Meet the PASA Board
JERRY SOLORZANO
President
Pronouns: He/Him/El
Hometown: Bell Gardens, CA
Student Affairs Interest(s):
Residential Education
Greek Life
Campus Activities
Academic Advising
First Generation Students
Student Government
Undergraduate Institution:
University of La Verne
Assistantships, Internships, and Involvements:
Graduate Residential College Coordinator | USC Residential Education
Graduate Student Staff | USC Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Development
USC Veterans Resource Center | Communications Assistant
Graduate Assistant | USC Dornsife Office of Advising
Co-President | USC Latinx Graduate Student Association
Bio: Hey guys, my name is Gerardo Solorzano (but everyone calls me Jerry) and I’m a second year student in the PASA program. I received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of La Verne. As an undergraduate student my involvements on campus as a member of Greek Life, Campus Activities, Orientation, and Student Organizations opened doors for me and allowed me to develop leadership skills and network with many different people. Along the way I also grew an interest in wanting to work in student affairs because I saw the lasting impact that student affairs professionals can have on students. I also noticed that a lot of the people in the field of higher ed that I had worked with had outdated ideologies, and I knew I wanted to be a part of the new generation of higher ed professionals that were ready to incite positive change in higher education. I joined PASA Network as a way to surround myself with like minded individuals and because I want to make the most out of my USC Experience. In my free time, I enjoy going to brunch, watching scary movies, and going on drives with the music all the way up.
KATHERINE ROCHA
Vice President
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Hometown: La Mirada, CA
Student Affairs Interest(s):
Admissions
Recruiting
DEI Work
Advising
Undergraduate Institution:
University of California, Santa Barbara
(Go Gauchos!!)
Full Time Job: Academic Program Specialist | USC School of Pharmacy Graduate Affairs Office
Bio:
My name is Katherine and I am a part-time, second-year student in the PASA program. I am so excited to serve as the PASA Network Vice President during the 22-23 school year! I have been a staff member at USC for three years. I spent two and half years working at Rossier in the Master of Arts in Teaching programs, which gave me valuable experience advising students on professional practice. My current role at the School of Pharmacy utilizes that experience while also allowing me to learn more about the admissions and recruiting process. Some of the topics I’ve studied so far in this program are diversity and representation in professional studies, student homelessness, mental health and wellbeing, and racial and gender intersectionality.
RONA KOHANTEB
Director of Communications
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hometown: Tarzana, CA
Student Affairs Interest(s):
Student Government
Residential Education
Greek Life
Athletics
Alumni Relations
Undergraduate Institution:
California State University, Northridge
Assistantships, Internships, and Involvements:
Graduate Advisor | USC Campus Activities
Graduate Residential College Coordinator | USC Residential Education
Rossier Student Organization Council | President
Graduate Student Government | Social Programming Chair
Bio: Hi Everyone, my name is Rona Kohanteb. I am a second year part-time student in the PASA program, and I will be completing the program in 2023. Prior to USC, I attended CSUN where I earned my BA in Child and Adolescent Development and a minor in Psychology. During my undergrad I worked at Associated Students as the Chief of Staff which played a role in my interest in student affairs. Additionally, I served as Panhellenic recruitment chair for my university working to put on recruitment during the uncertain times of the pandemic. I have also worked for Matador Advising Hub advising freshmen students on courses, registration and retention. Throughout all of these positions, I have had the opportunity to make fantastic connections, have great experiences and really explore what my future in student affairs will look like. I currently work as a GA for Campus Activities with undergraduate student government, am the President of RSOC, and serve as the Social Programming chair for Graduate Student Government. I am excited for the opportunities I have but am definitely looking into the future and potentially will want to pursue an EdD. I love music, reading and going out with friends. I love to have new experiences and make new connections and my favorite way to do that is trying out new places.
BAILEY SCHMIDT
Director of Professional Relations
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hometown: Whittier, CA
Student Affairs Interest(s):
New Student Orientation
Greek Life
Campus Activities
Student Government
Academic Advising
Leadership Development
First Year Experience
Mental Health
Undergraduate Institution:
California State University San Marcos
Assistantships, Internships, and Involvements:
Graduate Assistant | USC Office of Admissions
Rossier Student Organization Council | Director of Social Programming
Bio: My name is Bailey Schmidt and I am a part-time, first-year student in the PASA program! I am beyond excited to begin this program and be involved in the PASA network. I am very passionate about leadership and planning events for students. My love for leadership has been something I have heard near and dear to my heart since high school as I was involved in ASB all four years. After High School I got involved in my sorority's Leader's Council serving as Chapter Secretary, Vice President of Chapter Development, and Chapter President. I am now taking on this leadership position in the PASA Network and beginning a Graduate assistantship in the Office of Admission which I am so eager to start. I can't wait to dive into Graduate School and really get the most out of my academic and social career here at USC. Some of my interests outside of school include interior design, shopping, spending time with loved ones, working out, trying new foods, and spreading positivity to those around me. Fight On!
Ella Rae Columbres
Co-Director of Special Events
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hometown: Honolulu, HI / Pangasinan, Philippines
Student Affairs Interest(s):
First-Generation, Low-Income, and Minoritized Students
Academic Advising
Career Services
Residential Life
Enrollment and Retention
Research
Undergraduate Institution:
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Assistantships, Internships, and Involvements:
Residential Assistant | USC Bovard Scholars Program
Program Assistant | USC Marshall Graduate Certificate and Specialized Masters Program
Graduate Intern | USC Career Center
Bio: Hi everyone, my name is Ella and I am a first-year graduate student for the PASA program! I completed my Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM) in Spring 2022. I taught 10th grade U.S. History and 12th grade Global Studies in my last semester as a part of my program’s curriculum. During my time at UHM, I worked as a peer mentor for the First-year Programs where I instructed two sections of college freshmen and transfer students to help them acclimate to UHM and Hawaiʻi. I also worked as Mānoa Peer Advisor for the Nursing Department and at UHM’s Ticket and Information office as an associate and manager. I also was involved with other clubs and organizations during my undergrad. I served as a senator for Associated Students of the University of Hawai'i and volunteered for YMCA’s Youth and Government Program. While I loved being a teacher and enjoyed classroom teaching, my involvement at UHM and experience as an immigrant from a minoritized group and from a low-income background shifted my passion in working in higher education and student affairs. In my freetime, I enjoy going to the gym, chilling on the beach, hiking, playing games, and trying out new food places with friends!
ozzie willis
Co-Director of Special Events
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Hometown: Choctaw, MS
Student Affairs Interest(s):
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Native American/American Indian/Indigenous Students
Leadership Development
Campus Activities
Student Government
New Student Orientation
Undergraduate Institution:
University of Oklahoma
Assistantships, Internships, and Involvements:
Assistant Coordinator | Cal Poly Pomona
Graduate Advisor | USC Undergraduate Student Government
Bio:
Hello there! My name is Ozzie Willis, and I am one of your Co-Directors of Special Events of the PASA Network. A little about myself is that I am Native American, Choctaw from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians reservation. This is my second year in the PASA program as a Part-timer after coming from getting a bachelor's and master's degree at the University of Oklahoma in Criminology and Sociology, respectively. My undergraduate involvement included being a part of Campus Activities, and New Student Orientation, where I learned how to help students find out how to make their college experience unique and help others develop leadership skills. Moving away from my focus at my Alma Mater was a hard decision, but when I worked with student affairs professionals and other individuals within other student organizations, I felt a passion for their work to help students define their college experience and felt overwhelmed by the pride they found in it. I joined PASA Network because I knew I would be joining individuals who had that same passion that I could continue to learn from and help expand our vision for this upcoming year. I know we're going to give it our all, and I hope to see it all unfold this next year.
nadine quinonez
Director of Leadership Development
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Hometown: North East Los Angeles, CA
Student Affairs Interest(s):
Outreach
Recruitment
Retention
Resources
Basic Needs
Student Development
Student Services
EDI
Advising
Undergraduate Institution:
University of California Los Angeles
Assistantships, Internships, and Involvements:
CalWORKs Success Coach | Pasadena City College
Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Nadine and I am a full-time PASA student. I recently graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I am a single mother with a four-year-old son. I identify as a first-generation, non-traditional, parenting student. I also identify as low-income and a woman of color. During undergrad, I realized I was passionate about serving students. I worked as Community Outreach with the Students with Dependents Program as well as a New Student Advisor with New Student Academic Programs (orientation). I was Co-Chair of Bruin Parenting Scholars which is a student-led organization that advocates for parenting students at UCLA. I was also a general member of the Student Leadership Board which focused on identity, leadership styles/skills, diversity, equity, and inclusion. During my time at UCLA, I learned that providing resources, giving students tools, offering programming, and building community can make all the difference and ease the students educational journey. I would also like to say, there is POWER in sharing your story. So whenever you are given the chance to share your story (and if you are comfortable doing so), I highly encourage you to share. I look forward to meeting everyone in the PASA cohort and am excited to empower one another!
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Jeffrey cardinez
Director of Alumni
Engagement
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Hometown: National City, CA
Student Affairs Interest(s):
First-Generation Students
Outreach and Retention
The APIDA Community
First-Year Experience
Academic Advising
Mental Health
Mentoring
Undergraduate Institution:
San Diego State University
Assistantships, Internships, and Involvements:
Graduate Assistant | USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Bio: HI EVERYONE~ My name is Jeffrey Cardinez, and I am a full-time PASA student! I was born and raised in National City, CA. I ended up commuting to San Diego State University, where I earned my BA in Psychology with a minor in Counseling and Social Change. When I went through my undergraduate experience, I thought I was merely involving myself with leadership opportunities in student organizations and peer advising to add “flavor” into my college routine. It was around my 4th year where I felt like I was too content and satisfied with my extracurricular experiences, and solidified my career switch from therapy to student affairs through the mentorship of someone who has grown to be my biggest supporter! Although I am not sure what the future holds, we’re all taking it one step at a time so I hope to reassure some of you through our future interactions. As someone who prefers to listen rather than speak, I am excited to get to know everyone affiliated with PASA and Rossier in the next academic year!
Jackie madrigal
Co-Director of Social
Justice and Outreach
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hometown: Santa Ana, CA
Student Affairs Interest:
Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Undergraduate Institution:
Clark University
Assistantships, Internships, and Involvements:
Graduate Assistant | USC Alumni Association
Bio: Hi Everyone! My name is Jackie Madrigal (she/her/hers). I am a first-year full-time student in the PASA program, and I will be completing the program in the Summer of 2023. Prior to USC, I attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts where I earned my Bachelor's of Arts studying Sociology with a concentration in Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies. As an undergraduate student my involvements included being President of our Undergraduate Student Council, an Orientation Coordinator, Mentor, and many other leadership positions that served marginalized student communities. In these leadership positions I have always worked under the mindset of serving underrepresented communities and building a community of support, which is where my passion for social justice was ignited. In my personal time I enjoy visiting coffee shops, taking my puppy Lola on walks, and spending quality time with my close friends.
nicole
howell
Co-Director of Social
Justice and Outreach
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hometown: Arleta, CA
Student Affairs Interest:
Campus Activities
Admissions
Student Orientation
Student Government
Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Undergraduate Institution:
California Lutheran University
Assistantships, Internships, and Involvements:
Graduate Assistant | USC Office of Admissions
USC Rossier PASA Student Ambassador
Bio: Hello Friends! My name is Nikki Howell and I am a part-time, first-year student in the PASA program. I recently graduated from California Lutheran University in May of 2022 with a BA in Political Science and Legal Studies. In my undergraduate experience, I had the amazing opportunity to serve my campus as the Director of the California Lutheran Student Government Programs Board. I was also a mentor to incoming students and a tour guide on campus. Within these experiences I fell in love with Student Affairs and I am very passionate about student development. I am excited to work with the PASA Network to promote equity and inclusion into all our events and create lasting memories for the members of our community.