College of Ethnic Studies Office

Lena Chao, Ph.D.
Interim Dean
323-343-6960
KH D1052-B
[email protected]

Andrea Villegas is the Director of Student Success & Advising for the College of Ethnic Studies and the Executive Director of Student Success & Advising for Cal State LA.  In collaboration with staff, faculty, and advisors, Andrea is excited to create the College of Ethnic Studies first Advising Center as a warm and welcoming space for COES students.  Prior to Cal State LA, Andrea was the Associate Dean of Academic Support at Whittier College, the Associate Director of Graduate Programs in the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management at University of California, Riverside, the Southern California Regional Admissions Counselor for Humboldt State University, and the Advising Coordinator for Education Talent Search (TRiO) at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Andrea began her career in higher education coordinating the student-athlete peer mentoring & tutoring program, graduate Lecture for the Department of History, and as a graduate intern in Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at CSUN. Andrea earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s in History from CSUN and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Leadership at California State University, Fullerton.  She is passionate about advocating and supporting students in reaching their personal, professional, and academic goals at Cal State LA

Marissa Garcia joined Cal State LA’s advancement team in 2018. During her time she has helped raise over $5 million dollars and been part of the We Are LA Campaign which has raised over $85 million. She has over 13 years of fundraising experience. Her prior employment tenures include serving as the Director of Development at Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary High School in Montebello and Director of Special Events and Publications at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Whittier College and a Masters of Management from the University of Phoenix. She lives in Whittier with her husband and two young children.

Aidee Romero was raised in the city of Lynwood, where she graduated from Lynwood High School. She attended California State University, Long Beach, where she received a B.A. in Communicatiom Studies. Her combined education, trainimng, and experience working in afterschool, educational, virtual, and recreational programming have cultivated a deep passion for student success. Aidee is committed to supporting student learning, development, and empowering students by providing resources to facilitate a brighter future for individuals and their communities. On her time off, she loves spending time with her family and friends exploring new adventures.