Meet the Advising Team

Maureen is a native Angeleno. She graduated from UCLA with 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, the beach, and spending time with her family and son.

Jennifer was born and raised in southern California. She majored in history at Azusa Pacific University and went on to receive her master’s degree in Postsecondary Education and Student Affairs at USC. Prior to becoming an academic advisor at Marshall, Jen served in the development office at Pepperdine University and worked as an advisor to the Pepperdine Ambassadors Council. In addition to advising students, Jen oversees internal transfer admissions, minor advising, Marshall scholarships for continuing students and is involved in the Marshall Connections Program (MCP).  In her free time, Jen enjoys reading, cooking for her family and friends, and spending time near the beach.

Ellecia grew up in San Diego, California and completed high school in Texas. She received a BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University and a MBA in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University. Prior to joining Marshall, Ellecia lived in the Pacific Northwest where she worked at Portland State University in University Advancement. Ellecia also worked as an Academic Advisor in the College of Arts & Sciences Advising Center at Washington State University Vancouver where she advised students majoring in Biology and Environmental Science. Ellecia oversees our Marshall Peer Tutoring Program (MPT) and upper division elective and minor advising efforts.  During her free time, Ellecia likes to travel, read and spend time with her family.

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 is currently pursuing a Executive Master’s of Leadership in the Price School at USC.  Mayra  leads our efforts related to the World Bachelor’s in Business (WBB) program and is involved in our New Student Orientation.  In her free time, Mayra enjoys traveling, camping and spending time with her family and friends.

Monika was born and raised in Southern California. She earned her BA degrees in International Economics and Spanish from University of California, Los Angeles, and her MS degree in College Counseling and Student Services from California State University, Northridge. Prior to joining the Marshall Undergraduate Advising team, Monika worked as a Counselor at USC’s Financial Aid Office and served as an Academic Advisor at the Leventhal School of Accounting. In addition to advising business students, Monika oversees our Marshall First-Year Experience (FYE) Program, and assists with scholarship selection and minor advising efforts. In her free moments, Monika enjoys swimming, dancing, exploring new places, and spending time with her family and friends.

Born and raised in New York City, Katrina received a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education/Special Education from New York University, and went on to pursue a Master of Arts in Postsecondary and Higher Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to moving to Los Angeles and joining USC, Katrina served as the Assistant Director of New Student Programs at Baruch College, CUNY in Manhattan, New York. Katrina has experience in a variety of areas in higher education including the first-year experience, orientation, leadership development, and student activities. At Marshall, she is involved in New Student Orientation and the Marshall Connections Program (MCP). In her spare time she enjoys traveling, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.

Jeff Teng received 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’s experience in financial aid and academic advising will make him a valuable resource to our students. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys going to the movies and watching live shows and concerts.

Born and raised in southern California, Norma attended the University of California, Irvine and received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature. After working in the private sector, Norma went on to earn a Masters in Public Administration from CSU Dominguez Hills where she researched educational attainment and graduation rates of Latino students at the CSU. She previously worked at USC with the Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education before moving to Seattle to pursue a Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington (UW) where she focused on the access and retention of first generation, underrepresented, and low-income students. Prior to joining Marshall, she was with UW’s College Assistance Migrant Program for five and a half years where she served first as the academic adviser then as assistant director.  Norma brings to USC a variety of experiences in higher education including academic advising, student programming, and leadership development. In her spare time, Norma enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and exploring new restaurants.

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.

Mallika was born and raised in Agoura Hills, California. She attended the University of California, Riverside and received a BA in Political Science. During her undergraduate career, Mallika interned at the university's International Student Resource Center for over two years. Her experiences working with a diverse student population at a college institution prompted her to pursue a career in Student Affairs at USC. Prior to joining Marshall, she has experience working in various industries including entertainment, finance and K-12 education. In her spare time, Mallika enjoys cooking, traveling and watching food & home decorating shows.

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)!

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.

Natalie is a Philadelphia native who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh (PITT) with a degree in rhetoric and communication, concentrating in media studies and marketing. After interning with both PITT media relations and The Philadelphia Eagles' marketing, she instead discovered a deeply-rooted passion for working with students and connecting communities to resources. Expanding her foundation in this area, she spends most of her time mentoring and volunteering while currently pursuing a master's degree in counseling at the USC Rossier School of Education. Prior to her role at Marshall, Natalie worked as a college advisor through Rossier's Center for Enrollment Research, Policy, and Practice, where she assisted first-generation, low-income, underrepresented, high school seniors with the college application process. Additionally, she has had positions with Rossier's Office of Admissions and Scholarships, A Place Called Home, the Los Angeles Education Partnership, and Los Angeles Team Mentoring. Natalie is a daughter, sister, aunt, friend, ally, and dog mom. She spends her free time enjoying music, playing and watching sports, training her dogs, working on creative projects, relaxing outside, and visiting her family and friends back East.