About Us

Established in 2001, the Student Center for Academic Achievement (SCAA) is a university-wide comprehensive learning center serving and employing students from all colleges. The SCAA serves as a one-stop-shop for academic support services on the third floor of the CORE Building. SCAA provides academic skills coaching as well as subject tutoring and writing tutoring for courses across the curriculum. Additionally, the SCAA offers embedded, collaborative support through its Writing Associates (WA), Supplemental Instruction (SI), and Peer Academic Coaching (PAC) programs.

SCAA Mission

The mission of the Student Center for Academic Achievement (SCAA) is to provide Cal State East Bay students with individual and collaborative learning opportunities within an inclusive environment fostering independent growth. The SCAA strives to cultivate adaptability, self-direction, and self-confidence through peer-to-peer support programs. SCAA services help students set achievable goals, develop academic skills, and improve subject comprehension.

SCAA Vision

The SCAA provides all CSUEB students with an inviting and intellectually-stimulating learning environment that fosters curiosity, independence, and critical thinking.

SCAA Values

Collaboration
Progress
Commitment
Belonging

SCAA Core Functions

Subject-specific academic support
Writing skills development
Foundational academic skills development
Quality professional development and growth opportunities
Collaborative cross-campus engagement efforts

Our Impact

The SCAA team is committed to providing impactful academic support services to the CSUEB community. Please visit the SCAA Impact webpage to learn more about our assessment and evaluation processes and to view our impact reports.

SCAA Director

Rachel Brunson (she/her)

Rachel joined the SCAA team in June 2022 with over a decade of experience in learning assistance / academic support services. Rachel completed her Bachelors degree in English from Notre Dame de Namur University, where she also served as a student writing tutor. She went on to graduate from the University of San Francisco (USF) in 2013 with a Master of Arts in Higher Education & Student Affairs. Rachel is currently in the dissertation stage of her doctoral degree in Organization & Leadership. On campus, Rachel is a member of the Library Management Team, the Disability Justice Working Group, the Academic Peer Support Leadership Group, the Orientation Advisory Committee, the Educational Effectiveness Council, and the GI 2025 Student Persistence & Success Committee. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, hiking, and watching sports!

Contact Rachel

SCAA Coordinators

Brandon Everett, Subject Tutoring Coordinator (he/him)

Brandon has been with the SCAA since 2017 and currently oversees the Subject Tutoring program. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing in 2017 and his Master’s degree in English in 2019, both from California State University East Bay. He has over eight years of tutoring experience and fifteen years of administrative experience both in and out of the university system. Brandon is a published author of a novel, two short story collections, and various other publications in literary journals including Livina Press, Thin Veil Press, and DarkWinter Press. His interests include the cinema and film theory, reading all things Stephen King, and of course, writing.

Bianca Meza, Peer Academic Coaching Coordinator (she/her)

Bianca joined the SCAA team in August 2025 with 10 years of experience working in college access nonprofits, early childhood education, and higher education. Her journey began during her undergraduate studies at Washington State University, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development with a focus on early childhood education. She went on to serve as an AmeriCorps College Coach and College Access Coordinator before earning her M.Ed. in Student Development at Seattle University. These experiences shaped her commitment to community, education, and possibility. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her dog.

Sara Schupack, Writing Tutor Programs Coordinator (she/her)

Sara is responsible for overseeing matters relating to the Writing Tutor and Writing Associates programs. She has always cared about writing, having kept a journal since second grade and teaching English for many years before studying education and coming back to California and writing tutoring. Her interests include film as literature, creative nonfiction, and crime stories.

Matthew Tener

Coordinator, Strategic Engagement & Academic Support

Matthew joined the SCAA administrative staff in late 2021 and oversees the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program and related embedded support for targeted courses at Cal State East Bay.

He earned his BA degree in English at Sacramento State and MA degree in Education at University of the Pacific. Likewise, he received his SI Supervisor certificate from the International Center for SI.

Throughout his thirteen-year career in higher education, he has managed tutoring centers and learning support programs; delivered regional early college-preparatory outreach; instructed skills-based courses and teacher education and certification workshops; and created student leadership/scholarship opportunities.

He remains dedicated to preparing equitable and timely educational experiences for students and maintaining purposeful and collaborative faculty partnerships.

SCAA Lead Employees

Angeles Buenrostro - Peer Academic Coaching Program Lead

Major: Biological Sciences with an interest in Nursing

Hometown:
Physically:Hayward, California
In my heart: Jalisco, Mexico

Angeles joined the Peer Academic Coaching program in Fall 2024. She really enjoys the help that the entire SCAA provides to all students on campus and loves that a couple of minutes with anyone there can make a big difference in someone's day and/or life! She is currently working towards her bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences while also getting as well prepared as possible to soon hopefully apply to nursing programs! Outside of classes and work, Angeles loves to enjoy time outdoors, spend time with loved ones, listen to music and also try out different coffee shops! (It’s a hobby). She enjoys company but also appreciates time for herself. She very strongly believes that looking and feeling well, allows you to perform super well in anything you do!

Shelby Carrancho - Writing Tutor Programs Lead

Major: Strategic Communication with a minor in Business Administration

Hometown: Hayward, CA

Shelby joined the Writing tutor program in Spring 2026. She enjoys helping students feel confident within their writing because she believes it's a valuable skill you can utilize in every aspect of life. Outside of classes and work she enjoys teaching Pilates and hanging out with friends. She has two cats named Sosa and Bogey. Her favorite food is sushi and likes spending time at coffee shops. She is very social and friendly so don’t be scared to say hi!

Maite Fernández Reyes - Marketing & Outreach Lead

Major: Video and Animation
Minor: Marketing

Hometown: Santiago, Dominican Republic

Maite joined the SCAA in the Spring of 2023 as a Supplemental Instruction Leader for subjects like Kinesiology and Philosophy, later transitioning into a Peer Academic Coach. Maite aims to help students think outside of the box and find methods that allow them to thrive throughout their academic career and beyond. Outside of classes and work, she enjoys art, reading, cooking, and playing games. She’s always down to help out or chat, so don’t be afraid to say hi!

Qi Lin - Supplemental Instruction Program Lead

Coming Spring 2026

Bella Lucas - Marketing & Outreach Lead

Major: History, Social Science Teacher Preparation

Hometown: Castro Valley, CA

Bella joined the SCAA staff in Fall 2023. In addition to her receptionist duties, she has supported PHIL 100 and HIST 111 courses through the SI program. She now works as a writing tutor and WA. She is currently working towards her bachelor's degree in history while also pursuing her single-subject teaching credential. She desires to become a high school history teacher upon completing her master's degree. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with her two cats, Crookshanks and Casper.

Aanya Malhotra - Subject Tutoring Program Lead

Major: Biological Science

Home: India

Aanya joined the Subject Tutoring program in Spring 2023. She is majoring in Biological Sciences and hopes to pursue a career in medicine. She enjoys mentoring and supporting students while also learning from every interaction. Outside of school and work, Aanya loves traveling, trying out new coffee shops, and spending time with friends and family. She believes that even small acts of encouragement can make a big difference in someone’s journey.

JP Nettleton - Writing Tutor Programs Lead

Major: Business Administration

Hometown: Castro Valley, CA

JP joined the SCAA as a writing tutor in August 2024. Since then, he’s enjoyed building connections with students and coworkers whether through tutoring sessions or while working the front desk. He’s passionate about helping students grow as writers and gain confidence in their work. When he’s not on campus, JP loves getting outdoors, hiking with his dog Bailey, exploring new places, and listening to music.