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

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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) 594-5200

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.

Guide to Set Up an Appointment

Schedule an Appointment

Zoom or In-Person Walk-in

We are available for in-person drop-in advising Mon-Thurs 9am-4pm (GMCS429) and virtual advising only Mon-Fri 9:30am-4pm. 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.

"Very friendly, informative, and easy to talk to, not intimidating and gave great resource tools for the future."

Anonymous, Fall 2018

"I greatly appreciate the advising that I received at this center. I got help from a lot of the peer advisors and many different perspectives."

Anonymous, Spring 2019

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

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

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: By Appointment

Make an Appointment via EAB Navigate

Alysa Velasquez

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

Office Hours: By Appointment

Make an Appointment via EAB Navigate

TBA

TBA

Academic Advisor, CoS Student Success Center

New Advisor to be determined

Contact

Office Hours: By Appointment

Make an Appointment via EAB Navigate

Raymond Stanley

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 

 

Email or use EAB Navigate to view available appointments.

 

Heather Stark

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

hstark@sdsu.edu

Fall 2023 hours:

Monday 2:00pm – 3:00pm in person at GMCS 566 

Wednesday 9:00am – 10:00am using this Zoom link:

Or 

Make an Appointment via EAB Navigate

Dr. Estralita Martin

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.

Dr. Martin’s full profile

Contact

Office Hours: By Appointment via EAB Navigate

or contact Sam Westover swestover@sdsu.edu 

Email: esmartin@sdsu.edu

Office Phone: 619-594-1204