Meet the Staff
The Mustang Success Center provides an inclusive environment that proactively supports first time freshmen with their successful transition and integration into Cal Poly. The center’s staff provides accessible academic advising that guides students to clear pathways of success and builds a foundation for timely graduation.
Director for the Mustang Success Center
Shannon Stephens
Director for the Mustang Success Center
sgstephe@calpoly.edu
805-756-2762
52-D31
Favorite Quote: "The sea was angry that day my friends, like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli." - George Louis Constanza, Seinfeld
Advisors for the Mustang Success Center
Kara Hitchcock
First Year Programs
khitch01@calpoly.edu
805-756-5779
52-D46
Favorite Quote: "Work hard at work worth doing." - Leslie Knope
VetNet Ally
Experience working with student-athletes, first gen students, and low income students
Sandy Jimenez
First Year Programs
sjimen07@calpoly.edu
805-756-6211
Favorite Quote:"Pies para qué los quiero si tengo alas para volar ( English translation: "Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?" - Frida Kahlo
Identifies as a Bi-cultural Latina, First-generation low-income student
UnDocuAlly training
Lindsay Lacey
Student Assistant supervisor
lilacey@calpoly.edu
805-756-7037
52-D48
Favorite Quote: "We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down." - Kurt Vonnegut
Identifies as a non-traditional, first generation transfer student who was Pell Eligible. Participated in EOP and worked full time.
UndocuAlly, VetNet Ally, gender & sexuality allyship
Rebecca Richards
First Year Programs
rricha15@calpoly.edu
805-756-7091
52-D45
Favorite Quote: "I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence." - Oriah Mountain Dreamer
LGBTQ+ Advisor; identified a first generation, low income college student.
Experience working with students who are on academic probation or having academic struggles.
UndocuAlly
Christina Wolfe-Chandler
Advisor training programs
crwolfe@calpoly.edu
805-756-5735
52-D42
Favorite Quote: "Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." - Maya Angelou
Identified a first generation, low income, military dependent, transfer college student.
Cal Poly Scholars Advisors
Alicia Cruz
acruzavi@calpoly.edu
805-756-6211
Favorite Quote: "What appears to be the end may really be a new beginning." -Unknown
Dawin Whiten
dwhiten@calpoly.edu
805-756-5979
52-D43
Favorite Quote: "Do not fear going forward; fear only to stand still." - Chinese Proverb
Works with first generation/historically underserved populations, including students with disabilities.
Cal Poly Basketball athlete '04-'08
Annie Xiong
axiong04@calpoly.edu
805-756-6221
52-D37
Favorite Quote: "Life is about choices."
Identities include being first generation, low income, Hmong
Trainings: UndocuAlly
Danny Zavala
djzavala@calpoly.edu
805-756-5791
52-D41
Favorite Quote: "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." - Mae West
Zach Reed
zreed01@calpoly.edu
805-756-6495
42-205
Teams:M/W Track & Field, M/W Cross Country, W Soccer, M/W Swimming and Diving
Favorite Quote: "You can only see the stars when it is dark." - Dr. Eric Thomas
Kyle Ross
kyross@calpoly.edu
805-756-7043
42-205
Teams: Football, M Basketball, Baseball, M/W Tennis, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball
Favorite Quote: "There may be people who have more talent than you, but there's no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do and I believe that." - Derek Jeter
Louise Torgerson
ltorgers@calpoly.edu<
805-756-7041
42-205
Teams: W Basketball, Football, M Soccer, Wrestling, Softball, M/W Golf
Favorite Quote: "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." - Maya Angelou
UndocuAlly
Mustang Success Center Graduate Students
Tess Eyrich
teyrich@calpoly.edu
52-D37
Favorite Quote: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” —Ferris Bueller
Austin Ferguson
aufergus@calpoly.edu
52-D37
Favorite Quote: “Take your work seriously, but never yourself” - Margot Fonteyn
Mustang Success Center Peer Advisors
Moriah Clarke
success@calpoly.edu
805-756-6211
52-D37
Favorite Quote:""You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." -AA Milne
Mustang Success Center Student Assistants
805-756-6211
52-D37