UGRD Staff Profiles

Sofia grew up in San Jose, and her own college journey didn't follow a straight line, and that's exactly why she loves what she does. She started at San José City College, transferred to UC Santa Barbara, and spent a year studying abroad in Bologna, Italy, an experience that changed how she saw the world and herself. Along the way, she spent two years with UC Berkeley's college access program, helping high school students figure out their own path to college. Now she brings all of that, the transfer experience, the culture shock of living abroad, and a genuine love for this work, to helping students and families feel less alone in the college process. She's excited to help students find their own experiences that will challenge them, support their goals, and set them up to make a real difference in their communities.

Sofía creció en San José, y su propio camino hacia la universidad no fue lineal, y precisamente
por eso le apasiona lo que hace. Comenzó sus estudios en San José City College, luego se
transfirió a UC Santa Barbara y pasó un año estudiando en una universidad extranjera, en
Bolonia, Italia, una experiencia que transformó la manera en que veía el mundo y a sí misma.
En el camino, trabajó durante dos años con un programa de acceso a la universidad de UC
Berkeley, apoyando a estudiantes de la preparatoria mientras descubren su propio camino
hacia la educación superior. Ahora comparte todas esas experiencias, haber sido estudiante de
transferencia, vivir el reto y el crecimiento de estudiar en otro país, y su genuina pasión por este trabajo, para ayudar a estudiantes y familias a sentirse más acompañados durante el proceso universitario. Le emociona ayudar a cada estudiante a encontrar experiencias que los reten, impulsen sus metas y los preparen para generar un impacto positivo en sus comunidades.

Degrees:
A.A. in Liberal Arts at San José City College
B.A. in Linguistics: Language, Culture, & Society at UC Santa Barbara
B.A. in Italian Studies: Transnational Italian at UC Santa Barbara

Hobbies & Interests:
Dancing folklorico, yoga, being outdoors, going to the beach, traveling, board games, cute
coffee shops, listening to music, concerts, spending time with family, and anything that relates to supporting and uplifting underrepresented communities in higher education.

Ask me about:
Transfer experience, SCU Transfer Admission Agreement, Study Abroad, speaking three languages, and coffee shop recs in the Bay Area.

• Email
  sanaya@scu.edu
• Phone
  408-554-4700
• Location
  Schott Admission & Enrollment Services Building