Meet Our Team

Joanna Cady Aguilar

Joanna is the Advising Coordinator for the College of Science and an advisor for freshman and sophomore students majoring in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Geology, Health Sciences, Psychology, and Public Health. She has a master’s in education, specializing in college student services administration. With over 20 years of experience as an academic advisor at CSU East Bay, Joanna has supported students in their academic journeys by providing advising, career counseling, and instruction. She always encourages students to take advantage of opportunities both within and outside of the classroom and to consider all available resources and options to support their success and reach their full potential. During her downtime, Joanna enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and dogs.

Christina Bluck

Email: christina.bluck@csueastbay.edu

Christina Bluck is the GE advisor for Nursing majors and does pre-admissions advising for the nursing program. Christina got her bachelor's degree in Psychology from University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA and her master's degree in College Student Personnel from Miami University in Oxford, OH. She is passionate about helping students succeed and supporting college students. In her free time she enjoys working on crafts, going to the gym, and spending time with friends.

Monika Chung

Email: monika.chung@csueastbay.edu

Monika is an advisor for Health Sciences, Public Health ( All ). She holds a Master's Degree in Education, specializing in teaching English as a second language. She has worked as an ESL instructor and administrator at language schools in San Francisco and Berkeley, with diverse students from across the world. She is passionate about supporting students as they navigate their academic journeys and adapt to new environments. Outside of work, she enjoys going to the gym, trying new things, exploring different cultures, and antiquing

Kristen Fu

Email: kristen.fu@csueastbay.edu
Kristen Fu is an advisor for Psychology (F - P), Environmental Sciences, and Geology ( All ). 
Born, raised, and educated in the Bay Area, Kristen brings with her a Bachelor's degree in Media Studies from UC Berkeley, and a Masters degree in Education (International and Multicultural Education) from the University of San Francisco. For over six years, she worked at College Track Oakland, providing academic coaching and college access programming to high school students, majority of whom were first generation students and from low-income backgrounds. She is passionate about educational equity, and supporting students towards their goals and being their most empowered and liberated selves. She enjoys cooking, traveling (mostly for food), hiking, experiencing live music, and going to museums.

Kelley Gove

Email: kelley.gove@csueastbay.edu
Kelley Gove is an advisor for Biological Sciences (A - P), Biochemistry, Chemistry ( All ), and Psychology (T- Z) majors  She likes school so much that she has a Ph.D. from UC Davis in Cultural Studies. She was both a Peace Corps and AmeriCorps Volunteer. She has also been part of TRIO (federally funded student services programs for first-generation and underrepresented college students) as a participant and as an advisor. She really enjoys working with students, and it is important to her that students feel supported both in and out of the classroom. When not at work, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, and reading fiction.

Morgan Grana

Email: morgan.grana@csueastbay.edu
Morgan Grana is an advisor for Computer Science (A - L), Physics (GE), and STAT (GE). She brings with her a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz and a master's degree in counseling with a specialization in higher education and student affairs from St. Mary’s College. She worked in the office of community life at Saint Mary’s where she worked on student conduct cases and with students of concern. When not at work, she enjoys going on walks and spending time with her cat.

Lisa Holmstrom

Email: lisa.holmstrom@csueastbay.edu

Lisa Holmstrom is the Advisor for the School of Engineering ( All ). She holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership along with certification in Servant Leadership from Gonzaga University. Lisa spent several years partnering with students as the Director of Career Development at a University in Puerto Rico.
As an advisor, Lisa views her role as a development coach for Engineering students. By promoting transparent communication, active cooperation, and inclusion she enjoys cultivating a safe environment for open student engagement and goal setting. In her free time, Lisa enjoys her backyard chickens, culinary adventures, gardening, traveling and wild mushroom hunting.
"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
--Malcolm X

Avel Perez

Email: avel.perez@csueastbay.edu
Avel Perez is an advisor for Biology (Q - Z), Psychology (Q - S), and Public Health (Q - Z) Degrees. Avel has a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Corporate Management. His advice for all students is “remain focused on the reason that you’re here as you prepare to go to school and graduate.”

Janet Snyder

Email: janet.snyder@csueastbay.edu

Janet Snyder is the Student Services Coordinator and advisor for Computer Science majors (A - L) and Mathematics majors ( All ).  She has a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri (Mizzou). Janet loved her advisor at Mizzou and decided she wanted to be just like her! She has worked in higher education for over 30 years, the first 20 with graduate students at the University of San Francisco. She has been an advisor with the Computer Science and Mathematics Departments at CSUEB since 2015.  

"Education is the only investment you will ever make that can never be taken from you and its value only increases over time." 

- Rev. Stephen A. Privett, S.J., former President of the University of San Francisco

Bethany Villafuerte

Email: bethany.villafuerte@csueastbay.edu
Bethany Villafuerte is an advisor for Psychology (A - E). She brings with her a degree in counseling from St. Mary’s College and experience working with both high school and college students to explore academic and career options and plan for the future. When she is not working, she enjoys: traveling, spending time with her dogs and cooking. One suggestion she has for all students is that “anyone can find success if they are willing to work for it. Your grades and degree help light the way but you still have to put one foot in front of the other.”

Evelia Jimenez

Email: evelia.jimenez@csueastbay.edu

Evelia Jimenez is an advisor for freshman and sophomore students majoring in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Construction Management, Civil/Industrial Engineering, Math, Physics, and Statistics. She has been an advisor at CSU East Bay since 2001. Born, raised, and educated in the Bay Area, Evelia is bilingual in Spanish and holds a Master’s degree in Education. She will help you navigate your first few years at CSUEB and provide you with the advising resources you need to succeed in college. Evelia understands the challenges many college students experience having herself been a first generation, low-income student. The best part of her career has by far been witnessing many students graduate and ultimately that is her hope for you too. 

KJ Palmer (they/them)

Email: kaileyjo.palmer@csueastbay.edu

KJ Palmer is the advisor for Undeclared - Interest in Nursing (UIN) students. They hold a bachelor's degree in Psychology from CSU Stanislaus and a master's degree in Higher Education Leadership from San José State University. KJ identifies as biracial (white and Filipino), a first-generation American, a first-generation college student, an eldest daughter, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. KJ believes in holistic advising, recognizing that all students possess unique strengths and a wealth of knowledge from their diverse life experiences. Their goal is to support each student in finding the path that works best for them. They also serve as a social justice advocate, collaborating on equitable practices across higher education. Outside of work and academia, KJ loves to play video games, read dystopian sci-fi, and host Dungeons & Dragons campaigns for friends.