Contact & Meet the Staff
Office
Location: Science Bldg. 52, Room E7
Main Office Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30am–5pm
Counselor Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9am–4pm
Phone: 805.756.2301
Email: eop@calpoly.edu
Instagram: @eopcalpoly
Staff
Debi Hill
associate vice president for student affairs dehill@calpoly.edu
Debi Hill joined Cal Poly in July 2015 as the Director for the Disability Resource Center and Testing Services. In that position, she advocated and administered resources that provide equal access for all students, faculty, staff, and campus guests. She worked with staff to promote inclusive design, provided guidance on reasonable accommodations, and continues to assess the effectiveness of the campus experience. In the winter of 2019, she was promoted to Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. In this capacity, AVP Hill supports the Disability Resource Center, Student Academic Services (EOP, Upward Bound, and the Center for Military-Connected Students), Career Services, Cal Poly Scholars, and New Student and Transition Programs.
Dr. Hill obtained a bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Development and a Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in School Psychology from Fresno Pacific University. She completed her doctorate in Higher Educational Leadership from Fresno State University in 2021. Dr. Hill holds Administrative and Pupil Personnel Services credentials and has worked extensively in the educational setting. Before coming to Cal Poly, she was the administrator for the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education in Alternative Education. In this position, she managed over 50 classified staff, faculty members, and programs in the county’s Community School sites, Juvenile Court Schools, and Independent Study programs. Dr. Hill was also a psychologist for the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education for several years and was responsible for supporting at-risk and special needs students attending K-12 public schools.
Roger Wang
Eop Director RWANG62@CALPOLY.EDU
My name is Roger Wang and I am honored and proud to be the Educational Opportunity Program Director here at Cal Poly! I am a proud first-generation college student, who grew up in a low-income Asian-American single-parent household, growing up in Los Altos, CA in the Bay Area. My higher education journey started at Cal Poly Humboldt and I graduated with my BA in English - Literary Studies. Since then, I have worked in Student Affairs for over 12 years, working in Housing & Residence Life, the Dean of Students Office, and most importantly, I was an EOP Advisor for 2.5 years at Cal Poly Humboldt where I had a caseload of 200 low-income, first-generation students who I helped from pre-admission all the way to graduation and beyond.
I am ecstatic to have the privilege of working with the EOP program and work with the amazing staff here to help you on your journey to achieve your goal of earning a degree. I am passionate about advocating for and supporting EOP students and I look forward to meeting you. My office is located in Building 52, office 18, and if my door is open, feel free to say hi! I almost always have candy in my office and I love talking to students. So, please stop by and say hi!
Danielle Justesen
EOP Department coordinatoR djUSTESE@CALPOLY.eDU
Hello! My name is Danielle Justesen and I am a SLO native. I attended multiple colleges, navigating transfer processes between CC, CSU, and UC, and received a BA in History. After some time working, I returned to school obtaining my Masters in Education with an emphasis in Teaching. I began my career teaching in urban public-school districts in the Bay Area. In this time, I became deeply committed to supporting communities with all the ins and outs of school systems. Following teaching I continued to focus on supporting the education landscape more broadly through working in operations at two Edtech startups. I am thrilled to join EOP and continue supporting students through their college experience. Navigating college and careers after can be overwhelming and exciting.
When I am not working, I am with my family and our 3 dogs. I enjoy spending time outside, teaching my daughter how to help in the garden, going to Blues baseball games, or taking the dogs to Port San Luis. I am a serial hobbiest and love learning new things. I have tried all sorts of crafts to relax and decompress. Aside from daily life I enjoy going to concerts, traveling, and spending time with friends.
My desk is in the EOP main office E07, feel free to say hi and I look forward to connecting!
EOP Counselors
Cynthia Diaz
Hello everyone! My name is Cynthia Diaz, I was born and raised in Guadalupe, CA. I began my higher education at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria where I received a degree in Liberal Arts. I then transferred to Cal State Northridge and received a degree in Child & Adolescent Development. After working with preschool age children, I quickly realized I wanted to work with older students. I attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where I earned a Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Counseling and Guidance: Higher Education & Student Affairs. My career goal was to become an Academic Counselor and serve underrepresented students in the Central Coast area. I began my work at Allan Hancock College, working for various departments as an Academic Counselor. I have been an EOP Counselor Cal Poly since 2018 and it is truly one of my greatest accomplishments to be able to work for this program. I enjoy the work I get to do with my students and supporting them during their time at Cal Poly and post-graduation.
When I am not at work, I am most likely with my children. I have identical twin boys and identical twin girls, as you could imagine I am busy! I love being a mom and feel extremely blessed to experience motherhood with my four little blessings. Aside from being a mom I enjoy pampering myself, I like to go shopping, wine tasting, going to Dodger games, Pitbull concerts and spending time with my friends.
I look forward to continuing to serve EOP!
Roberto Ruiz
I am a first generation transfer student who grew up in Venice, worked in community recreation in Santa Monica and advocated for students in underrepresented high schools in the Los Angeles Harbor schools, Compton, Norwalk and Long Beach. Even as I assisted students in the Santa Monica Malibu districts, I have learned that students have hope and that is my goal as your EOP counselor ~ to help you in the completion of your degree and to prepare you to the world beyond Cal Poly.
EOP Student Assistants
Kevin Castaneda
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies
Hey Hey everyone! My name is Kevin Castaneda, I am in my 6th year, and I have been here for a minute, so we have some knowledge, so if you'd need any help, or have any question, let me know, I will try my best and if I don’t know we will find out, and if we don’t then we will create a solution. Perfect, I am not, I might not always be on 100, but I care and want to care and am trying, so I got y'all , we got each other. I am currently trying to switch my major, and if the world allows me and if I do everything as best as I can, and hopefully looking to be in healthcare or public health or somewhere in community spaces.
Sergio Gonzalez
Major: Construction Management
Hello Everyone! My name is Sergio Gonzalez. I am a third-year construction management major. I am a first generation student from Vallejo, CA. In my free time I like to go out and spend time with family and friends. #EOPproud
Jose Pardo
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hi! My name is Jose Pardo. I am a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering major. I was raised in the Central Valley in a small town called McFarland. I love playing video games and sports.
Sam Finch
Major: BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Hello, Mustangs! My name is Sam Finch and I am so delighted to be a new EOP Student Assistant this year! Currently, I am a fourth-year Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing here at Cal Poly. In my free time, I love to be outdoors and spend time with friends. I look forward to assisting you and being a part of the EOP team!
Aubriana Medina
Major: sociology
Hello everyone, my name is Aubriana Medina. I am a third-year sociology major with a concentration in pre-law. I am a first-generation college student from Napa, CA. I’m so excited to be an EOP Student Assistant and hopefully have the chance of meeting everyone!
Sonia Rojas
Graduate Student Assistant
My name is Sonia and I am a first-year graduate student in the Higher Education Counseling and Student Affairs Program. I was born and raised in Dana Point, CA. My college journey began at a community college and then transferred to a CSU.
During my time at both colleges, I was fortunate to be a proud member of the EOP program, which played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today. As a first-generation college student, I understand the challenges that come with navigating higher education, but I also know the importance of having the right support system. I am grateful for the opportunity to now be part of the EOP team, where I can contribute to helping students succeed, just as I was supported during my own academic journey.
In my free time, I enjoy exercising, spending time with family and friends, and discovering new food spots. I am eager to connect with all of you!
