Meet the Advising Team

Maureen was born and raised in Los Angeles. A first generation college graduate, she attended UCLA where she earned a BA in Psychology, an MA in Higher Education and Work, and a PhD in Higher Education and Organizational Change. While in graduate school, her research focused on student retention and the impact of college on students' attitudes and values. Maureen has a wide range of experience in the area of undergraduate education, and she was the Senior Dean of the Advising Center at Columbia University prior to coming to USC in 2008. Previously, she oversaw Instructional Improvement Programs in UCLA's Office of Instructional Development and student retention and international programs at UCLA Summer Sessions. In her free time, Maureen enjoys travel, reading, hiking, community science, and spending time with her family and son.

Katrina Miranda was born and raised in Southern California. She majored in Political Science and Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. As an undergraduate, she worked as an orientation counselor and enjoyed assisting students transition into the university. After that experience, she decided to pursue a Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she served as a graduate assistant in the Columbia University School of Social Work Office of Admissions. Katrina went on to complete a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Administration at the USC Rossier School of Education. Prior to joining Marshall, Katrina served as an academic advisor for the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences for more than eleven years. Katrina is the lead for the Business of Cinematic Arts emphasis program and our New Student Orientation. In her free time, Katrina enjoys hiking, traveling, spending time with her family and friends, checking out new restaurants, and considers herself a "foodie."

Jeff earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies with an emphasis in Organization in the American Workplace at UC Berkeley. After graduating from Berkeley, Jeff moved back to Southern California and earned his Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs at USC. While earning his degree, Jeff also worked full time at the USC Financial Aid Office as a counselor and the Senior Assistant Director of the Aid Coordination unit. After leaving the financial aid office, Jeff spent five years as Assistant Director at Viterbi Admissions and Student Affairs where he served as an Academic Advisor to primarily first-year Engineering students. Jeff came to Marshall in 2016 serving first as an Academic Advisor and then as Assistant Director leading Marshall Academic Resources. He has also been involved in our Orientation, BCA, and Transfer Success Program teams.  In his spare time, Jeff enjoys going to the movies and watching live shows and concerts.

Mayra was born and raised in Southern California. Prior to joining USC Marshall, she spent eight years working at Mount St. Mary's College (MSMC) in Los Angeles in the Registrar's Office and then the Advisement Center where she first served as an Academic Advisor and then as Associate Director. She completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology at MSMC and has completed an Executive Master's of Leadership in the Price School at USC.  Mayra  leads our efforts related to the Marshall Recognized Student Organizations.  In her free time, Mayra enjoys traveling, camping and spending time with her family and friends.

Tina was born and raised in sunny southern California in Garden Grove, California after her parents left their homeland in Vietnam. She first attended Orange Coast College and transferred to the University of California, Berkeley to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare with an emphasis in Education and Asian American Studies. She started her professional pathway in education by working with middle school students, but later realized she was interested in finding her way back into higher education. Prior to joining Marshall, she served as an Assistant Director and Senior Assistant Director with Undergraduate Admission for over four years and brings a variety of experience in working with both freshmen and transfer students, developing social media efforts, building the Transfer Student Ambassador program, and hosting overnight programs. In addition, she pursued and recently completed her Master of Education in Educational Counseling with USC's Rossier School of Education. You can always find her immersed in the beauty of nature, trying new food spots, creating music, and spending time with loved ones in her free time. Go bears, but fight on (forever)!

Allie is originally from Pittsburgh, PA. As an undergraduate at Harvard she majored in Romance Languages and Literatures, concentrating in French and Francophone Studies. After college, she moved to Los Angeles and worked in the film industry before finding her way to into higher education as an Academic Advisor at the Kuwait Cultural Office. After earning her master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Louisiana State University, Allie served as the Coordinator for Transition Programs at Colorado State University. Allie has extensive experience working with new students as they transition into college, including in the areas of program development, student leadership development, and transfer student support. She is excited to bring these skills to the undergraduate advising team at Marshall and empower Marshall students to achieve their goals. Outside of work, Allie loves adventuring with her dog, reading, and sampling the amazing food options in and around southern California.

Daisy Villa is originally from the sunny Southern California neighborhood of Gardena, but she also calls Philadelphia her second home. After receiving her B.A in Human Development and Social Relations from Kalamazoo College in Michigan, she relocated to Philadelphia where she worked in college success and retention initiatives for under-resourced communities and decided to pursue her M.S.Ed in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Daisy worked at Philadelphia Higher Education for Neighborhood Development (PHENND) at UPenn overseeing a college retention program called the Next Steps AmeriCorps, supporting first- generation and economically disadvantage college students through civic engagement, mentorship and leadership development. Most recently, Daisy worked as an Academic Navigator at Mills College within the office of Advising, Career and Global Learning where she provided academic support to students on academic probation. Daisy enjoys bike rides along her neighborhood, exploring new restaurants and spending time with her family.

Elizabeth Rubalcava was born and raised in Southern California. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from UC Riverside, where she was a Peer Mentor and first realized her passion for helping students succeed. She went on to earn a Master of Education in Student Affairs from UCLA. Prior to becoming an Academic Advisor at USC, Elizabeth was an Academic Advisor at Cal State LA, an intern at the LGBT Campus Resource Center at UCLA, and a Program Assistant at the Academic Resource Center at UC Riverside. Elizabeth is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for students and empowering them to achieve their personal and academic goals. In her free time, she loves to read, go camping with her dog, and spend time with family and friends.

Jesús is from the City of Roses, Portland, OR. He earned a BS in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University. Through his involvement in university programs and student organizations, he discovered a passion for working in higher education to facilitate learning, retention, and student success.

He went on to earn an MS in College Counseling and Student Development from Azusa Pacific University. During his graduate experience, he worked in multicultural affairs at APU and residence life at Pepperdine. Prior to joining USC and Marshall, he worked at his alma mater, Oregon State University, as a Resident Director for 3.5 years, and an Academic Advisor for the College of Public Health and Human Sciences for 3 years.

Jesús enjoys spending time with his partner and goldendoodle, hanging out with family and friends, cooking, eating, listening to music, dancing, and watching movies or TV shows. He is thrilled to join the Trojan family and excited to help students Fight On!

LaDonja is a California native, born and raised in South Central LA. She is the oldest of five children, and the first in her family to receive a graduate degree. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication Studies from CSU Long Beach and a Master's of Education in Student Affairs from UCLA. Prior to joining Marshall, LaDonja began her career at UCLA, working for the Early Academic Outreach Program, the Dean of Students Office, and the World Arts and Cultures/Dance Department. She loves working with students and finds so much joy in serving and providing students with the support and resources they need to succeed in their academic and personal journeys. In her spare time, Donja loves to bake, listen to music, travel, and spend time with her family and friends.

Krystle is originally from the Bay Area but has lived in Southern California for over 10 years. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Education. After working in informal education for several years, Krystle went on to earn her master’s degree in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs at USC. Prior to becoming an academic advisor at Marshall, Krystle served as a student services advisor for the USC Price School of Public Policy. In her free time, Krystle enjoys spending time with her family and friends, kickboxing, trying new food, and exploring new places.

Steve was born and raised in Southern California. He earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus in Business Administration and Management from California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). He also earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance and Financial Management Services from CSULA.

Before joining the USC Academic Advising team, Steve served as an academic advisor for four years at CSULA and was an administrative analyst for undergraduate students for three years prior to advisement. Steve's years of dedication for advising students is demonstrated in the individualized care he shows each student in trying to help achieve their academic goals and strive both during their undergraduate careers and future aspirations. In his free time, Steve enjoys watching movies, spending time with his family and friends, and exploring different restaurants in Southern California.

Cristian was born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles. He is a first-generation graduate and earned a BA in English Creative Writing and a minor in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Northridge. His interest in higher education began with his affiliation with the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). He then pursued his Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (PASA) at USC Rossier School of Education. Throughout his graduate experience, he worked two Graduate Assistantships for UCLA Athletics and Cal-SOAP LA. Additionally, an internship in Digital Media that he had since his undergrad. Prior to joining Marshall, he worked for Occidental College, GEAR UP 4 LA as an Academic Advisor supporting students in his community. His values as an advisor are to maintain communication, persistence, optimism and be holistic. He stands by educational equity in all respects. Cristian values mentoring students and supporting their educational goals. On his free time, he enjoys walks on the beach, hikes during sunsets, traveling, and spending time with his loved ones.

Jasmine was born and raised in Southern California in the beautiful town Culver City. She chose to attend California State University, Northridge immediately after graduating from high school. She went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies in 2015 and a Master's degree in Higher Education Leadership in 2021. She was introduced to academic advising as a profession when she obtained a position as peer mentor in 2013. Through that position, she was able to gain confidence in her ability to communicate and help fellow students on their journey toward degree completion. Shortly after completion of her Bachelor's degree, she was fortunate to begin a full-time staff position as an academic advisor for juniors and seniors specifically. She eventually went on to earn her Master's degree in order to learn more about the history of higher education and how to better serve and ever-growing, diverse population of students. When she has free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching TV shows and movies, and finding new restaurants to try. Finally yet importantly, she is a "big kid" at heart and loves everything Disney.

Patricia was born and raised in Southern California. She moved to Seattle after high school to attend Seattle University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her most memorable experience at Seattle University was serving as peer mentor for the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Patricia also attended the University of Washington where she received certificates in Project Management and Contract Management & Design. While in Seattle, Patricia worked with a global consultancy for six years and enjoyed supporting their Education Initiatives. She is excited to be a part of an institution and culture that fosters student success. In her free time she enjoys traveling, watching sports, and spending time with her family.

Alexander, raised in Arizona, left the desert behind to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from USC. While in attendance, Alexander worked both as a Resident Advisor, guiding first-year students living on-campus, and an Office Assistant in the Admissions and Student Services department of the School of Dramatic Arts. After graduating, he returned to the Trojan Family to work with the Marshall Undergraduate Advising and Student Services Team. In his spare time, Alexander maintains a passion for theatre, writing, and the occasional song and dance.