Biography

Biography

Born and raised in Northern California, Vanessa comes from a large, tight-knit family, with roots from Northern and Central Mexico.  The eldest of three siblings, she attended elementary, middle, and high schools in the Napa Valley.  While in high school, Vanessa began volunteering at the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay and Highland Elementary School in Oakland during summer break.  Thus began a lifelong interest and commitment to community service.

After high school Vanessa began taking classes at Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC). She worked multiple jobs, and also made it a priority to volunteer in organizations related to her field of study. She has worked at Planned Parenthood as an education coordinator, at Nuestra Esperanza (Our Hope) a nonprofit organization, as a substance abuse counselor, case manager, and program manager for disadvantaged youth. She received her associate’s degree from Santa Rosa Junior College, then transferred to California State University, Sacramento where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

Upon graduating with a bachelor degree, she added the title of Property Investor/Manager to her career portfolio.  She was motivated to invest in residential properties so that she could practice her joy of property restoration/renovation while also providing a means of paying for college. 

Passionate about education, she now helps other students to find their paths.

In 2013, Vanessa was hired as Director for the Gateway to College program at SRJC Petaluma. The program serves high-promise youth who are motivated to complete their high school diplomas while earning college credits at the same time. Vanessa empathizes with some of her students, because she, too, felt very disconnected in high school. “It wasn’t until I came to SRJC that I started taking classes that felt meaningful to me and that I actually enjoyed learning.” She has also found SRJC’s smaller Petaluma campus a plus for her students who are able to easily find the resources and services they need in order to be successful.

Vanessa has known for many years that students like those in her program need culturally sensitive support, which Gateway to College provides. And her rewards are powerful. “Each of my students leaves deep imprints on my life,” Vanessa adds. And she feels grateful to care for the students like family members.

Today, Vanessa participates in local, state, and national initiatives that are increasing social equity, closing the academic opportunities gap, and fostering economic empowerment in marginalized communities.