Melissa, an East Oakland, CA native, is dedicated to empowering students facing systemic barriers. She holds a BA in Psychology and Spanish from UC Davis, where she worked with the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center and volunteered at the YOLO County Suicide Prevention Hotline. Melissa earned a Master’s in Career Counseling from Sacramento State and has extensive experience in education and career advising. As a former College and Career Advisor and now Program Manager for Rising Stars at Student Rising Above, Melissa is passionate about supporting first-generation, BIPOC, low-income, AB540, and Undocumented students. She helps them navigate education and career pathways with a focus on collaboration, inclusivity, and empowerment. Melissa’s work aligns with SRA’s mission to create opportunities for all students, driven by a deep commitment to equity, justice, and long-term social change.
