About Us
EOPS/CARE
Utilizing a student-centered approach, Mt. SAC's EOPS/CARE program provides over an
above personalized ongoing comprehensive support services to historically underrepresented
and low-socioeconomic students in order to increase their sense of belonging, self-efficacy
and awareness of opportunities to help students achieve their academic and personal
goals.
EOPS/CARE Leadership
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Julie Marquez Director, EOPS/CARE/NextUp/REACH & CalWORKs EOPS/CARE/NextUp/REACH & CalWORKs
About Dr. Julie Marquez
Dr. Julie Marquez has served as the Director of EOPS/CARE at Mt. San Antonio College for over seven years, and she is dedicated to leading with a strong commitment to equity, access, and student success. -
Sara Gamez Assistant Director, EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs
About Dr. Sara Gamez
Dr. Sara Gamez is the Assistant Director of EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs at Mt. San Antonio College.
Coordinator
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Bianca Valle Ward EOPS/CARE Coordinator EOPS/CARE
About Bianca Valle Ward
Bianca Valle Ward is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College.
Counselors
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Tony Rivas EOPS/CARE Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Tony Rivas
Tony Rivas is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Hector Sanchez EOPS/CARE Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Hector Sanchez
Hector Sanchez is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Urias Garcia EOPS/CARE Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Urias Garcia
Urias Garcia is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Carolyn Lake-Bain EOPS/CARE Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Carolyn Lake-Bain
Carolyn Lake-Bain is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Luzolo Luzombe Adjunct Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Luzolo Luzombe
Luzolo Luzombe is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Jazmin Hurtado Adjunct Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Luzolo Luzombe
Luzolo Luzombe is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Selene Roman Adjunct Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Selene Roman
Selene Roman is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Alyssa Garcia Adjunct Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Alyssa Garcia
Alyssa Garcia is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Charlie Nguyen Adjunct Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Charlie Nguyen
Charlie Nguyen is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Pedro Alvarez Adjunct Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Pedro Alvarez
Pedro Alvarez is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Angela Crisantos Adjunct Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Angela Crisantos
Angela Crisantos is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Sandy Than Adjunct Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Sandy Than
Sandy Than is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Kendra Ubierna Adjunct Counselor EOPS/CARE
About Kendra Ubierna
Kendra Ubierna is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College.
Program Specialists
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Kaitlyn Yrineo Student Services Program Specialist II EOPS/CARE
About Kaitlyn Yrineo
Kaitlyn Yrineo is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Sandra Aquino EOPS/CARE Coordinator EOPS/CARE
About Sandra Aquino
Sandra Aquino is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Sabrina Otero Administrative Specialist I EOPS/CARE
About Sabrina Otero
Sabrina Otero is an EOPS/CARE team member at Mt. San Antonio College.
Peer Navigators
EOPS/CARE Project Expert
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Heather Meltesen Student Services Support V EOPS/CARE, NextUp/REACH, & CalWORKs
About Heather Meltesen
I am a Mount San Antonio Alumnus who has earned an A.A. in Graphic Design, Animation, and Fine Arts/Illustration. I've been working with the EOPS/CARE, NextUp/REACH, and CalWORKs teams for four years, and I love using my artistic talents to bring information to students to help ensure their success by connecting them with important resources.
NextUP/REACH
The NextUp/REACH Program is an educational program designed to assist and support
current and former Foster Youth in their transition into college, while attending
Mt. San Antonio College, and as they graduate or transfer to a University. We are
committed to be a partner of our Foster Youth students and walk with them side by
side in their educational endeavor.
NextUP/REACH Leadership
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Jeze Lopez Assistant Director, NextUp/REACH NextUp/REACH
About Jeze Lopez
Jeze Lopez is the Assistant Director of NextUp/REACH at Mt. San Antonio College.
Counselor
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Cristina Freeborn EOPS/NextUp/REACH Counselor EOPS/NextUp/REACH
About Cristina Freeborn
Cristina Freeborn is an EOPS, NextUp/REACH team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Stephanie Lopez Adjunct Counselor EOPS/NextUp/REACH
About Stephanie Lopez
Stephanie Lopez is a first-generation college graduate passionate about supporting students as they navigate higher education. She earned her Bachelor’s in Health Science with a minor in Child and Adolescent Development from CSUF and her Master’s in College Counseling and Student Development from APU. Stephanie is dedicated to helping students feel supported, seen, and empowered throughout their college journey, guiding them to identify their strengths and achieve their goals. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. -
Laura Anaya Adjunct Counselor EOPS/NextUp/REACH
About Laura Anaya
Laura Anaya began her educational journey at Rio Hondo College, where she earned Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) in Sociology and Social Work. She went on to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at California State University, Los Angeles, and her Master’s degree in Social Work at California State University, Long Beach. As a proud alumna of EOPS, a member of the DACAmented community, and a non-traditional student, Laura understands the challenges of navigating higher education. She personally experienced the uncertainty of struggling to find a career path that aligned with her strengths, and now uses that journey to empower students in finding their own direction.Her counseling philosophy is rooted in equity, empowerment, and belonging. Laura believes that every student carries unique strengths and lived experiences that can be leveraged for success. She is committed to providing student-centered, holistic, and culturally responsive support that not only guides students through their academic, career, and personal goals, but also validates their identities and removes barriers along the way.Grounded in her social work background, Laura integrates advocacy, compassion, and collaboration in her work. She views counseling as a partnership with students — one that encourages resilience, celebrates progress, and fosters confidence in their ability to achieve their goals.
Program Specialists
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Briseida Maciel Program Specialist II EOPS, NextUp/REACH
About Briseida Maciel
Briseida Maciel is an EOPS, NextUp/REACH team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Kriistal Bilderbach Life Skills Specialist NextUp/REACH
About Kriistal Bilderbach
Kriistal Bilderbach is a NextUp/REACH team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Carla Tablas Administrative Specialist III NextUp/REACH
About Carla Tablas
Carla Tablas is a NextUp/REACH team member at Mt. San Antonio College.
Peer Navigators
NextUP/REACH Project Expert
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Yecenia Ramirez Student Services Support V NextUp/REACH
About Yecenia Ramirez
Yecenia Ramirez is a NextUp/REACH team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Michael Papias Project Expert II NextUp/REACH
About Michael Papias
Michael Papias is a NextUp/REACH team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Lisa Gomez Project Expert III NextUp/REACH
About Lisa Gomez
Lisa Gomez is a NextUp/REACH team member at Mt. San Antonio College. -
Benji Louis Hernandez Student Support Specialist III NextUp/REACH
About Benji Louis Hernandez
Benji Louis Hernandez is a NextUp/REACH team member at Mt. San Antonio College.
Student Worker
