Claudia started at Moorpark College in July of 2019.  She has 16 years of experience working in higher education.  Her background is in enrollment management, student services, and academic advising.  Prior to working at Moorpark College she worked at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and CSU Channel Islands  She has a bachelor’s in Film and a Master’s in Education.  

Hi, my name is Noemi Rodriguez and I first joined Moorpark College back in 2020, working for the Financial Aid office. I am a first-generation college graduate and former community college student. My education started at Los Angeles Mission College where I then transfer to CSU Northridge and received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Central American Studies. I am proud to be half Guatemalan and half Mexican. Once I graduated, I completed 2 years of services under the AmeriCorps program, after which I chose to continued my education. I attended Woodbury University, where I received my Masters of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership and then later in my career, I attended Kansas State University where I obtained my Masters of Science degree in Academic Advising. Much of my career background has been associated with educational nonprofits in the Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley areas where I worked with diverse groups of students and families.    

My name is Nancy Canela, SYE/CHESS Counselor, and I have worked at Moorpark College since Fall 2019. Additionally, I have 4 years of teaching experience, and I am part of the Los Angeles Community District where I teach Career Planning and College Success Strategies courses for FYE and dual enrollment students. My experience includes working with economically disadvantaged students. I am former community college student and first-generation student. I attended Los Angeles City College and obtained an Associates in Liberal Arts. Being the first one in my family to attend college was not an easy task.  I faced many challenges such financial hardships, language barrier and college navigation just to name a few. It took me 5 years to complete my Associates, but it was the biggest accomplishment of my life. Subsequently, I transferred to Calstate Los Angeles where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and finally culminated my advanced my studies by attending Calstate Dominguez Hills and graduated with a Master’s degree in Counseling.  I am committed and passionate to help all students reach their academic goals. I believe in the power of teamwork and believe no student should feel alone in their academic journey. I am beyond excited to be part of such wonderful team and continue to assist student in every step of their academic goals.

Philip joined the CHESS team in 2020. He holds a BA in Art and an MA in Visual Art from California State University, Northridge. In 2017 he received his MFA in Sculpture from Cranbrook Academy of Art and currently runs his studio at home. His research and work investigates race, gender, sexuality, and memory. He has worked at several art institutions in administrative and visitor experience roles.