College of Sciences
Student Success Center
Here at the CoS Student Success we offer professional and peer mentor academic advising to supplement your Department Advisors. We also offer a variety of specialty advising, STEM related programs. Come visit us and see what we have to offer.
Our Mission
The primary goals of the CoS Student Success Center are to enhance the educational experience and facilitate graduation for all students in the Sciences and to help them follow a clear and deliberate path toward their individual academic goals and professional aspirations. We work toward these goals aiming to improve access to information, resources, and academic advising, and to provide structure and support to our department advisors.
CoS SSC Structure
Our Student Success Center supplements our faculty department advisors in the College of Sciences. In our Center we have a team consisting of professional Academic Advisors, as well as Peer Mentors that are able to assist students with a variety of advising questions.
Contact Us
Email/Call Us
For quick questions that are not urgent, please email us and include your RED ID. Someone in our office will respond within 1-2 business days. If it is a quick and general question you may also call our office, however we can not access personal information, including your degree evaluation over the phone.
sciences.studentsuccess@sdsu.edu
619-594-1116
Book Appointment
If you’d like to meet with a professional academic advisor, booking an appointment is the best way to make sure you have enough time to discuss your situation. Please use this Appointment Guide for instructions on how to set up an appointment on EAB Navigate.
Zoom or In-Person Walk-in
We are currently open for virtual and in-person drop-in advising hours, open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm (GMCS429, closed Mon 2pm-3pm). Stop by and meet with a peer mentor to ask general questions, no appointment is needed.
Our staff and peer mentors can help you with:
- Locate resources to help you begin to plan your career – We’ll let you know about workshops and career panels, handouts and reading material, websites, and help put you in contact with the right people and opportunities.
- Learn about internships and research – We can show you information about how to land internships and field experience and where those opportunities are.
- Address any difficulties you might have in classes by serving as your champion and liaison- between you and faculty, depart chairs or advisers, or other campus entities.
- Locate campus resources to help you get involved at SDSU.
- Help you explore minors, or manage difficult decisions about changing majors.
- Share study abroad opportunities with you.
- Keep you informed about all the opportunities that the College of Sciences has to offer.
Student Success Team
In the College of Sciences we view student success as a team effort. There are a variety of places that can offer you support and we have listed a few people that may be a great resource.
Dr. Stacy Ochoa
Director of Advising, College of Sciences
Ph.D. Biology, M.Ed. Education
Department of Biology Lecturer
I am excited to be part of the College of Sciences Student Success Center (CoS SSC). At the center we want to support you to successfully navigate this important step towards the successful career of your choice. We are here to provide advice and mentorship. Feel free to stop by anytime and frequently with questions or problems about classes, study abroad information, career advising, and research opportunities or just to check in. Make sure to look through the rest of our website for opportunities and for more information.
Contact
Office Hours: By Appointment
Make an Appointment via EAB Navigate
Rosalynn Ayala
Assistant Director, CoS Student Success Center
M.Ed. Postsecondary Administration & Student Affairs
As an academic advisor, I take a student centered approach to support students in their journey towards their academic and professional goals. I am a student advocate and I am committed to partnering with students to access resources and take ownership of their academic plan. Please stop by and visit us!
Contact
Office Hours: M-T-TH 9:00am-3:00pm, by Appointment
Closed Mon-Fri 12-1pm
Make an Appointment via EAB Navigate
Alysa Velasquez
Academic Advisor, CoS Student Success Center
M.S. Higher Education Counseling/Student Affairs
As a Student Affairs Professional, I am an advocate for holistic student success to ensure students feel supported both personally and academically. I aim to encompass student-centered counseling in which I value the unique experiences and perspectives that each student brings to the table. My goal as an Academic Advisor is to be compassionate and to create positive and inclusive environments for students to thrive in. I ensure to cultivate safe spaces in which all student populations feel empowered to achieve their goals. I take pride in Academic Advising and sincerely enjoy helping students navigate their collegiate journeys!
Contact
Alex Reyes
Academic Advisor, CoS Student Success Center
MA in Postsecondary Educational Leadership: Specialization in Student Affairs (M.A.)
As an academic advisor, I value all student identities and use equity-driven frameworks to empower students to achieve academic success through self-regulation and self-awareness. I am committed to the holistic development of students and can support students with inquiries related to academic advising, course planning, academic resources, and post-baccalaureate opportunities. I invite you to stop by and visit our office! “Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” John C. Maxwell
Contact
Raymond Stanley
Academic Advisor, Biology
B.S. Biology
As an academic advisor, my priority is to ensure that students feel confident in navigating their academic journey. Apart from selecting courses and assisting with graduation requirements my hope is to support students holistically and to make them aware of the vast number of resources available to them so that they can take charge of their own future and strive towards their academic and professional goals. Please stop by the Undergraduate Biology Advising Center for any questions related to your Biology/Microbiology degree or coursework.
Contact
LSN – 102
Summer 2022 hours:
In-person drop-ins Mon-Fri 9am-3:30pm
Virtual appointments available Mon-Fri 9am-3pm
Email or use EAB Navigate to view available appointments.
Heather Stark
Academic Advisor, Computer Science
M.A. Educational Technology
As an academic advisor, my role is to provide answers, solve problems, but most importantly, assist students in acquiring the tools they need to succeed. I am committed to student success and thrive when I’m helping others. I’m a Star Wars and Disney fan and enjoy hanging out with my family and friends during my leisure time. I’m looking forward to meeting you during office hours! “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Contact
Summer 2022 hours:
Virtual drop-in hours Mon & Wed 11:30am-12:30pm using this Zoom link:
Or
Make an Appointment via EAB Navigate
Dr. Estralita Martin
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, College of Sciences & Director of CASA
Assists students with all non-academic issues that may affect their academics.
Contact
Office Hours: By Appointment via EAB Navigate
or contact Sam Westover swestover@sdsu.edu
Email: esmartin@sdsu.edu
Office Phone: 619-594-1204