Welcome to San Jose City College From the Counseling Team
The Counseling Department is committed to providing quality, comprehensive academic, career, and personal counseling services in a supportive environment to assist students in achieving their educational and vocational goals and empowering them to make informed choices and decisions. Not sure where to start or how to reach your academic or career goals? Need help developing your educational plan? Just need to talk to someone? The SJCC Counseling Department is here to help! Meeting with a counselor is one of the most important things you can do during your college career at San Jose City College. The Counseling Department is located in the Student Service Center (2nd floor, SC-200) Phone: (408) 288-3750 Please meet the counselors
Carlos Chavez M.A. Degree San Jose State University B..A. Degree Cal State Monterey Bay Languages: Spanish and English I m a full-time counselor in the General Counseling Department. Throughout college, I worked a variety of jobs. Most of my jobs were flexible, so I could attend college and parent my children. While attending graduate school, I was hired as an adjunct instructor at Hartnell College and soon after was hired at Cabrillo College as well. For several years, I worked the typical adjunct life in between two colleges. In 2012, I was hired full-time at San Jose City College. I became a Counselor because my mentor, an EOP&S counselor, whom influenced my life in a positive manner. My mentor was instrumental in my success as a college student. I decided that I wanted to influence others to obtain a higher education and subsequently chose my profession as counselor. I am passionate about first generation college students obtaining a college education, social justice, and the conservation of State and Federal Parks. The best part about working at SJCC is working with different cultures. In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, experiencing the natural beauty that the outdoors provides and gardening. I also enjoy traveling in Latin America. I feel that traveling is an educational experience and I recommend it to all my students. Keep close to Nature s heart and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. John Muir
Lezra Chenportillo Ed.D. In progress, ABD - USC M.Ed Degree Point Loma Nazarene University & M.F.A Degree - USC B..A. Degree USC Languages: Spanish and English I m a full-time counselor in the Career Transfer Center. I teach Guide 010, and Guide 096. Before coming to SJCC in 2015, I worked at Skyline College, USC, Mount Saint Mary s College and Downtown College Prep. I am most passionate about my family my wife and our son are the center of my world. I am also passionate about teaching, learning, and issues of social justice. Counseling for me feels like a calling, more than it does a profession. I come to it from a place of service and a belief that education can transform anyone s life for the better. That was my own story, as a first generation college student I was raised in East Los Angeles, very poor and by a single mother. When I first stepped onto a college campus it was a complete culture shock. I am passionate about what I do because I believe in the beauty of our students dreams and I want someone at their side helping to create the roadmap that helps them achieve their goals. For me, there is no work more rewarding than standing with our students when they ve been accepted to a 4-year university, and receive their degree at Commencement. In my spare time, I love to take bike rides, especially along the Bay trail.
Meiko Daire M.S. Degree Grand Canyon University B.A. Degree Pepperdine University I m a full-time counselor in the General Counseling Department I teach Guidance 096 both online and on campus. Prior to SJCC, I taught Career and Life planning at Santa Monica College, and at Los Angeles Southwest College. I was a general counselor, a TRIO Scholars counselor and a Career Technical Education (CTE) counselor. I have over 15 years of CTE and running internship programs at Santa Monica High School. Prior to working in education, I was a marketing coordinator for the Walt Disney Company film distribution in-theater marketing department. I chose this profession because I found myself counseling students more and more while teaching career technical courses at Santa Monica High School and placing students at internships in the community. I also knew I wanted to work as a community counselor since I went to West LA College and transferred to Pepperdine. Community College which was a springboard for my entire career from entertainment to counseling. The best part about SJCC is working with amazing people who care about student success just as much as I do! In my spare time, I read and travel with my husband and three daughters.
Mary Denham M.S. Degree CSU Fresno B..A. Degree CSU Fresno A.A. Degree Fresno City College I m a full-time counselor in the SAS (Student Accessibility Services) Department since January 2014. I teach Guidance 119 and PED 023. I ve also worked at Gavilan College as a DSPS Counselor and the Department of Rehabilitation as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. I also have 20 years experience teaching Group exercise in private and public settings. I chose this profession because it is very fulfilling to assist individuals in reaching their highest potential. I am truly passionate about helping students overcome any imitations or obstacles toward achieving their Education, Career, and Personal Goals. The best part about working at SJCC is working alongside inspiring and supportive Faculty/Staff and experiencing student success! In my spare time, I enjoy traveling to new places and spending time with family and my twins.
Alma Garcia M.A. Degree San Jose State University Languages: Spanish and English I m a full-time counselor in the META s Department since fall 2016. I also teach Guide 050A. I have a Master s Degree in Social Work and master s in Counseling from San Jose State University. I was the first person in my family to receive a university degree. I attribute my educational accomplishes to my family, friends, and mentors. I chose this profession because I enjoy helping people and I m passionate about serving first-general to college students. I have been a counselor for more than five years at different local community college and different special programs. Outside of education, I have worked as a Social Worker for the State of California, San Mateo County, and Kaiser. In my spare time, I like to travel with family and friends.
Rachel Hagan M.A. Degree Sonoma State B.A. Degree UC Santa Cruz I m a full-time counselor in the General Counseling Department. I teach Guidance 096, Guide 130, and Guide 097A, 050A, and 050B. I conduct pre-nursing workshops, Probation/Dismissal workshops, and Study Skills workshops. I am also the coordinator for the Pathway to Law, and co-coordinate HBCU tours. Prior to working at SJCC, I worked as a counselor at Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa High School, and Piner High School Early College Program. I ve held various other positions throughout my career, including being a gymnastics instructor and judge. I chose this profession because I have always loved school. I was contemplating going to law school, but when I thought about what I enjoyed most, it was school. I had a counselor in high school who wasn t helpful, and I knew I wanted to the opposite of who she was. I love to encourage students to find their passion and pursue their goals. I m passionate about politics, helping other people, social justice, and the musical Hamilton. The best part about working at SJCC is the diversity of the students, staff, faculty and administration. We educate some of the most amazing students and have many terrific programs and opportunities for our students. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, watching TV shows, movies, comedy clubs, dancing, and hanging out with friends and family. I also enjoy playing card games and home design apps.
Tuan Ngo M.S. Degree San Francisco State B..A. Degree UC Davis A.A. Degree Fresno City College Languages: Vietnamese and English I m a full-time counselor in the General Counseling Department, and I ve worked at SJCC since 2005. I provide academic and personal counseling and teach Guide 096 Career and Life Planning; and Guide- 130 College Success, each academic year.. Prior to working at San Jose City College, I worked at San Francisco State University, CSU San Bernardino, and the college of San Mateo, providing comprehensive counseling services and teaching career and student success courses. I chose this profession because I m very passionate about helping and empowering college students to achieve their educational and personal goals. In my spare time, I love to travel and see the world and experience different cultures and places.
Cac Nguyen M.A. Degree San Jose State University B..A. Degree San Jose State University Languages: Vietnamese, French and English I am an adjunct counselor for the General Counseling Department. I have been a SJCC counselor since 1999. I ve also worked at DeAnza and Mission Colleges. I believe in students and their potential to be great and successful regardless of their past and or background. To see students pursuing and realizing their academic and career goals has been a tremendous joy. For many students, here is where a second chance to a fresh start in life and for others to live their dream that has been put on hold. It starts here, and I am honored to be a part of the student s journey. The best part about working at SJCC is that it has been my home away from home for 18 years; I enjoy working with my colleagues and my work at SJCC has rewarding in many ways. I am truly grateful. I love working with students and to be a part of their academic journey. In my spare time, I enjoy quality time with my husband and children. I attend church on Sunday and enjoy reading a good book, and meeting friends for dinner and outings.
Will Reyes M.S. Degree San Francisco State University B.S. Degree San Francisco State University Languages: Spanish and English I m a full-time counselor in the General Counseling Department. I teach Guide 130, and Guide 096. I ve also worked with Making Waves Education Program: Coordinator/Outreach Advocate for 5 th - 12 th grade, and I ve worked as a counselor at Laney College, Cañada College, and Chabot College. I m passionate about family, sports, and life-long self-development. I once heard the following: Help that doesn t Help, isn t Help. The counseling department strives to provide the appropriate help for all students. The best part about working at SJCC is the college motto Inspiring Success one student at a Time. I get an opportunity each day to be a part of the process to empower individuals and families to accomplish wellness, education, and career goals. In my spare time, I exercise, coach youth sports (baseball and soccer), and enjoy vacationing with family.
Beverly Stewart M.S. Degree San Jose State University B.S. Degree - San Jose State University A.A. Degree West Valley College I m a full-time counselor in the General Counseling Department. Before arriving at SJCC in 2015, I worked as the Outreach and Recruitment Counselor at Evergreen Valley. I also worked as an adjunct counselor at West Valley, Mission, and Foothill College for several years. I have established great working relationships with our local high schools, and serve as the liaison with San Jose Unified, East Side Union, and Milpitas High School Districts. I also have the privilege of working with the San Jose Promise Program, the 2021 Scholars Program, as well as Dual and Concurrent Enrollment students. I began my college career at West Valley College, enrolling in 18 units my first semester, and struggling with my work and school load. I was the first person in my family to attend college, and although my family was supportive, they couldn t help guide me. I had a wonderful counselor at West Valley College, who believed in my ability, helped me establish an educational goal, and followed me through to graduation. Because of him, I became passionate about helping others achieve their goal! The best part about working at SJCC is the dynamic student population that we serve. It s a great place to work, a great place to see dreams realized, and a profession that I would choose all over again. In my spare time I like to exercise, cook, garden, attend Sharks games, and spend quality time with my husband, daughter, and friends.