Meet the Promise and SDSI Team
North Orange Promise at Fullerton College
Deniz Fierro
dfierro@fullcoll.edu
Director of Educational Partnerships & Pathways (Promise)
Deniz is the Director of the Promise Program. She recently earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from California State University, Fullerton. She received a MA in Education and a BA in History from UCLA. She’s eager to support the success of all students as they transition to higher education and career development.
Monica Gutierrez
mgutierrez@fullcoll.edu
Peer Mentor Coordinator
Monica received her MS in College Counseling and Student Development from Azuza Pacific University. She transferred from Fullerton College to Cal State Fullerton and graduated with her BS in Human Services. Her goal is to serve her community and empower students to be the best version of themselves.
Zoom Appointments:
calendly.com/mgutierrezz
Wednesdays 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Thursdays 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Annika Shellenbarger
ashellenbarger@fullcoll.edu
Project Coordinator
Annika graduated from the University of La Verne with a Masters in Educational Counseling with the PPS Credential. She graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a BS in Human Services. Her goal is to become a high school or middle school counselor.
Zoom Appointments:
calendly.com/ashellenbarger
Fridays 10am – 12pm
Promise Coaches
Juan Ramos
jramos1@fullcoll.edu
Zoom Appointments:
calendly.com/fcjramos1
Mondays and Tuesdays
8:00am – 10:00am
Juan earned his Master’s in Educational Counseling from the University of La Verne. He graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a BS in Human Services and received his AS in Administration of Justice from Fullerton College. His goal is to become a community college counselor.
Miriam Sandoval
mgodinezayala@fullcoll.edu
Zoom Appointments:
calendly.com/mgodinezayala
Tuesdays 5pm – 6pm
Wednesdays 2pm – 3pm
Thursdays & Fridays 9am -10am
Miriam graduated from the University of La Verne with a Master’s in Educational Counseling. She graduated from Cal State Fullerton with her BS in Human Services and had transferred from Santa Ana College with her AA in Liberal Arts: Humanities and Communication. Her goal is to become a community college counselor.
Andrea Sadek
asadek@fullcoll.edu
Zoom Appointments:
calendly.com/fcasadek
Tuesdays 5pm-6pm
Thursdays 4pm-5pm
Fridays 10am-12pm
Andrea is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Human Services from California State University, Fullerton. She had transferred from Santiago Canyon College with Associate’s Degrees in Arts, Humanities and Communication, Math and Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Andrea is passionate about supporting community college students’ development both academically and personally.
Maricruz Santander
MSantanderazpeitia@fullcoll.edu
Zoom Appointments:
calendly.com/msantandera
Tuesdays 10am – 12pm
Wednesdays 1pm – 3pm
Maricruz is currently pursuing her MS in Education with a concentration in Higher Education from California State University, Fullerton. She graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a BA in Political Science. Her goal is to positively serve and support students through their post-secondary education.
Kamilia Adem
kadem@fullcoll.edu
Zoom Appointments:
calendly.com/kadem-1
Mondays 8:30am – 10:30am
Fridays 8:30am – 10:30am
Kamilia graduated from University of La Verne with a Masters in Educational Counseling and a concentration in Social Justice in Higher Education. She graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a BA in Sociology and emphasis in social work. Her goal is to work in higher education and work with students at the community college level as a counselor.
Promise Mentors
Fatima Zaidi
Project Lead
Fatima graduated from Fullerton College with an AD-T in Psychological Science and continues her education at UCI. Her goal is to return to FC as a college counselor.
Janet Carreño
Mentor Lead
Janet graduated with an AA-T in Sociology from Fullerton College and is now attending CSUF for her BS in Human Services. Her goal is to become a high school counselor.
Evelyn Darlene Penilla
Senior Peer Mentor
Ricky Roman
Finance Lead
Ricky graduated from Fullerton College with an AD-T in Business Administration. He is attending Cal State Fullerton and majoring in Business with a concentration in Operations & Supply Chain Management.
Cindy Nava
Peer Mentor
Cindy graduated from Loara High School and is currently attending Fullerton College to major in Studio Art. Her goal is to transfer to a university and work in the stop-motion animation industry.
Omar Dauki
Peer Mentor
Omar graduated from Savanna High school and his major is Biology at Fullerton College. His career goal is to become a clinical researcher at a hospital.
Aria Menacho
Peer Mentor
Aria graduated from Sunny Hills High School in 2019. She is majoring in Pre-Nursing while working on a Foreign Language and Spanish AA. Her goal is to transfer to nursing school, become a neonatal nurse, and eventually continue her education to become a nurse practitioner.
Buzzy the Witch
Mascot
Buzzy graduated from Witchy High and her major is Magic Potions at Fullerton College. Her career goal is to become the best potion maker in Fullerton.
Student Diversity Success Initiative (SDSI)
Ilinca Filimon
Counselor
Ifilimon@fullcoll.edu
Ilinca graduated from Cal State Long Beach with her MS in Counseling. She received her BA in Sociology from UCLA and had transferred with an AA in Economics from Santiago Canyon College.
Vanessa Prieto
SDSI Coach
vprieto@fullcoll.edu
Vanessa obtained her BS degree in Human Services at CSUF, and is currently perusing her M.S. in Counseling and Student Development in Higher Education at CSULB. She transferred from Fullerton College with her AA in Social Behavior and Self-Development. Her goal is to become a community college counselor.