Meet the team in your College of SSIS Student Success Center!

Ysabella Beltran - Front Desk Student Assistant

I'm a third-year political science major here at Sac State! I hope to be a helpful resource to my fellow SSIS majors & assist them in any way I can. See you in Tahoe Hall!

Jennifer Pham - Graduate Counselor Intern

Hello! My name is Jennifer, and I am a second-year student in the M.S. in Counseling program here at Sacramento State, concentrating in Career Counseling. Before joining the Counseling program, I received my B.S. in Psychology and minor in Counseling at Sacramento State. As a first-generation student, I understand that there are some challenges associated with navigating college. I hope that in my role, I can support you through your college journey, whether you are just starting out or about to graduate. Outside of work and classes, I love spending time with friends and family, cuddling my dog, listening to music, and playing cozy games. I am excited to connect with and support you in your academic career!

Christian Lonero - Graduate Counselor Intern

Moving all the way from Salinas, I obtained my BA of Psychology at Sacramento State in 2024. Now, I am working on my master's degree in counseling, with a concentration in school counseling! I have been lucky enough to work with students of (almost) all ages and am looking forward to serving the community. I enjoy reading, writing and building decks for strategic trading card games! I hope to be able to find a profession in the future where I can serve students and get them to where they want to go.

Madison Barragan - Graduate Counselor Intern

Hi, I’m Madison Barragan! I am currently in my 3rd year of the Master’s in Counseling program here at Sacramento State, with an expected graduation of Class of 2027! Before joining the program, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Pre-Credential History. I am excited to be a part of the SSIS Center team as a Graduate Intern, and I look forward to growing, learning, and making a meaningful impact alongside such an incredible group of people. Before stepping into the counseling world, I was a collegiate athlete and spent five rewarding years as a high school coach, working with Sprinters and Jumpers. Those experiences taught me the power of mentorship, dedication, and showing up for others. These are the values I carry with me every day. When I’m not studying or supporting students, you can find me curled up with a good book, enjoying a Studio Ghibli movie marathon, or spending quality time with my lovely cat, Randy.

Elizabeth Jaimes Yepez - Graduate Counselor Intern

Hello! My name is Elizabeth Jaimes Yepez (she/her/ella), I am a Graduate Counselor Intern at SSIS Student Success Center. I am passionate about helping students navigate their journey through higher education and helping them meet their goals by providing them with the proper information and resources. I earned my B.A. in Psychology and Spanish from Stanislaus State, and I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in Career Counseling at Sac State. During my free time I love to cook for myself and my family while enjoying my favorite music. I also love going to concerts and going on road trips to new places where I can interact with nature.

Eduardo Ramirez - Graduate Counselor Intern

Hi! I’m Eduardo Ramirez but you can also call me Eddie. A little about me is that I earned my B.A. in Psychology and am currently a graduate student in Counselor Education at Sacramento State. I love to support students as they navigate school, career goals, and their next steps. I’m passionate about helping others feel supported, understood, and more confident in their journey.

Joshua Shaw - Peer Success Leader

After earning my bachelor's degree in psychology from Sacramento State in Spring 2026, I began exploring graduate programs in counseling while continuing my work supporting students. As a Peer Success Leader and Peer Mentor, I have enjoyed helping students navigate college, discover resources, and achieve their goals. I hope to pursue a career in academic advising, student support, or counseling, where I can continue making a positive impact on students' lives. Outside of work, I enjoy video games, anime, and spending time with my wife. I'm excited to be part of SSIS and look forward to meeting and supporting students from all backgrounds.

Aurelia Hayes - Integrated Advisor

Hello! My name is Aurelia, and I am the Integrated Advisor for the College of SSIS. I earned a Bachelor’s in Sociology with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship at UC Santa Cruz. After I graduated from UCSC, I moved to Paris for three years and completed a master's in American studies at Paris-Sorbonne University. After a few years trying out different professional fields, including teaching, working in libraries and the food industry, I decided I wanted to pursue counseling and work with students one-on-one. I graduated from Sacramento State’s M.S. in Counseling program with a specialization in Career Counseling in 2023. I love working with all our wonderful SSIS students and helping them achieve their academic and professonal goals semester by semester and finally seeing them graduate and walk the stage! In my free time, I love to go on long walks and listen to music, cook and try out new recipes, go to dance classes and cuddle with my polydactyl cat Mahina. I look forward to meeting you and helping you along your student journey!

PaHoua Lee - Student Success Coordinator

I am the Student Success Coordinator for the College of SSIS and the Student Success Center. I earned my B.S. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and my M.S. in Higher Education Leadership (Post-Secondary, Technical, and Adult Education) from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. As a first-generation college student myself, I know the value of support and guidance along the way. I've had the privilege to work with historically underrepresented middle and high school students through TRIO programs and later served as an Academic Counselor at San Francisco State University before moving to my current role here. What I enjoy most about my work is building meaningful relationships with students, learning alongside them, and witnessing "aha" moments when they discover their own solutions to personal and academic goals. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family including my two energetic little humans, a 5 1/2 year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter, going on leisure hikes, and continuing my own learning through reading.

Mayrose Acob - Senior Graduation and Retention Coordinator

I’m Mayrose, Senior Graduation and Retention Coordinator for the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies (SSIS). I’ve worked in higher education for over 15 years, and I’m passionate about helping students find their path—whether that’s navigating degree requirements, clarifying goals, or staying on track to graduation. I'm originally from Hawaii and earned my B.A. in Psychology and M.S. in Counselor Education. Outside of work, I love spending time outdoors, reading, listening to music, being with my family, and cuddling with my two cats.