CSS Staff

Center Director

Iván R. Pagán

Iván was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. When he was young, he had to move quite a bit, but he basically grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his BBA from Cleveland State University, and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison he earned two master's degrees, one in accounting and another in educational psychology. Iván's passion is empowering students who have been marginalized in higher education, and much of his professional career has been devoted to serving low income, first generation, ethnic minority, differently-abled, and LGBTQIA students. Sometimes all a person needs is someone to care, to listen, or to offer a compassionate hand. These small acts of kindness can make the difference between a student dropping out or pursuing his/her dream. In his spare time, Iván enjoys everything that has to do with exploring the human story, including novels, plays, movies, and audiobooks. Iván also has a wicked sweet tooth, and he highly recommends the monster cookies at Peet's on the first floor of the library. Hablo español, so come by and have a chat if you do, too!

Retention Advisor

Jihan Ejan

Jihan Ejan (aka “G”) was born and raised in the Southern California coastal town of Oxnard. She attended the University of California Davis and received dual B.A. degrees in Sociology and Asian American Studies with a Music minor (she plays the drums!). Jihan also has her M.S. degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Student Personnel Counseling. Her interests in counseling include working with underrepresented, first-generation, and economically disadvantaged students to become successful in their academic, personal, and career goals.
Jihan’s work experience includes academic and career counseling, mentoring, college retention, college outreach and recruitment, admissions evaluations, and teaching. She has worked with students from the elementary, high school, community college, and university levels. She previously worked at CSU Channel Islands, UC Berkeley, City College of San Francisco, and for the non-profit, League of United Latin American Citizens National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC).
In her spare time, Jihan loves to dance, SCUBA dive, and explore new places; her favorite place to visit is the Philippines!

Administrative Support

Marivic Quintanilla

Originally from Olympia, Washington she moved to Central California in July 2002 and in 2006, to the Monterey Bay area. From 2006-2009, she worked in the TRiO federal grant program, Student Support Services (SSS) and state funded program, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).
She has a special history with the area because from age six to ten, her father was stationed at Fort Ord. It was an active duty military base then. She attended George Patton Elementary School, which is now Marina High School. The CSUMB Music Hall was the church that her family attended on base and where she had her first communion.
She has been married for almost twenty years and has three children. In her spare time she enjoys photography, arts and crafts, shopping and baking.

Mentors

Aliah

Major: Pyschology

Year: Senior

Hobbies: Playing sports, shopping, and spending time with friends and family                                                                          

Matt Stone

Major: Business

Year: Junior

Hobbies: Enjoys playing soccer, meeting new people, and just staying active.

Brian Ramler

Major: Business

Year: Senior

Hobbies: Disc Golf, and traveling

Saesha Hall

Major: Psychology

Year: Junior

Hobbies: Enjoys Reading, swimming, music and art

Alfredo Davilla

Major: Mathematics

Year: Senior

Hobbies: Soccer, Dance, and everything else.

Student Assistant

Justin Valdez                                                                    

Major: Kinesiology

Year: Senior

Hobbies: Enjoys hanging out with friends, sports, video games and working out