The UC Santa Barbara Guardian Scholars Program supports the academic and personal success of students who have been part of the foster care system. Program services include academic support, enrichment services, student advocacy, career guidance, peer networking, housing assistance, and financial aid advising.
The Guardian Scholars Program at UCSB currently supports approximately 180 students. The program helps to ensure that incoming students have a smooth transition into the UCSB community and are provided with a network of services to enhance their educational experience. The program provides scholarship opportunities, community building, leadership opportunities, campus resource referrals, mentoring, social support, and much more!
Program Goals
A foundation of the UCSB Guardian Scholars Program is the belief that services or programs for foster youth should be defined by the youth themselves.
- Ensure incoming students experience a smooth transition into the UCSB community
- Provide a network of services to enhance the educational experiences of students from matriculation through graduation
- Establish a network of campus departments and personnel who will assist students as they process all university business matters (Financial Aid, Housing, registration, etc.).
- Provide academic advising that supports academic success
- Provide leadership opportunities that enhance personal growth, career enhancement, and graduate school opportunities
- Build a peer support network in which currently enrolled students serve as mentors to prospective students considering higher education
- Participate in advocacy efforts both on campus and statewide to promote awareness of issues affecting foster youth.
Contact Information
Sophia Jeffe
Coordinator, Guardian Scholars Program
Office Hours: T & TH 8am - 5pm PT
Office of Admissions, 1234 Cheadle Hall
(805) 893 -7349
sophia.jeffe@sa.ucsb.edu
Book an appointment with me!
Contact us!
If you wish to speak to anyone on our staff or wish to text in a quick question, feel free to use the following cell number: (805) 451 -1407
Stephany Rubio
Director, Guardian Scholars Program
Office Hours: M & W 8am-5pm PT
(805) 893 - 5631
Stephany.rubio@sa.ucsb.edu
Book an Appointment with me!
Peer Advocates
Our Peer Advisors are students of the Guardian Scholars Program who have been hired to assist in programmatic activities and development. As the front line staff, the Peer Advisors are the face of the program from the perspective of their fellow students. They facilitate meetings, plan and conduct student activities, and lead the student organization of the program.
Lisa Houn
Communications major
hhoun@ucsb.edu
Lisa Houn is from San Gabriel, CA and is a third-year Communications major at UCSB. In their free time, they like to watch anime, play tennis, and go to the gym. If you have any questions about the Guardian Scholars Program, feel free to reach out to them via email at hhoun@ucsb.edu.
Andrea Munoz
Sociology major
amunoz-cruz@ucsb.edu
Andrea Munoz is a Bay Area native from Richmond, CA. She is a first-gen, third-year Sociology major at UCSB, hoping to purse a career in social work. In her free time, she enjoys going on runs, hikes, cooking, and spending time with her best friends. If you have any questions about the Guardian Scholars Program reach out to her via email at amunoz-cruz@ucsb.edu.
Jeffrey Dieguez
Physical Geography major
jeffreymejiadieguez@ucsb.edu
Jeffrey Dieguez is from Pasadena, CA and is a third-year Physical Geography major at UCSB. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, surfing, and playing soccer. If you have any questions about the Guardian Scholars Program, feel free to contact Jeffrey via email at jeffreymejiadieguez@ucsb.edu.
Mireyah Hernandez
Environmental Studies major
mireyah@ucsb.edu
Mireyah Hernandez is from Pasadena, CA and is a first-gen, first-year Environmental Studies major at UCSB. In her free time, she likes to go on beach walks, binge watch Grey's Anatomy, and spend time with her friends. If you have any questions about the Guardian Scholars Program reach out to her via email at mireyah@ucsb.edu.
Departmental Liaison
The Guardian Scholars Advisory Committee is made up of a dozen UCSB staff who have volunteered to serve as their respective departmental liaisons to the program and our students. Due to their support, Guardian Scholars receive priority consideration, expedited appointments, and most of all, access to compassionate staff with whom they can trust.
Campus Contacts
Visit the Student Affairs website for a list of university departments that may be helpful to you.
Lili Hernandez
Position: Financial Aid Advisor, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Email: lilihernandez@umail.
Phone: (805) 893-8811
Jeff Landeck
Position: Writing, ESL & Foreign Language Coordinator, CLAS
Email: jeff.landeck@sa.ucsb.edu
Phone: (805) 893-4757
Dr. Meridith Merchant
Position: Psychologist, Counseling Services
Email: meridith.merchant@sa.ucsb.edu
Phone: (805) 893-4411
Mario Munoz
Position: Assistant Director, Apartment Assignment Services, Housing and Residential Services
Email: mmunoz@housing.ucsb.edu
Phone: (805) 893-7391
Rebecca Segundo
Position: Basic Needs and Rapid Rehousing Manager, Basic Needs Resources
Email: rebecca.plotkin@sa.ucsb.edu
Phone: (805) 893-5949
Jack Rivas
Position: Academic Advisor, College of Letters and Science
Email: jrivas@ltsc.ucsb.edu
Phone: (805) 893-2948
Lana Smith-Hale
Position: Career Counselor, Career Services
Email: lana.smith-hale@sa.ucsb.edu
Phone: (805) 893-4649
Jessica Paredes
Position: Counselor, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
Email: jessica.paredes@sa.ucsb.edu
Phone: (805) 893-4578
Andrew Vesper
Position: Chief Social Worker, Student Health
Email: andrew.vesper@sa.ucsb.edu
Phone: (805) 893-3380