Diana has been with the College Success Foundation for five years, first supporting students as a late high school advisor at Highline High School and now serving as a program manager for College Services and college coach at North Seattle College. A proud University of Washington Tacoma graduate, she is passionate about helping first-generation students navigate college and unlock new opportunities.
What university did you attend?
I earned my bachelor of arts from the University of Washington Tacoma, where I loved being part of the student community. One of the most rewarding experiences was conducting and publishing research — challenging but incredibly valuable, and I gained so many new skills.
After two years in the education field, I decided to take the next step and pursue my master’s at the University of Washington Seattle.
What advice would you give to students who are navigating the challenges of college life and preparing for their future careers?
Connect with your professors, CSF college coach and other supportive adults you trust and feel comfortable around. As a first-generation college student, I had no idea what resources were available to support me in the long run. My first year at UWT was mostly just going to class and working.
That changed when I took a sociology class, and my professor sent an email over the summer about on-campus job opportunities. I reached out to her for guidance, and that small step led to so much more than I expected. With her support, I got a job on campus, founded a program at UWT, made lifelong friends and even joined an honors program. Staying connected and sharing my challenges opened doors I didn’t even know existed.
Over the years, I continued building that relationship, and she became one of my biggest supporters — writing recommendations for both professional jobs and my master’s degree. She’s just one of the many incredible mentors who have helped me along the way!
What initially drew you to the field of education and student support, and how has your journey evolved since then?
My journey into education began in high school with the AVID program, which gave me the skills and knowledge to navigate college. Once I started college, I was invited back to work as a part-time AVID tutor, and that experience set everything in motion.
From there, all my roles centered around student success. My first job at UWT was as a peer advisor, helping first-year students adjust to college life. As I became more involved in student organizations and campus committees, other students and I realized that over 50% of UWT’s student population were first-generation college students. While I joined a club dedicated to first-gen students, we felt that a club alone wasn’t enough. So, we worked with the Dean of Students to draft a proposal that led to the creation of the First Generation Fellows (FGF) program. Through FGF, I collaborated with higher education professionals, gaining experience in funding and data collection and understanding the challenges that impact student success.
After earning my degree, I knew I wanted to continue supporting educational access, which led me to the College Success Foundation. I started as a high school advisor, later transitioned to College Services and now serve as a manager. In my current role, I love providing my team with the coaching, resources and data they need to support their students while working closely with the colleges and high schools we serve. But my favorite part of the job is connecting with students.
What’s your go-to comfort food or favorite meal, and why do you love it?
My go-to comfort food is grilled cheese, but not your basic grilled cheese — I take my time to ensure it includes two or three different cheeses, on a sourdough bread, grilled with butter. I love to pair it with tomato soup. I used to take culinary classes in high school, and one day we made grilled cheese. This was my first time having grilled cheese made that way (my childhood meals were Mexican 99% of the time).
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day, and do you have any go-to hobbies or activities?
My favorite way to unwind after a long day is by cooking a nourishing dinner — meals that I truly enjoy making or that remind me of home. Some days, if my body or mind needs it, I’ll take a quick nap. After dinner, I love taking my dogs for a walk — it’s the perfect way to reset. That’s my usual Monday through Friday routine.
Outside of work, I have a few favorite hobbies. I got into salsa at 27 (better late than never!), and I enjoy exploring new and different coffee shops and having outdoor adventures. One of my personal goals is to visit all U.S. national parks — I’ve made it to 16 so far.
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