  

Samantha has dedicated over five years of working with diverse students in various roles at Fresno State. She is currently serving as the Work-Based Learning Experiences Project Coordinator for the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) Initiative. Prior to this role she served as an Assistant Coordinator for the College of Social Sciences (COSS) Link Peer Mentor Program. In addition to this, she interned as an Academic Success Coach with the formerly named program SupportNet, now known as Academic Success Coaching. 

Throughout Samantha’s graduate program journey she served in leadership roles such as Secretary for the Student Affairs and College Counseling Graduate Student Association. She was recently nominated and elected as the Director of Communications for (CCPA). Through this role she is responsible for being a liaison between the Association and the members, managing the social media platforms, and sending out Newsletters among other responsibilities. She is looking forward to serving alongside her peers and the CCPA leadership team. Samantha is passionate about serving students through various roles in Student Affairs and College Counseling.

Kremen Student Wins Award for Improving the Quality of Life for Students with Disabilities

Back in October, Noble was awarded the City of Fresno Disability Advisory Commission’s 14th Annual Achievement Award for outstanding and dedicated service to improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Noble was nominated for the award by Dr. Alicia Becton, Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation at the Kremen School of Education and Human Development. 

Jordan Noble was only 25 years old when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She was working for Fresno Unified School District in the Special Education Department at the time and holding down three different jobs.

Shortly after the diagnosis, she began to struggle with walking and standing. She was falling down more than usual.

“After I got the diagnosis, the progression of the disease was a lot quicker than doctors were expecting,”

– Noble. 

As a result, Noble’s life changed faster than she anticipated. She had to purchase a wheelchair and come to grips with the effects of having a disability. She had to put aside her plans to adjust to a new lifestyle by requesting accommodations and resources.

“The biggest test for me was learning to find myself after becoming disabled. Who I was as a person changed fundamentally.”

– Noble.

Noble, now 37, could’ve used her diagnosis as a reason to give up on life; instead, she used it as motivation to help others with disabilities. Now, her accomplishments have been recognized by the City of Fresno.

Noble’s diagnosis forced her to open a case with the California Department of Rehabilitation to explore her options and determine what services were available to assist her. It also served as a secret blessing, one she never imagined at the time. 

She spent the next several years picking up the pieces of her broken education by attending Fresno City College. After she finished her education, Noble transferred to Fresno State. It was then that her new passion started to surface. 

Noble began interning with Resources for Independence Central Valley (RICV) as a Youth Empowerment Specialist when she bumped into Dr. Becton, who was at the time the RICV Board President. She expressed to Dr. Becton her interest in becoming a counselor, and after that, the rest is history. Mentorship, community connections, and support were key pieces to Noble thriving in her endeavors. 

Noble enrolled in the Masters of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Program at Fresno State. Things quickly began to change for her.

 “If it weren’t for Fresno State, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”

– Noble.

Dr. Alicia Becton, Sarah Harris, Dr. Yuleinys Castillo, and Aubrey Alfano wrote the inspiring letters of recommendation that eventually garnered Noble the DAC Achievement Award.

With her new award firmly in hand, Noble has future aspirations of working for the California Department of Rehabilitation. She hopes to assist others who also identify with having disabilities while also limiting her work to part-time so she can focus on family. 

Until then, Noble’s award will continue to uplift her family, friends, and the community. 

“All that means to me is that everybody else needs to step their game up.”

– Noble.

(Written by staff members at the Kremen School of Education and Human Development)  

From Internship to Success

Lucero Mendoza, an intern who worked with Kremen’s Center for Advising and Student Services, is now pursuing her master’s degree in Student Affairs and College Counseling. She is projected to graduate by Spring 2023, after which, she plans to become an academic counselor in higher education. The knowledge and life skills she gained through her internship prompted her to continue reaching for her dreams, instilling her with a sense of purpose and renewed confidence.

Unfortunately, Mendoza did not have a smooth transition to college. Being a first-generation college student, she was not equipped to navigate the intimidating environment of higher education. Because of this, she decided early on that she wanted to use her future degree to help assist other first-generation college students facing the same predicament. Throughout her first year of college, Mendoza was part of a support program called “College Assistance Migrant Program” (CAMP). CAMP not only provided her with valuable resources but also introduced her to the Student Affairs College Counseling program. She began seeking assistance from peer mentors within the program. This motivated her to become a support system for other students who may also be struggling or simply need someone to talk to.

Mendoza’s internship at Kremen has helped prepare her for a future position in higher education by showing her the foundational principles of college counseling. Over the course of the last year, she has developed a new outlook regarding academic advising.

“I now understand how important it is to build a rapport with students, learning how to put oneself in their shoes. This has allowed me to take into consideration the fact that students have other responsibilities outside of their academic life, and because of this, counselors must approach each student with kindness and an open mind.”

Lucero Mendoza

Mendoza has also learned the importance of networking with other professionals. Throughout her internship, she has taken part in the Teacher Recruitment Fair and has also joined the Campus Advisors Network, where she was able to learn how other advising centers operated across campus, including any new changes that were happening. Mendoza also had the opportunity to connect with the Liberal Studies Dean, as well as other counseling members from their department. These opportunities have given her the chance to get to know other professionals in her field and learn more about their unique journeys to higher education.

Lucero Mendoza (Second from far left) with some of the other staff members at the Center for Advising and Student Services.

Working with the Center for Advising and Student Services has allowed Mendoza to gain a vast array of technical experience. Through them, she mastered how to navigate PeopleSoft, Bulldog Connect, and Zoom. Some of the other skills she has acquired include building effective communication pathways amongst students, discovering how to motivate individuals, and learning how to become an approachable person. Mendoza quickly realized the importance of having good listening skills and now strives to be as attentive to students as possible. She wants to make sure her students feel understood and validated when coming in for a session. Through Kremen, she has been taught the importance of working as a collaborative team while also building healthy relationships with both her coworkers and students. 

One of the techniques Mendoza has adopted is being flexible with her student’s availability, especially with 98% of student meetings now occurring via Zoom. At times, students may prefer having a phone call or do not feel comfortable meeting face-to-face. Other times, they are only available in the late evenings or after school hours. To Mendoza, it is extremely important to meet students halfway and remind them that she is there to support them in any way she can. Through working with the advisors at Kremen, she has learned many different techniques on how to approach students. One of her biggest takeaways is remembering to always check in with her students and conduct a follow-up after their appointment.

Organization is another crucial skill that Mendoza picked up during her internship with the counseling center. She began to utilize platforms such as Google Calendar to help itemize priorities and to keep herself from over-booking.

“Juggling school, work, and an internship can quickly become overwhelming, but having a calendar helped me to stay accountable and on track. I also used it to remind myself to take self-care days, allowing my mind to naturally reset during stressful semesters.”

Lucero Mendoza

 Mendoza loves sharing this tool with her students, knowing that it will help them exert more responsibility over their academic lives.  

For Mendoza, the Center for Advising and Student Services will always be an environment filled with positivity and encouragement. The staff members provided her with tremendous support and guidance throughout her first year as an advisor intern. One of the most poignant memories Mendoza made during her internship was when Kremen hosted a Christmas potluck. It was her first-time meeting everyone in person since joining the department. She was amazed at how well everyone got along, something that made her feel included immediately.

Lucero attending the Christmas potluck with her coworkers.

Being with Kremen has made Mendoza realize that she wants to secure a job that makes her feel welcome and understood, a place where everyone works as a team and shares the same goal of supplying the best possible service for students.

(Written by Audra Burwell, a Creative Writing Student Employed by The Kremen School of Education and Human Development)

Internship Spotlight: Cristofer Araujo

Cristofer Araujo

Cristofer Araujo is currently interning both at the Fresno State Kremen School of Education and Human development, as well as at Fresno City College with the Dream Center, while also pursuing his masters in Student Affairs and College Counseling (SACC) which he will be receiving in spring of 2022. Cristofer’s internship at Kremen has prepared him in a variety of ways by allowing him to work directly with students, integrating what he has learned in the classroom into his academic sessions, as well as gaining the experience he’ll need when he finishes his master’s degree and begins searching for employment.

He has been learning new programs such as PeopleSoft and Bulldog Connect, while also gaining crucial social skills. He enjoys making students feel validated by acknowledging what the student needs in order to provide them with the full assistance they require to get back on track with their academics and find balance in all aspects of life. Providing friendly customer service to each of the students that he contacts is one of the specialized approaches that Cristofer has acquired during his internship. Making every meeting approachable by establishing professional student relationships is something he prides himself on. 

One of the highlights of his internship at Kremen is being able to network with other professionals in his field and feeling welcomed by the academic community as they continue to treat him as a true professional. One of his favorite memories while interning was the first day he walked into the office. The staff warmly embraced him and welcomed him onto their team, involving Cristofer in all of their events and allowing him to connect with each of the members.

While interning, he also learned more about organizations such as the Student Support Network, discovering the numerous tools they provide for students who struggle with time management, exam anxiety, while also offering ways a student can achieve balance in their life.

Cristofer has also acquired many interpersonal communication skills during his internship, learning in great detail all of the procedures that students must perform in order to reach a specific point in their academic career, such as which forms to fill out and how to do so. He is now able to explain topics more thoroughly and create new ways to interact with students who may have a difficult time understanding particular procedures. The overall tone of his internship at Kremen is friendly, professional, inclusive and inviting, allowing his natural talents to grow and develop. 

(Written by Audra Burwell, a Creative Writing student employed by the Kremen School of Education and Human Development .)

Building Connections and Paving a Path to Opportunity

Guadalupe Arriaga grew up in the Central Valley, the rural, agricultural economy and the tight-knit community leaving a lasting impression on her childhood. She chose to study at Fresno State because she wanted to stay close to home throughout her college career and because it was an affordable, yet still attainable university for a first-generation student. Arriaga was fearful of moving away and after researching all of the programs and support networks Fresno State offered, she realized they would open the door to numerous opportunities for her. 

Remembering back to her freshman year of college, Arriaga reflects on some of the lessons she learned, one of which was staying on track with her degree plan in order to accelerate her time in classes. From the inception of her academic career, Arriaga’s goal was to obtain a degree and find a job as soon as possible. She was constantly looking for ways to connect with people, reaching out for help from academic counselors and searching out new opportunities that presented themselves. When first entering her classes, Arriaga was insecure with her writing skills and current knowledge, so she began to take advantage of the services offered by the tutoring center on a regular basis. Looking back, she realizes that she didn’t necessarily need all of these services, but it was having the security and reassurance that she was not alone in her journey. 

Arriaga explains how actively participating in projects and organizations on campus while taking a strong role in the direction of her learning helped her to stay on track. She explains how college is never the end of the road, since after graduating more challenges and obstacles presented themselves. However, with the valuable skills and lessons she learned at Fresno State, she was able to tackle them confidently. One of the accomplishments Arriaga is most proud of is the fact that she did not owe any loans after graduation and was able to avoid college debt entirely. She remembers working two to three jobs to cover tuition while still finding time to study and attend to her educational responsibilities. While at Fresno State, Arriaga was part of a program called Interact, which is a leadership program that helps with counseling and leading young adults. Toward the end of her undergraduate degree, Arriaga did begin to receive scholarships and grants which helped ease the burden of working full time. 

Currently, Arriaga is a teacher at Orange Center Elementary which belongs to a small, family-oriented district. Many parents send their children to this particular school because it is one they attended growing up and one where they made many fond memories on campus. Arriaga loves working with bilingual students and finding ways to implement Spanish in her classroom. She teaches the second grade and one of her greatest joys is seeing her students speaking in their native tongue and feeling comfortable being fluent in multiple languages. Arriaga is also part of several school committees, where she is able to offer input and help make decisions for the school. She has been featured multiple times on PBS where she talks about child education. Orange Center Elementary also hosts a variety of cultural events for their students, such as altar decorating and traditional potlucks. Arriaga is grateful for the work ethic and drive which Fresno State instilled in her. She was always busy and productive as a student at the university, two traits which remain consistent even in her lifestyle now. 

(Written by Audra Burwell, a Creative Writing student employed by the Kremen School of Education and Human Development .)

An Inspiration to the Deaf Community: How Omar Ruiz Became a Three-time Alumnus and an American Sign Language Instructor

Omar Ruiz

For Omar Ruiz, pursuing a doctoral degree was never his intention, but rather an endeavor that happened purely by coincidence. As a young boy, he was fascinated by UPS trucks and dreamt of one day driving one professionally, but along the way, his career path shifted – and as it turns out, life had other plans in store for him.  

This month, Ruiz will be one of two Deaf students to earn their doctorate degree at Fresno State, with Ruiz earning a doctorate specifically in Educational Leadership. With his latest degree, Ruiz will be a three-time Fresno State alumnus, having also received a master’s degree in Multilingual Multicultural Education and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He joins a small, but elite, number of Deaf professionals to earn a doctorate degree in education.

A testament to his perseverance and dedication, Ruiz channeled his passion and firsthand experience into his doctoral dissertation, “Exploring the communication and systematic barriers of Deaf and Hard of Hearing graduate students in higher education”.

Ruiz said the research explores the experiences, roadblocks, and inequalities Deaf and Hard of Hearing students face daily in academia. 

When pursuing his doctorate, Ruiz knew it would not only be challenging, but would also open up countless doors of opportunity and allow him to impact more individuals.

“I love being part of a cohort and also being presented with opportunities to contribute to the deaf community,” Ruiz said.  

Throughout his academic journey at Fresno State, Omar has worked closely with his ASL interpreter, Michelle Tindall, who he says has been a huge contributor to his academic success.

Born and raised in Ensenada, Mexico, Ruiz did not learn English until he was 16 years old. At 17, he emigrated to the U.S. and by 18, graduated from high school.

“It was a whirlwind for me. One year I cannot speak one word in English and the next I am graduating from high school in America.”

Omar Ruiz

Not long after, he attended community college in Huntington Beach for one year, later dropping out, citing his difficulties studying and retaining information due to the shortage of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters on campus. He returned to college a few years later at CSU Bakersfield. The setbacks he faced in his earlier college years set the pace for his future aspirations.

Now, Ruiz is an ASL instructor at Clovis Community College – a career he loves. Prior to that, he was a career counselor at the Fresno Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center for seven years. He says there are many barriers the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community still face. In fact, he can vividly recall spending many hours trying to convince managers, human resources, and companies to give Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals a chance at employment.

“As time went on, it became clear to me I was fighting the wrong battle,” Ruiz said. “Afterwards, I decided to become an ASL instructor in order to teach the next generation about communication and what Deaf and Hard and Hearing individuals are truly capable of.”

After earning his doctorate, Ruiz aspires to write an educational book and pursue an administrative role within the education sector. Looking ahead, Ruiz is filled with gratitude as he thinks about where his academic and professional journey has led him thus far.

“It is gratifying to be part of the small group of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals who have earned a doctorate,” Ruiz said. “I never looked at earning my doctorate as my goal, but nevertheless, I have enjoyed every minute of the journey so far.”

Deaf people succeeding in life is not inspirational, it is literally just what happens if you give them a fair chance and accessibility.

Naomi Smart

(Written by Audra Burwell, a Creative Writing Student, within the Kremen School of Education and Human Development)

Hannah Perez – ARCA Student of the Year

Hannah Perez is a graduate student in the Masters of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program, who has been enrolled at Fresno State since Fall 2020. Hannah began studying at Fresno State as a graduate student, after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Cognitive Science degree at UC Davis. She is currently the co-president of the Rehabilitation Counseling Student Association (RCSA), and an activities coach at the Wayfinders program.

Hannah Perez

Hannah will be receiving the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association’s Masters Student of the Year Award. This award recognizes graduate level students for their achievements, commitments, and contributions to the rehabilitation counseling field. Hannah feels incredibly honored that she was considered for a nomination by her advisor and program coordinator, Dr. Castillo. She says that she would have never expected an opportunity or achievement such as this to fall into her lap. She is incredibly proud of herself for earning this achievement, and making it to this monumental stage in life.

Hannah would like to give a huge thank you to her advisor and program coordinator, Dr. Castillo, for suggesting this award. She has continually provided Hannah with opportunities to further her professional development and has been one of Hannah’s biggest supporters during her time in the program. Hannah would also like to thank some of her best friends who are also enrolled in the program, Yvette, Christina, and Sabrina. She explains how they have supported her through this journey by believing in her when she began to doubt herself and encouraging her to reach her goals. Lastly, Hannah would like to thank her family for their unconditional and constant support. Receiving this award feels incredibly unreal, Hannah states, something that only pushes her further toward success in her chosen field. This award is the most prolific achievement she has made thus far in her academic career. She is proud that all of the hard work she has put into herself and her future is finally paying off.

Hannah will be graduating in the Spring of 2023 with her Masters of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. After graduation, she plans on earning her certification as a rehabilitation counselor as well as beginning the process of accruing hours towards licensure as a professional clinical counselor. She plans to continue working with college students with disabilities and mental health disparities. She is extremely passionate about working in this field and wants to continue advocating for and supporting these individuals along their journey.

(Written by Audra Burwell, a Creative Writing Student, Employed by The Kremen School of Education and Human Development)