Jeannine Slater, DirectorJeannine Slater is a first generation, low-income student and an alumni of San Jose State University where she completed her Bachelor’s in the Social Sciences and her Master’s in Education. She worked with the ASPIRE Program and then moved to the McNair Program after the grant was awarded in 1996. In 1999, Jeannine was contracted by the Alum Rock School District to work with district representatives and local community organizations to design, coordinate and facilitate the National Children Health Initiative Program for the twenty-five schools in the district. She developed and implemented a school based outreach that became both a state and national model for the Department of Health and the Department of Education. After being awarded the Consumers’ Union Award for Outstanding Service in Children’s Health and a Recognition Award for Work with the Children’s Health Initiative from President Clinton she toured California’s school districts helping them set up a similar model. She then joined the team at National Hispanic University as their Director of Enrollment and Undergraduate Services. While there, she implemented a new Student Academic Assistance Center through a Title V Grant, Directed the Upward Bound Program, and taught classes for Teacher Education and the Summer Bridge Program. However, her love has always been TRiO Programs and SJSU, so she returned four years ago to be director for ASPIRE/McNair. Ms Slater also has served on planning committee of the Northern California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education for 16 years the last six as chair.
Manuel Salazar, Assistant DirectorManuel Salazar started with the ASPIRE Program as a Peer Advisor in the fall of 1995. While completing his B.A. in Sociology with a Mexican American Studies minor, and his M.A. in Counselor Education, he assisted with the conception and development of ASPIRE's First Year Experience program. Now in the position of coordinating this effort, he oversees the services provided to ASPIRE's students.
Manuel also coordinated a consortium of Student Support Services TRiO programs at two and four year institutions across Northern California. Because of this effort, students are now receiving a seamless transition of support services as they transfer to San Jose State University from the community college system.
When not confined to the walls of the office, Manuel can be found in Tahoe with his snowboard strapped to his feet, frolicking in the sands at the beach, or at the Oakland Coliseum cheering for the Raiders, A's, and Warriors.
Lois Mardis, Beyond The Baccalaureate CoordinatorLois graduated with a B.A in Social Work from San Jose State University. She continued her graduate studies at SJSU in Counseling Education. During her educational process, she joined the ASPIRE Program as a student peer advisor. After she graduated with her Master's degree in education, she accepted a position at the University of Phoenix as an Academic Counselor. During her stay there, she took classes and received a Masters of Arts in Organizational Management. Although she enjoyed working with students that worked in a corporate setting, her heart was most happy working with students in a traditional university setting. After three years she left University of Phoenix to pursue her goal.
Lois loves working with students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds because she shares the same background and obstacles. She is the first in her family to receive a graduate degree. She is a single mother with three children. "It was well worth the struggle to attend school because the degrees I achieved for myself are oftentimes viewed as unattainable. But I have a philosophy, if you put your head and your heart into the goals you set for yourself, they can and will be attained. Keep your eyes on the prize."
Angelica Ochoa, Administrative CoordinatorAngelica started with the ASPIRE Program as a participant during her undergraduate career in 2001. Once completing her B.S. in Criminal Justice in 2003, she took on the role of Administrative Coordinator for both the ASPIRE and McNair Scholars Programs. Since then, she started her graduate work in the Counselor Education Program and began her role as an ASPIRE Advisor.
In the summer of 2006 and summer of 2007 Angelica participated in a Service Learning Project led by one of her professors, taking her to Zambia, Africa. There she worked with university students from UNZA to serve the needs of the surrounding communities with a special focus on street children. Besides Africa, Angelica has also traveled to Egypt and London and hopes to add more destinations to her traveling endeavors. Although Angelica really enjoys working with her students and being part of their academic journey, she also enjoys spending time with friends and family, enjoying numerous outdoor activities.
Lizette Berrospe, Peer AdvisorLizette Berrospe went to Los Altos High School then followed into San Jose State University. She has majored in Health Science and minored in Biological Science. Her involvement within the campus community illustrates her passion for helping others. She served a term with Americorps and held various leadership positions on campus. Currently, she is completing her pre-requisites to apply to for her next journey. She works at the Health Trust Foundation, SJSU Student Health Center, and for ASPIRE. In her past-time she enjoys volunteering as a Medical Interpreter for RotaCare Free Clinic of San Jose and being part of various community committees that celebrate health advocacy.
Lizette has been a Peer Advisor since January 2007 and enjoys working with students of all various majors. She loves to see students have personal growth, get involved and passionate of their area of study. Lizette is known for event planning and her love for decorations : ) !
Minh Pham, Peer AdvisorMinh Pham started working as a Peer Advisor for the ASPIRE program in 2007. Since then, she has become the obvious favorite of staff and students alike. Minh has one year left in her pursuit of a Journalism degree. She will be the arts and entertainment editor for the Spartan Daily in the fall of 2009 and will also have a bi-weekly opinion column out. Food is the way to this advisor's heart and gifts of such manner will always be accepted and appreciated.
Claudia Gonzalez, Peer AdvisorThe ASPIRE Program is happy to have Claudia Gonzalez as one of the newest additions to our family! Claudia is a Communication Studies major with a double minor in Sociology and Business here at San Jose State University. She was an active participant of the UC Berkeley Upward Bound Program and continues her student involvement at SJSU by being an active participant of the ASPIRE Program. She may look familiar to you as she had worked in the Bursar's Office for the past year. She has always had a passion for activism and making a difference within her community, which is why she hopes to attain her dream one day directing a TRiO program or a non-profit organization geared towards low-income students.
Claudia is an artistic individual who enjoys having fun and trying new things. Adventures are not an unknown domain for her, but most importantly, she enjoys spending time with her family and eating grandma's cooking!
Joshua Barousse, Peer AdvisorJoshua Barousse feels blessed to be part of the wonderful ASPIRE team. Without a doubt, his community involvement began as a young undergraduate student at SJSU, when he had the opportunity to become a student mentor for an under-served, at-risk youth in downtown San Jose. After two years as a mentor, he became the Program Coordinator of the 'Students In Action' Youth Mentorship Program of the Cesar E. Chavez Community Action Center at SJSU. Since then, Joshua has developed an infinite passion for community service learning and social justice. Upon graduation in 2007, with a B.A in Sociology with an emphasis in Community Change, and a Minor in Justice Studies at SJSU, he had decided to continue his education to prepare himself for a career in the public sector. Currently, Joshua is studying for a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree at SJSU. During his Graduate studies, he has worked as a Community Organizer with the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council in San Jose, and had recently fulfilled a Congressional internship in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Moreover, Joshua believes that this wonderful experience as a Peer Advisor with ASPIRE will give him the opportunity to empower young SJSU students to reach their full potential and ensure that their time at SJSU is indeed a transformative experience for them to grow as an individual and perform to the very best of their ability.
When not working with his students, Joshua enjoys sports, music, reading, writing, community organizing, dominoes, mixed martial arts, practicing his faith, and spending time with friends and family.
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."- Barack Obama
Now, let's go CHANGE the world!
Diana Lin, Clerical AssistantDiana Lin started working for the ASPIRE Program in the fall of 2007. As a Clerical Assistant, you can find her waiting to meet and greet you in the front office. Aside from her Clerical duties, Diana is also a participant in ASPIRE and regularly volunteers for the summer FYE program. She is currently working on her Civil Engineering degree and hopes to graduate in the next few years. After graduating, she hopes to travel to developing countries and work internationally in Construction Management. If she is not at work, you can find her studying hard in the library or at home playing with her cat, Keiko.
Steven Prudencio, Clerical AssistantSteven Prudencio is one of our newest additions to the ASPIRE team. He started working here in February of 2009 and is still learning everything it takes to be a great Clerical Assistant. As one of the first people you see upon arrival, he happily greets you with a warm welcome and a contagious smile.
Originally born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Steven moved to San Jose, California to embark on a new and prosperous journey as a student here at SJSU. He is currently majoring in Graphic Design and will soon be adding Photography as his minor with the hopes of one day becoming a game designer, graphics specialist, and a professional photographer. He is also very much involved with campus life as the Historian for both QTIP and the ASPIRE Student Organization, and a peer mentor for the on campus LGBT peer-mentoring service called Peers In Pride.
In his free time, you can find this student watching anime, drawing, working on his photography, spending time with friends, long-boarding around campus, or surfing the net. So if you him around campus don’t hesitate to say "Hi!"
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