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Meet the Summer Bridge Professional Staff

Photo of Summer Bridge Professional Staff. In Order from Left to Right: Andre, Van, Martha, Donnet and Bel.

OASIS Summer Bridge Professional Team

  • Bel Geronimo

    Bel Geronimo

    Pronouns: she/her/siya

    Summer Programs Manager – OASIS

    • Originally from San Diego, California's Paradise Hills area; at OASIS since 2016; Summer Bridge 2010 Alumni

    • B.A. Human Development

    • Thrilled to be part of a program that has contributed a great amount to my personal success and retention at UC San Diego.
  • Andre Thompson

    Andre Thompson

    Pronouns: he/him/his

    Summer Bridge Assistant Coordinator – OASIS

    • Originally from Shelby, NC ; at OASIS since 2018, Summer Bridge 2013 Alum
    • B.A. Political Science, Minor African American Studies & M.A Social Justice and Human Rights
    • Passionate about supporting students' self-empowerment and connecting them to resources in a supportive community.
  • Vanessa Keodara

    Vanessa Keodara

    Pronouns: she/her/her(s)

    Summer Programs Assistant – OASIS

    • Originally from San Diego, California; at OASIS since 2022; Summer Bridge 2017 Alumni
    • B.S Cognitive Science with Specialization in Design and Interaction, Double Minor in Communications and Design
    • Excited to support and be a part of a program that has helped me grow during my undergrad years.
  • Donnet Montanez

    Donnet Montanez

    Pronouns: he/him/his

    Summer Programs Assistant – OASIS

    • Originally from Ventura, California; at OASIS since 2020; TRIO SSSP 2018 Alumni
    • B.A International Studies - Sociology
    • Looking forward to connecting with new incoming students, and helping them navigate UC San Diego holistically.
  • Martha Montoya

    Martha Montoya

    Pronouns: she/her/ella

    Summer Bridge Program Support Specialist, OASIS

    • Originally from San Diego, California; at OASIS since 2023; Summer Bridge 2018 Alumni; CASP 2018 Alumni
    • B.S Human Developmental Sciences & Minor in Global Health
    • Excited to support and guide new students as they navigate UC San Diego. I'm also eager to give back to the program that helped me during my undergraduate and professional journey.

Teaching + Learning Commons Team

  • Marie Schier

    Marie Schier

    Pronouns: she/her/her(s)

    Associate Director of Academic Achievement Learning Services

    • Originally from San Diego, CA; at UC San Diego since winter 2021; developing peer mentoring and academic success programs for over 6 years.
    • M.S. Higher Education and Student Affairs, Baylor University
    • Passionate about creating programming that fosters a caring, equitable, and supportive community for all students in their academic journey.
  • Robbie Lyons

    Robbie Lyons

    Pronouns: he/him/his
    Supplemental Instruction Coordinator – Academic Achievement Services, Teaching + Learning Commons (TLC)
    • Previously a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader for BioPsych and a Peer Mentor at CSUSM. Proud first-generation student who found empowerment through his college experience.
    • Passionate about the value that SI brings in terms of academic and social integration, and the benefit it offers on academic, personal, and professional levels. A firm believer that learning is always worthwhile but learning together is truly remarkable, as all individuals bring unique perspectives and experiences that contribute to the process of collaboration and understanding
  • Julia Garcia-Medina

    Julia Garcia-Medina

    Pronouns: she/her/her(s)

    Content Tutor Coordinator – Academic Achievement Services, Teaching + Learning Commons (TLC)

    • Originally from La Puente, California; at Teaching + Learning Commons since 2022.
    • B.S. in Environmental Chemistry with Minors in Education and Sociology.
    • I found immense support from Summer Bridge and OASIS staff during my time as a UC San Diego student. I am eager to provide support to foster the success of Summer Bridge students by providing academic and critical thinking skill development support.
  • Ysabel Jaimes

    Ysabel Jaimes

    Pronouns: she/her/her(s)

    Math Academic Support Coordinator – Academic Achievement Services, Teaching + Learning Commons (TLC)

    • Originally from San Diego, California; recently joined UC San Diego in January of 2024 
    • B.A. in Liberal Studies, M.A.T. in Mathematics Education, Bilingual Authorized Teaching Credential 
    • Firm believer in journeying alongside stdents educational pathways to provide guidance and equitable access
  • Annika Wong 

    Annika Wong 

    Pronouns: she/her/her(s)

    Supplemental Instruction Coordinator

    • Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii; at the Teaching and Learning Commons since June of 2024.
    • M.A. in Communication Studies with a focus on instructional communication from San Diego State University.
    • Committed to creating and maintaining accessible, inclusive, and human-centered educational opportunities for all. 
    • Other passions include: surfing, camping, baking, criminal justice reform, sunrises/sunsets, and reading

Steering Committee

  • Dr. Maruth Figueroa

    Dr. Maruth Figueroa

    Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Retention & Success (Co-chair)
  • Dr. David Ruiter

    Dr. David Ruiter

    Faculty Director, Teaching + Learning Commons (Co-chair)
  • Rocco Fragomeni

    Rocco Fragomeni

    Director, Summer Planning
  • Bel Geronimo

    Bel Geronimo

    Summer Programs Manager, OASIS
  • Dr. Christina Medina-Ramirez

    Dr. Christina Medina-Ramirez

    Director, OASIS