Project Staff

Josefina Gudino

Josefina Gudino serves as the Student Services Support for the SfS2 program at California State University, Northridge. She completed her Master’s degree in College Counseling and Student Services at the California State University, Northridge and her undergraduate studies at UCLA. She has experience working with community college students as well students in four-year institutions of higher education. She has served students from diverse backgrounds, including first generation college students, foster youth, freshmen and transfer students, students with varying abilities, and non-traditional college students. Her professional interests include implementing practices that foster academic, career, and personal development to promote retention and degree completion among students. She is a professional member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).

Vanessa Hernandez

Vanessa R. Hernandez serves as the Student Success and Equity Programs Coordinator at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Her educational journey began at CSUN, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a focus on Counseling and Interviewing. During her undergraduate career, she developed a passion for empowering others. Building on this foundation, she pursued a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Guidance from California Lutheran University, specializing in College Student Personnel. As a first-generation college graduate herself, Vanessa is deeply committed to advocating for educational empowerment and equitable opportunities for all students. With over a decade of experience in both public and private sectors of California’s university landscape, she has become a seasoned leader in spearheading initiatives that support student growth. Vanessa’s expertise lies in collaboratively championing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, working closely with campus partners to ensure every student has the resources and support they need to succeed.

SfS2 Student Workshops, Faculty Community of Practice
Office Phone: (818) 677-3200
Email: vanessa.hernandez@csun.edu

Tiffany Carrillo-Higareda

Tiffany Carrillo-Higareda (she/her/hers) serves as the Administrative Support Coordinator for the Ed.D. Doctoral Programs at California State University, Northridge. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies at UC Santa Barbara, and completed her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership at California State University, Channel Islands. Her work experience includes a diverse range of customer service and administrative/office-based positions. In her spare time, she volunteers as a member of the board of directors for a non-profit organization, committed to supporting and mentoring women of color in higher education. Tiffany’s identity as a first-generation Latina student has led her to find a passion in helping others and using the knowledge she has gained from lived experiences and education to help others navigate college and university campuses

SfS2 Assessment and Evaluation
Email: tiffany.carrillo@csun.edu

Spencer J. H. Yang

Kathleen Pohl

Kathleen Pohl provides administrative support to the SfS2 grant and is the Assistant to the Dean for the College of Engineering and Computer Science at California State University, Northridge. She has been with CSUN for 30 years. In addition to her current position she has worked as a Financial Analyst in the Library, Office Manager and Administrative Assistant for the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and as an Accounting Technician for the Center on Disabilities.

SfS² Project Administrative Support
Office Phone: (818) 677-4501
Email: kathleen.pohl@csun.edu