Professional Staff

Andres Elvira

Orientation Coordinator

Mr. Elvira earned his Master of Arts in Postsecondary Educational Leadership with a specialization in Student Affairs from San Diego State University and brings a wealth of orientation experience. Andres has orientation experiences at three public segments of California's higher education systems: UC, CSU, and private college. Andres is also very involved in the professional association NODA – Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education. On top of serving as a NODA Intern at SJSU in the summer of 2019, he has served on two NODA regional conference planning committees and on various NODA Network groups. Andres is thrilled to return to the NSFP team to continue supporting new students and their families in their transition to SJSU!

Drew Nicklas 

Parent and Family Programs Coordinator

Ms. Nicklas earned her Master of Education in Counselor Education with a specialization in Student Affairs from Clemson University and has worked in first-year experience and orientation prior to joining our team at SJSU.  She is also an alumna of the CSU system as she completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a specialization in Public Health at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.  She is excited to be back within the CSU system, join the amazing community at SJSU, and to work with all the amazing parents and families that are so important to SJSU!

Noheli Serrano

First Year Engagement Coordinator 

Ms. Serrano earned her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (Higher Education) from California State University Sacramento and received her Bachelors of Arts in Communication from Southern Oregon University. She has primarily worked in residential life throughout undergrad and graduate school, and is excited to dive into orientation. Her Masters research project focused on exploring the wealth of support Latinx families are able to pass down to their children as they transition to college, and she is thrilled to be able to apply her research into her position at SJSU. Noheli is happy to be part of the NSFP team and excited to help new Spartans transition to higher ed!

Bianca Aranda
Administrative Support Coordinator

Ms. Aranda is currently pursuing a MA in Higher Education Leadership at San Jose State University. She is a recent alumna of San Jose State and earned her BA in Sociology with a Minor in Education. She comes from a family of Spartan alumni and is very grateful to be continuing their legacy. She has prior experience in University Housing Services, where she worked as a student assistant in residential life and student conduct. Her academic and professional experience has provided her with the guidance and motivation to want to contribute to improving academic standards, student success, engagement, and inclusivity. She is so excited to fulfill these goals by assisting and welcoming new students and families to the Spartan community!

Mia Cariglia

NODA Graduate Intern

Ms. Cariglia is currently pursuing a Master's Degree at Springfield College in Student Affairs Administration. She is an alumna of Western New England University class of 2021. She holds two graduate assistant positions as a Career Advisor at Springfield College and as a First Year Program Assistant at Western New England. Ms. Cariglia enjoys supporting new students with their transition to college and working with student leaders! She is very excited to be joining the SJSU team as the NODA Intern during the summer of 2022 and looks forward to exploring California as well.

Ashley Sankowski

NODA Graduate Intern

Ashley Sankowski (she/her) is currently pursuing an M.Ed. in Student Affairs at Clemson University. She is originally from Rochester, New York and graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2018 with a double major in Theatre Arts and Sociology. At Clemson, Ashley is the graduate assistant in the College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences Academic Advising Center, where she works as an academic advisor for nursing students. She is so excited to spend her summer at SJSU working alongside the orientation leaders and professional staff, supporting new students and their families and supporters, and exploring Northern California! In her free time, you can find Ashley watching scary movies, going on adventures with friends, and singing show tunes.

Ngoc Nguyen 

NODA Graduate Intern

Ngoc Nguyen (she/chị/em) is a Master's student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at The Ohio State University. At Ohio State, she serves as an Assistant Hall Director in Residence Life and a Graduate Teaching Associate in Sorority and Fraternity Life. Ngoc is passionate about advocating for and with students who hold minoritized identities as well as envisioning and implementing systemic changes to serve their needs. Ngoc is excited to join the NSFP and APID/A Student Success Center team in welcoming incoming students, families, and supporters!

Program Director

Vacant