Vanessa is the college counselor at Latitude High. She was born and raised in Lancaster, California and graduated from UCLA with her BA in Psychology and Minor in Education Studies. As a first-generation college graduate, Vanessa centered both her research and practice around supporting first-generation students to and through the education system. Throughout her four years at UCLA, Vanessa worked in the undergraduate admissions office and served as an admissions ambassador supporting high school students across Los Angeles County.

After graduation, she moved to the Bay Area to complete a 2-year fellowship for UC Berkeley’s Destination College Advising Corps as a College Adviser for high school students. Vanessa’s placement was at a non-profit organization called Boost@BerkeleyHaas, where she had the privilege of working with students attending high schools across the Bay Area. Through this role, she provided a myriad of services including but not limited to: transcript evaluation, SAT/ACT preparation support, college and financial aid application assistance, college workshops, family workshops, and more!

She recently completed her Master’s degree in Prevention Science and Practice (Adolescent Counseling) from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and is currently enrolled in a dual master’s degree in School Counseling (PPS Credential) and Marriage and Family Therapy at Cal State University, East Bay. Vanessa is excited to join the Latitude team and build relationships with students and their families!