Advisors

advising staff discussion with student

"The Peer Advisors have been through the SJSU system. They have a first hand experience in navigating this campus."

Academic Advising

Survival at SJSU requires more than academic skills: It requires motivation as well as a commitment to learning. Our advising staff provides support in clarifying goals and finding solutions to personal concerns. We work cooperatively with other campus services to help students obtain information about requirements, course selection, financial aid, career planning, and other resources. Our advising services also include:

  • Major/Career exploration
  • Scheduling classes
  • Student advocacy
  • Scholarship search
  • Assistance with resume writing
  • Support in finding solutions to personal concerns and academic problems for all ASPIRE students
  • Making appropriate referrals to other SJSU resources
  • One-on-one sessions with an advisor; 1 hour appointments; three times per semester or as needed for all ASPIRE students.
  • Information on campus resources, policies and procedures for all ASPIRE students.

Peer Advising

The ASPIRE Peer Advising component is among the most significant pieces of the program. Peer Advisors are service minded, upper division and graduate students who play a key role in assisting ASPIRE participants become acclimated to the campus and the demands of the collegiate life. The Peer Advisors assist through one-on-one and group meetings with their advisees. They are an important on-campus resource for ASPIRE students and work as vital members of the program counseling team.

Meet our Advisors!

Angelica Tran - SSS (ASPIRE) Assistant Director

Angelica is a first-generation college graduate born and raised in the Bay Area. She graduated from San José State University with a B.A. in Justice Studies and an M.A. in Counselor Education. She has been a part of the TRiO family as both a student participant and as professional staff for over 15 years and understands first hand the impact and importance of TRiO programs. She loves working with students and helping them achieve their academic goals and beyond.

Anthony Stoker - SSS (ASPIRE) Academic Advisor

Anthony Stoker has been working with SSS TRIO for many years. He personally got his start in Chabot College's SSS (ASPIRE) program and he wants to do his best to be just as helpful to others as they were to him. Through their help, he was able to successfully transfer and earn his undergraduate degree. Throughout his time as an undergrad, he had worked with various student service programs like SSS (ASPIRE), MESA (Mather, Engineering, Science Achievement), and Disabled Student Resource Center as a tutor and student assistant. 

MariaFernanda (Marifer) Ruiz - SSS (ASPIRE) Academic Advisor

MariaFernanda (Marifer) Ruiz is a first-generation student from Hayward, CA. She received her B.A. from UCSB in 2021, and M.A.in Counseling and Guidance Program from SJSU in 2023. She personally knows the struggles of being a first-gen student navigating a four-year institution, and wants to make sure that other first-generation students feel supported in their educational journey. She hoped to continue supporting students in their educational journey in the future. She is the new Academic Advisor for SSS Aspire.