Extended Opportunity Programs and Services
Our Mission
EOPS is a student support programs funded by the state of California (under Title 5) designed to recruit and retain students who are economically, socially, and educationally disadvantaged by providing them with the tools and resources to help them achieve their educational goals.
Services
- Academic, Career and Personal counseling
- Student Grants and Awards
- Priority Registration
- Textbook Vouchers
- And more!
Click on an icon below to learn more about our services.
EOPS Faculty & Staff
Counselors
"Discipline is doing what needs to be done, even if you don't want or feel like doing it".
B.A. Sociology; M.S. Educational Psychology with option in Student Development in
Higher Education
-CSU Long Beach
First Generation College Student
Hobbies: Woodwork; cooking; gardening; hiking; reading; horror movies; loving on others; doggy parent; grandmother to a sweetie pie; playing poker; hanging with family; relishing my alone time with God.
"Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion."
- Michael Jordan
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
-Cal Poly Pomona
Masters of Science, Educational Counseling
-University of La Verne
1st generation college graduate.
Hobbies: Music, reading/writing, fitness, camping/hiking, video games.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"
-Wayne Gretzy
-Michael Scott
B.A. Public Administration
-CSU San Bernardino
M.A. P.P.S. Education: School and College Counseling
-Universty of Redlands
1st Generation College Student
Hobbies: Hanging out with friends and family, Eating delicious food, basketball and going to the beach.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”
-Ghandi
Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Work
-CSU San Bernardino
Master’s degree in Educational Counseling and Guidance
-CSU San Bernardino
I am first in my family to attend college
I like gardening, walking/hiking, and cooking with friends.
"The highest human act is to inspire"
-Nipsy Hussle
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts
-CSU San Bernardino
Master of Arts, PPS Credential - Counseling
-University of Redlands
1st generation college student
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, traveling, and volunteering
"Education is the best weapon through which you can fight poverty, ignorance and terrorism."
-Malala Yousafzai
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
-CSU San Bernardino
Masters of Science, Educational Counseling
-University of La Verne
I am a first-generation college student
Some of my hobbies are camping, hiking and I enjoy the outdoors, going to concerts and soccer games. I like spending time with family and friends.
"The sun will rise and we will try again."
M.A. Educational Counseling
-San Diego State University
First generation to college, formally undocumented.
My hobbies are to ride horses, spend time with my family, and play twelve string guitar.
Courtney Hall
cohall@msjc.edu
951-487-3266
"Life happens in the margins"
Broadcast Journalism
-Howard University
Master's in Social Work
-Howard University
1st generation college student
Hobbies: Knitting and karaoke
Administrative & Support Staff
Heather Jones
Director, EOPS/CARE
Primary Undocu Liaison (DREAMers)
Foster Success Initiative Liaison (Guiding Light)
hjones@msjc.edu
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel."
-Maya Angelou
B.A. Sociology
-Holy Names University
M.Ed. Counseling and Guidance
-Howard University
DMFT
-Loma Linda University - in progress
1st generation college student
Fav thing: Playing with my son, Cooking/Baking, going to the beach, and laughing ‘til it hurts
Shehnaz Aguilar
Administrative Associate I
shaguilar@msjc.edu
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not
to stop questioning.”
-Albert Einstein
A.S. Business Administration
-Mt. San Jacinto College
Hobbies: Cake and dessert decorating
Maribel Avila
Temporary Administrative Associate I
mavila@msjc.edu
"Stay Positive, Work Hard and Make it Happen"
A.S Business Administration, A.S Real Estate
-Mt. San Jacinto College
Hobbies: Baking, Cooking, Spending time with my family, and Outdoor activities
Kathy Ponio
Special Programs Assistant III
kponio@msjc.edu
“In all negatives there is a positive, if you look hard enough you will find one.”
Cosmetology degree
-Mira Costa College
Office/Business Administration
-Mt. San Jacinto College -in progress
I have worked at MSJC since 1997 starting as a student worker and temporary employee, becoming a permanent employee in 2000.
First generation college student.
Hobbies: Dancing, karaoke, spending time with children and grandchildren, the beach
Juan Mata
Special Programs Assistant II
jmata@msjc.edu
“What doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger”
-Friedrich Nietzche
A.S. Computer Drafting and Design
-ITT Technical Institute
1st generation student and first Upward Bound graduate
Hobbies: Family, travelling, and gardening
Liliana Castro
Temporary Special Programs Assistant II
licastro@msjc.edu
"Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?“
-Frida Kahlo
A.A. Social/Behavioral Science
-Mt. San Jacinto College
B.A. Sociology/Ethnic Studies
-UC Riverside
M.A. College Counseling
-Univeristy of Redlands
I am a 1st generation college student! 🙂
Hobbies: Reading, cooking vegan cuisine, and spending time with my one-year old baby, family, and dogs
Betzi Miranda
Marketing & Outreach Specialist
bmiranda@msjc.edu
“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”
-Maya Angelou
A.S. Mathematics
-Mt. San Jacinto College
1st generation college student
Hobbies: Admiring nature, cheering from the sidelines
Joanni Salgado
Student Worker
jsalgado@msjc.edu
"God is within her, She will not fall."
-Psalms 46:5
AA Liberal Arts Soc & Behavioral Sci
-Mt. San Jacinto College (in progress)
1st generation college student
Hobbies: Spending time with my children, hiking, fitness, cooking/baking