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Meet the Team

Academic Counselor

Karina Avalos
Title: USS Academic Counselor
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Email:kaeavalo@ucsc.edu
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Bio

Karina (she/her/ella) was born in Guerrero, Mexico, and raised in San Jose, California. After earning her undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Cross-Cultural Studies from the National Hispanic University, she found herself intrigued by the work of student affairs professionals. Prior to joining the UCSC campus community, Karina served San Jose State University for almost 10 years. In the first half of her tenure, she worked as a Graduation Evaluator for the Office of the Registrar liasoning to the College of Health and Human Sciences. In the latter half, her experience culminated as a Counselor and Graduation Data Specialist for the College of Humanities & Arts, where she supported a range of initiatives to drive student retention, graduation, and success.

As a DACAmented counselor, Karina understands firsthand many of the challenges that undocumented students and their families can face in their everyday lives and in higher education. Once she discovered her passion for service in student affairs, she became unequivocally committed to advocating for underrepresented students in higher education.

As the USS Counselor, Karina will serve with heart and skills to elevate, support, and advocate for undocumented students on campus and beyond.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and her dog, Gino, going to the beach, drawing, savoring her favorite ice-cream (sometimes tamarind, mostly nance fruit), and discovering new music.

Stop by the ARCenter to visit her in person on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays or catch her on Zoom.
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Program Consultant

Daniela Jiménez de Anda
Title: USS Program Consultant
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Email:daljimen@ucsc.edu
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Bio

Hi everyone! My name is Daniela Jiménez De Anda and I am the Program Consultant for Undocumented Student Services under the Educational Opportunity Programs at UC Santa Cruz. I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México and moved to Salinas, CA at the age of nine. I graduated as a first generation college student from UC Santa Barbara where I majored in Sociology and Chicana/o Studies. Within my role as the USS Program Consultant, I am excited to have the opportunity to support undocumented students through the programs and services that Undocumented Student Services provides at UCSC. Be sure to check out some of our events and programs throughout the year. A little bit about myself: in my free time I enjoy going on hikes and spending time with my family and friends.
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UC Santa Cruz Attorney

Ritu Goswamy
Title: UCSC Attorney
Pronouns: They/them
Email:ritu.ucimm@law.ucdavis.edu
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Bio

Ritu Goswamy (they/them) is a Staff Attorney with the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center and serves UC Santa Cruz. They are graduates from Barnard College, Columbia University (B.A. Psychology, minor in English) and Boston College (Joint J.D./M.S.W. degrees). Prior to joining the Center, Ritu worked as a child welfare worker in Oakland, and as an attorney with the Legal Aid Society – Employment Law Center (now Legal Aid at Work) and Legal Advocates for Children & Youth (part of the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley). Ritu Goswamy Equal Justice Works Fellow with Homeboy Industries, where they founded the legal services program serving formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated people. Ritu then ran their own private immigration law practice for 15 years focused on complex family-based and naturalization cases, U visas, VAWA, asylum, and removal defense. Ritu is also a leadership and wellness coach and published author. They enjoy hiking, walking on the beach, farmers markets and ayurvedic wellness practices. Ritu is a second-generation immigrant, and proficient in Spanish and Hindi.
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Graduate Intern 2023-24

Juan Ruiz Cortes
Title: Graduate Fellow
Pronouns: He/él
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Bio
I believe in cultivating resources for undocumented students, theorizing about the undocumented lived experience, and respecting, valuing, and enjoying all forms of People of Color livingness. More concretely, I provide workshops on navigating graduate school when you are undocumented, launching a business venture, and researching theories of undocumentedness. I also enjoy watching good films, cooking tasty meals, playing soccer, and swimming or hiking when it rains.
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Undergrad Interns 2023-24

Sandra Siguachi Hernandez
Title: Administrative Intern
Pronouns: She/her/ella
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Bio
Title: Administrative Intern
Pronouns: She/her/ella

Hello everyone! My name is Sandra Siguachi, and I use she/her/ella pronouns. I was born in El Salvador and immigrated to the United States four years ago with my dad. I have lived in the Bay Area since moving to the US. I am a second-year computer science major. My ultimate goal is to become a software engineer, advocate for students with similar backgrounds, and empower women in STEM. I love spending time with my family. I enjoy listening to music, watching movies (currently rewatching Marvel movies), and playing soccer. I look forward to meeting you all. I am so excited to be working with Undocumented Student Services and supporting students with similar backgrounds as me.
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Juana Alvarez Ortiz
Title: Programming Intern
Pronouns: She/They
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Bio

Hello everyone! My name is Juana Alvarez Ortiz, I am a fourth year Sociology Major and will be supporting as a Programming Intern this year. I was born in Michoacán, Mexico and immigrated to the states at the young age of four. Currently I reside in Soledad CA but stay on campus for the school year so reach out for any support! As a programming intern I am excited to incorporate all my knowledge and passion for community building into each event we plan for you all. Please reach out in regard to any resources or questions you might have, or come by to the ARC RM 216A to get to know us and chat!! We’d love to meet you all. Remember to always take up space and let your light shine bright.
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Yesui Khatanbaatar
Title: Programming Intern
Pronouns: She/her
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Bio
Hello everyone!! My name is Yesui Khatanbaatar, and I am a programming intern for USS this year. I'm a second-year legal studies and political science double major. I was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area at the age of 12. I am very excited to work with and support undocumented students here at UCSC.
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Karina Diaz Alvarez
Title: Programming Intern
Pronouns: Any
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Bio
Hello! My name is Karina, and I am a fourth-year psychology and legal studies double major. I'm from the Bay Area and have used my time at UCSC to work alongside other students to combat issues such as food insecurity and high prison recidivism rates. I look forward to continuing my work at USS as an undocumented student myself. In my free time, I love to hang out with my cats and watch Adventure Time.
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Camila Castaneda Calzada
Title: Programming Intern
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
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Bio
Hello Slugs! My name is Camila Castaneda Calzada and I am the Programming Intern for Undocumented Student Services. I am majoring in Environmental Science and plan to become an Environmental Engineer in the future. Within my role as the USS Programming Intern, my primary focus is to assist with supporting the "Life After College" series. "Life After College" series is an enriching and informative workshop series designed to empower students with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the post-undergraduate phase of their academic journey. Whether you're aspiring to become an entrepreneur, contemplating further education, or seeking your dream job, the Life After College Series is here to support you on your path to success. In my free time, I enjoy running, cooking and thrifting!
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Veronica Angulo Zavala
Title: CUIP Programming Intern
Pronouns: She/Her/They
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Bio
Hello, my name is Veronica. I chose to Intern at USS because I have always admired their dedication in helping uplift the Undocumented Students at UCSC and I wanted to take part in their efforts! I also enjoy planning events, brainstorming activities, and networking with other orgs on campus. I love listening to music, creating art, cooking and going to Aquariums.
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Caishu Tian
Title: Marketing Intern
Pronouns: Any
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Bio
I'm Caishu, I go by any pronouns and I'm the Marketing Intern for USS this year. My primary focus at USS is to create promotional materials for all the events we host. It's cool that I am able to combine my passion for art and helping out those in my same situation through my role at USS. I am a 2nd year Art and AGPM double major and enjoy printmaking, listening to music, and hanging out with rats in my free time.
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Meet the Team

Academic Counselor

Karina Avalos

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Program Consultant

Daniela Jiménez de Anda

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UC Santa Cruz Attorney

Ritu Goswamy

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Graduate Intern 2023-24

Juan Ruiz Cortes

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Undergrad Interns 2023-24

Sandra Siguachi Hernandez

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Juana Alvarez Ortiz

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Yesui Khatanbaatar

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Karina Diaz Alvarez

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Camila Castaneda Calzada

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Veronica Angulo Zavala

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Caishu Tian

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