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, and 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
- Start Student Hub: study space, printing, academic supplies, and wellness resources
Events
Meet the Team
Samantha Bautista, Director
Office Location: Joyal Administration, Room 137
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, Hiking, Paddle Boarding, and Spending time with Family
Vacant, Administrative Assistant
Office Location: Joyal Administration, Room 137
The Administrative Assistant position is currently vacant.
For questions, concerns, or assistance during this transition, please contact Samantha
Bautista, Program Director.
Email: sbautista@mail.fresnostate.edu
Phone: 559.278.2127
Thank you for your understanding.
Armando Santos Galindo, Academic Counselor
Craig School of Business
Office Location: Peters Business Building, Room 185
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.
Email
Schedule an Appointment with Armando
Drop-Ins Sign Up with Armando
Sukhmani Grewal, Academic Counselor
Craig School of Business
Office Location: Peters Business Building, Room 185
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.
Email
Schedule an Appointment with Sukhmani
Drop-Ins Sign Up with Sukhmani
Briana Rosales, Academic Counselor
College of Social Sciences
Office Location: McKee Fisk, Room 207
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.
Email
Schedule an Appointment with Briana
Drop-Ins Sign Up with Briana
Lucero Mendoza, Academic Counselor
College of Social Sciences
Office Location: McKee Fisk, Room 207
Hometown: Avenal, CA
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.
Email
Schedule an Appointment with Lucero
Drop-Ins Sign Up with Lucero
Ashley Yang, Academic Counselor
College of Science and Mathematics
Office Location: Science 1, Room 136
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.
Email
Schedule an Appointment with Ashley
Drop-Ins Sign Up with Ashley
Alex Machado, Academic Counselor
Kremen School of Education
Office Location: Kremen Education, Room 100
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.
Email
Schedule an Appointment with Alex
Drop-Ins Sign Up with Alex
Marcos Rosas, Academic Counselor
Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Office Location: Agricultural Sciences, Room 110
Hometown: Reedley Ca
Education: B.A in Chicano Studies and currently completing M.S in Student Affairs
and College Counseling
Hobbies: Visiting the coast, going to amusement parks, video games, anime, tv shows
Assigned Students Only
If Marcos is your assigned Academic Counselor for the Jordan College of Agriculture
and Technology, use the following links to connect with him.
Email
Schedule an Appointment with Marcos
Drop-ins Sign Up with Marcos
Gissel Muñoz, Academic Counselor
College of Arts and Humanities
Office Location: Speech Arts, Room 159
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.
Email
Schedule an Appointment with Gissel
Drop-Ins Sign Up with Gissel
Doua Chong Lee, Academic Counselor
Lyles College of Engineering
Office Location: Engineering East, Room 383
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.
Email
Schedule an Appointment with Doua
Drop-Ins Sign Up with Doua
Cynthia Ramirez, Academic Counselor
College of Health and Human Services
Office Location: McLane Hall, Room 276
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.
Assigned Students Only
If Cynthia is your assigned Academic Counselor for the College of Health and Human
Services, use the following links to connect with her.
Email
Schedule an Appointment with Cynthia
Drop-Ins with Cynthia
Jonathen Marin, Student Success Research Analyst
Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Office Location: Haak Center, Library 4140
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
Meet the Advisory Board Members
- Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, University President
- Dr. Melinda Roberts, Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs
- Phong Yang, Vice President, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
- Dr. Gil Harootunian, Executive Director of University Initiatives
- Dr. Bernadette Muscat, Dean of Undergraduate Studies
- Dr. Alam Hasson, Interim Associate Vice President, Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Appointment Attendance Policy
The Start Program enforces an appointment attendance policy to ensure fair access for appointments. If students are not able to attend their appointment, it is required to cancel or notify their counselor at least 48 hours in advance. After two (2) no-shows, students will lose the ability to schedule appointments for 30 days. If you are no longer able to schedule an appointment, Wednesday walk-ins are available as an alternative.
Please email fsstartprogram@mail.fresnostate.edu for any questions, concerns, or if you would like to opt out of the program.
Contact Us
Start Program
Joyal Administration, Room 137
fsstartprogram@mail.fresnostate.edu
559.278.2127