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Division of Academic Affairs

Start Program

Advising Initiative

About the Program

The Start Program is an advising initiative at Fresno State, designed to provide you with personalized guidance and support throughout your college journey. From your first semester to graduation, you will be paired with a dedicated academic counselor who will work with you one-on-one to support your academic planning, personal growth, and success.

The Start Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education Postsecondary Student Success Grant, the Start Program is grounded in national best practices. Our approach is aligned with the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) recommendations for effective advising in postsecondary education, ensuring that every student receives meaningful support that drives results.

The Start Program is here to help you thrive at Fresno State every step of the way!

Program Benefits

  • Paired with a dedicated Academic Counselor in your College Advising Center
  • Priority appointment scheduling for one-on-one advising and drop-ins
  • Exclusive workshops, academic resources, and success tools
  • Invitations to special events, including an End-of-Year Celebration
  • Coming Soon: Private study space

Events

Meet the Team

Samantha Bautista, Start Program Director
Samantha Bautista, Program Director

Hometown: Selma, Ca
Education: M.S., Counseling, Student Affairs & College Counseling, B.S. Sociology, minor in Criminology, and Academic Certificates in Victim Services, and Cross Cultural Competency
Hobbies: Traveling, Road Trips, Pickle Ball, Paddle Boarding, Hiking, and being a foodie!
sbautista@mail.fresnostate.edu 

Hnub Lee, Administrative Assistant
Hnub Lee, Administrative Assistant

Hometown: Fresno, CA
Education: B.S. Business Administration with an Option in Management, Minor in Asian American Studies, and Academic Certificates in Cross Cultural Competency & TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
Hobbies: Cafe Hopping, Foodie Enthusiast - LOVE discovering hidden gems, Watching K-Dramas & Anime, and Reading 
hnublee@mail.fresnostate.edu 

Armando Santos Galindo, Academic Counselor for Craig School of Business
Armando Santos Galindo, Academic Counselor
Craig School of Business

Hometown: Fresno, CA
Education: M.S. in Student Affairs and College Counseling, B.A. in Sociology, and Academic Certificates in Cross-Cultural Competency and Sociological Research Methods
Hobbies: Hiking, Fishing, Gym, Road Trips, Video Games, Grilling

Assigned Students Only

If Armando is your assigned Academic Counselor for the Craig School of Business, use the following links to connect with him. 
Schedule an Appointment with Armando Drop-Ins Sign Up with Armando

armandos@mail.fresnostate.edu

Sukhmani Grewal, Academic Counselor Craig School of Business
Sukhmani Grewal, Academic Counselor
Craig School of Business

Hometown: Fowler, CA
Education: M.S. Counseling, option in Student Affairs and College Counseling, B.A. Sociology, Minor in Criminology
Hobbies: Visiting cafes, watching Indian movies, and binge watching crime series

Assigned Students Only
If Sukhmani is your assigned Academic Counselor for the Craig School of Business, use the following links to connect with her. 
Schedule an Appointment with Sukhmani Drop-Ins Sign Up with Sukhmani

grewals@mail.fresnostate.edu 

Briana Rosales, Academic Counselor College of Social Sciences
Briana Rosales, Academic Counselor
College of Social Sciences

Hometown: Visalia, CA
Education: Counseling, M.S., Sociology, B.A.
Hobbies: Reading, coffee shops, and outdoor walks

Assigned Students Only
If Briana is your assigned Academic Counselor for the College of Social Sciences, use the following links to connect with her. 
Schedule an Appointment with Briana Drop-Ins Sign Up with Briana

brosales@mail.fresnostate.edu 

Lucero Mendoza, Academic Counselor College of Social Sciences
Lucero Mendoza, Academic Counselor
College of Social Sciences

Hometown: Avenal, California
Education: Master of Science, Student Affairs and College Counseling, Bachelor of Arts, Social Work & Minor in Spanish, and Academic Certificates in Cross-Cultural Competency and Serving Youth At-Risk
Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, and exploring new food spots!

Assigned Students Only
If Lucero is your assigned Academic Counselor for the College of Social Sciences, use the following links to connect with her. 
Schedule an Appointment with Lucero Drop-Ins Sign Up with Lucero
luceromendoza@mail.fresnostate.edu 

Ashley Yang, Academic Counselor College of Science and Mathematics
Ashley Yang, Academic Counselor
College of Science and Mathematics

Hometown: Fresno, CA
Education: Counseling, M.S, Psychology, B.A
Hobbies: Reading, Music, and Foodie

Assigned Students Only
If Ashley is your assigned Academic Counselor for the College of Science and Mathematics, use the following links to connect with her. 
Schedule an Appointment with Ashley Drop-Ins Sign Up with Ashley
ashleyyang@mail.fresnostate.edu 

Alex Machado, Academic Counselor Kremen School of Education
Alex Machado, Academic Counselor
Kremen School of Education

Hometown: Tulare, CA
Education: M.S. Student Affairs and College Counseling, B.A. Liberal Studies, and A.A. Univ. Studies in Math and Science
Hobbies: Running, beach trips, thrill rides, movies, making coffee.

Assigned Students Only
If Alex is your assigned Academic Counselor for the Kremen School of Education and Human Development, use the following links to connect with him. 
Schedule an Appointment with Alex Drop-Ins Sign Up with Alex
amachado12@mail.fresnostate.edu 

Rachel Klassen, Academic Counselor Jordan College of Agriculture and Tech
Rachel Klassen, Academic Counselor
Jordan College of Agriculture and Tech

Hometown: Fresno, CA
Education: Counseling, M.S.
Hobbies: Fitness, food and music

Assigned Students Only
If Rachel is your assigned Academic Counselor for the Jordan College of Agricultre and Technology, use the following links to connect with her.
Schedule an Appointment with Rachel Drop-Ins Sign Up with Rachel

klassenrachel@mail.fresnostate.edu 

Gissel Munoz, Academic Counselor College of Arts and Humanities
Gissel Munoz, Academic Counselor
College of Arts and Humanities

Hometown: Santa Ana, CA
Education: Counseling, M.S., Psychology, B.A., and Art, Minor
Hobbies: Religious activities, Dancing,  Soccer, Traveling, Novelas, Arts and Crafts 

Assigned Students Only
If Gissel is your assigned Academic Counselor for the College of Arts and Humanities, use the following links to connect with her. 
Schedule an Appointment with Gissel Drop-Ins Sign Up with Gissel
gissel.m@mail.fresnostate.edu

Doua Chong Lee, Academic Counselor Lyles College of Engineering
Doua Chong Lee, Academic Counselor
Lyles College of Engineering

Hometown: Morganton, NC
Education: Counseling, M.S, Psychology, B.A
Hobbies: crafting, watching t.v shows/ movies, and being my own barista

Assigned Students Only
If Doua is your assigned Academic Counselor for the Lyles College of Engineering, use the following links to connect with her. 
Schedule an Appointment with Doua Drop-Ins Sign Up with Doua
douacl@mail.fresnostate.edu 

Cynthia Ramirez, Academic Counselor College of Health and Human Services
Cynthia Ramirez, Academic Counselor
College of Health and Human Services

Hometown: Tulare, CA
Education: Graduate student - M.S. in Counseling, Student Affairs & College Counseling Option, B.A. in Psychology - Fresno State, and Multiple AA/AS degrees - College of the Sequoias
Hobbies: Video games, hiking, music.
Schedule an Appointment with Cynthia Drop-Ins with Cynthia
cynthiaramirez@mail.fresnostate.edu

Jonathen Marin, Research Analyst
Jonathen Marin, Student Success Research Analyst
Office of Institutional Effectiveness

Hometown: Fresno, CA
Education: BS: Mathematics at Fresno State, MS: Mathematics - Data Science at Fresno State
Hobbies:  Fantasy Football, Video Games, Hiking, Walking, Swimming, and Ice Skating
jonathenmarin@mail.fresnostate.edu 

Manuel Vazquez Cano Managing Researcher
External Evaluator, Education Northwest 

Marbella Uriostegui Senior Researcher
External Evaluator, Educational Northwest 

Michelle Hodara Director, Research & Evaluation
External Evaluator, Educational Northwest 

Meet the Advisory Board Members

  • Provost Xuanning Fu, Chair of the Start Program Award
  • President Jimenez-Sandoval, Chair of the Advisory Board

 

Contact Us

Start Program
Advising Initiative
fsstartprogram@mail.fresnostate.edu
559.278.2127