The staff at CALSOAP is dedicated to working with our local schools, organizations and community to facilitate and increase the availability of information about the existence of post-secondary education, the sources of financial assistance, and student career opportunities. Our staff members understand the adversities that majority of students endure while trying to pursue higher education. Their enthusiasm in helping our students is driven by their own experiences in being first-generation graduates. To contact our staff, you may email directly or Make an Appointment.
CALSOAP Staff:
Joanna Romo
Project Director
Email: joanna.romo@calsoapsb.org
Joanna has been working in the field of education for over 20 years in various districts throughout California. She was born in Santiago, Chile and moved to Santa Barbara at the age of 8. She was the first in her family to attend college and graduated from UCSB. She later moved to Northern California to attend graduate school at Sonoma State University and lived in the North Bay area for 10 years. Her passion for working with low-income, first-generation, college-bound students comes from her own experience as a first-generation college graduate, and years of experience of working with public schools and nonprofits in rural and urban capacities. Joanna has developed a well-rounded understanding for the need to help underserved students achieve academically, prepare for higher education, and pursue career goals.
Rafael Alvarado
Program Coordinator
Email: cscsupervisor805@calsoapsb.org
Rafael Alvarado is a graduate from the California State University Northridge with a Bachelors in Sociology and Criminology. Rafael is both a first-generation high school and College graduate. He has been mentoring and empowering youth in Santa Barbara County since 2018. His experiences have helped him understand the challenges that underserved and underrepresented students undergo when pursuing higher education. He looks forward to supporting students in their pursuit of post-secondary opportunities.
CALSOAP Financial Aid and College Success Coaches:
Our CALSOAP Coaches are not only CALSOAP staff, they are also currently enrolled students at UCSB, SBCC, and VCC. Their objective is to meet with junior high and high school students to ensure that they are receiving adequate information pertaining to financial aid, college applications, career opportunities and academic support. They also serve as advocates to each individual for their academic needs and advisement and assist in informing their parents. CSC appointments and hours can be accessed here.
CALSOAP FA Coaches:
Danalee Le Fevre
Email: Danalee@calsoapsb.org
Danalee is a first-year UCSB student majoring in Psychological and Brain Sciences. She looks forward to working with students and contributing towards their future success.
Julie Vang
Email: Julie@calsoapsb.org
Julie Vang is a third year at UCSB and is majoring in Communications with a minor in Asian American Studies.
She is excited to be helping students pursue higher education and support them on their academic journey.
CALSOAP College Success Coaches
Daniela Orozco
Email: Daniela@calsoapsb.org
Daniela is a 3rd year at UCSB majoring in Sociology and minoring in Education. She was born and raised in Riverside California and is also a first-generation college student.
She is also part of the CDV organization (Corazon de Vida) that supports children in orphanages in Baja California. She was also in the foster care system which motivated her to give back to children in need.
She is passionate about supporting first-generation students and guiding them toward success and hopes to one day become a school counselor.
Estevan Garcia
Email: Estevan@calsoapsb.org
Estevan Garcia is a 3rd year political science major student with a focus in American politics at UCSB. Estevan is also pursuing a minor in museum studies. He is excited to start working with Cal soap to kickstart a new direction in his career, as well as helping students kickstart their future.