Our Team

Monique joined the Welcome Center team as a Student Ambassador in 2021 and advanced to a classified professional role as a Student Services Assistant in July 2024. Born and raised in Oxnard, Monique holds an Associate of Arts in Natural Sciences and an Associate of Science in Public Health. 

In her previous role with the Associated Students of Ventura College, she served as the Director of Equity and Inclusion, where she fostered a sense of community on campus and advocated for diversity and accessibility for all students. Her extensive experiences includes serving on hiring committees, participating in professional development, and leading participatory governance meetings, which has well-prepared her, for her current role as a classified professional. 

Monique is currently attending CSU Northridge, pursuing a bachelor's degree in Public Health, and plans to achieve a Master's in Administration. Her professional career goal is to work in Public Health, creating an inclusive and supportive environment to help others.

Alma joined The Welcome Center as a Communication Assistant in Spring 2022 and quickly worked her way up to become a Student Services Assistant. Born and raised in Ventura, she earned dual Associate of Arts degrees in Business Management and Social Media Marketing from Ventura College, which laid the groundwork for her skills in both business and digital communication.

In her role as Student Services Assistant, Alma helps students navigate the application and registration processes, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way. She’s great at answering questions and providing the information students need to make their journey smoother.

Alma also leads some exciting projects, like improving the Welcome Center’s website. She’s created a series of "How To" videos that guide students on everything from applying to registering and using the student portal. These resources make it easier for students to find the information they need and empower them to take charge of their academic experience.

With her friendly attitude and proactive approach, Alma is a key part of The Welcome Center team, always looking for new ways to enhance the student experience and help others succeed.

Vincent began his educational journey at Ventura College in Fall 2020 and graduated in Spring 2022. During his time there, he became actively involved in the campus community, joining MEChA and participating in Track and Field. Over the years, Vincent developed a strong passion for helping others.

He started his professional career as a Student Worker in the Counseling Department, where he provided support to both students and staff. His dedication led to a role as a Communications Assistant at The Compass Welcome Center. Currently, he serves as a Student Services Assistant, where he helps students navigate their college experience and pursue their academic and personal goals. His work focuses on enhancing campus tours, supporting student publication in Ventura College’s anthologies, and assisting with registration for both credit and noncredit classes. Vincent also works closely with a variety of student organizations and cultural groups to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Outside of his professional role, Vincent is a recognized poet who frequently performs at poetry slams and open mic events. He also teaches through California Poets in the Schools, inspiring K–12 students to express themselves through writing.

Vincent is a recent graduate of California State University, Northridge, Class of 2025, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in History with a minor in Chicano Studies.

Mark joined The Welcome Center team as a Student Services Assistant in July 2024. He is a first-generation, young professional, born and raised in Ventura, and has invested in his community and the diverse students he serves. In his role as a Student Services Assistant, Mark assists students in navigating the application and registration processes and leads special projects, including curating specialized tours for Career and Major Communities.

Mark has approximately 5 years of experience in higher education with service in different leadership capacities such as serving as the Student Body President of the Associated Students of Ventura College (ASVC) and as a previous Board Member of the Ventura College Foundation. In his previous roles, he championed initiatives for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, advocating for underrepresented students on both state and national platforms. He also led a menstrual equity project that helped improve accessibility to menstrual products and raised awareness about student health issues. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI). Currently, he is pursuing a Masters degree in Counseling, with an option for becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with eligibility to also earn a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential. Mark plans to become a Counselor to continue working in higher education helping students with academic planning, empowering them to achieve their goals, while exceeding their expectations.

Outside of work, Mark enjoys watching horror films, eating hot foods and attending music festivals like Coachella.

Liliana is a second-year biology student at Ventura College, where she is working toward earning a bachelor's degree in cellular and molecular biology. Her long-term goal is to pursue a PhD and engage in groundbreaking research on gene therapies. She is deeply passionate about helping her peers succeed academically and is actively involved in campus organizations, including the Transfer Student Organization. Through these clubs, Liliana helps students navigate the complexities of their educational journeys, offering guidance on everything from applications to class registration. She understands firsthand how overwhelming it can be to have a goal in mind but feel lost in the maze of steps needed to achieve it. Whether it’s helping students make sense of the application process or providing support in planning their academic schedules, Liliana is committed to easing the burden for others. Her goal is to make the path toward higher education a little less intimidating, and she is always happy to assist students in any way she can to help them feel confident about their academic success.

Allyna recently graduated from Ventura College with Associate Degrees in General Education and Science for Psychology. Inspired by her own journey and the support she received along the way, she’s now preparing to transfer to a four-year university to continue her studies in psychology. Her ultimate goal is to become a counselor or therapist working in a juvenile detention center, where she hopes to guide and support youth who often feel overlooked or misunderstood. She was fortunate to have supportive peers, mentors, and counselors who helped her navigate the ups and downs of college life. Their encouragement made a lasting impact and inspired her to pay it forward. Allyna knows how much of a difference it can make to have someone in your corner when things get tough. With that being said, she joined the Welcome Center in 2025 to help others the way she was once helped—offering guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear to students as they begin their own college journeys.