Meet the VRC Staff!
Administration
Dr. Elaine Lipiz Gonzalez
Dean of Student Support Services
Dr. Elaine Lipiz Gonzalez has dedicated her career to helping students from diverse backgrounds succeed in higher education. Prior to her current position, she served as the Director of EOPS/CARE and CalWORKs at Cypress College and also previously worked at UC Irvine as the Director of the SAGE Scholars Program and Community College Programs through the Center for Educational Partnerships. In addition, she has served as adjunct faculty at Santa Ana College and the UC Irvine School of Social Sciences. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at UC Irvine, Master’s degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Student Development in Higher Education at CSU Long Beach, and doctorate in Educational Leadership at CSU Fullerton.
Scott Thompson
Student Services Specialist, full-time
Scott Thompson is motivated to continue promoting student veteran success at Fullerton College. He has been providing educational services for student veterans and students with disabilities since 2010. He is an 8 year United States Army veteran who served active duty from 2005-2009 and served in the reserves from 2010-2013 as a Cavalry Scout. Scott has worked in the Veteran Resource Center as well as Disability Support Services at Fullerton College and has a wealth of knowledge regarding campus and community resources. Scott has earned his Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management from Ashford University and is currently working through his Master of Arts in Education with a specialty in Higher Education.
Tania McKeown
Certifying Official, full-time
Tania McKeown has dedicated her career to working with students. She has demonstrated her passion and devotion towards education while serving in the Disability Support Services Office and transitioning into the Veterans Resource Center. She feels a strong sense of responsibility towards veterans as she has one son who served in the United States Marine Corps. She has a strong sense of responsibility toward students, which she has gained through her college career, personal experience, and work ethic.
Counselors
Dr. Nick Arman
Counselor, full-time
Dr. Nick Arman, has worked with our nation’s veterans in various capacities since 2000. He is a veteran of both the U.S. Marine Corps and the Army National Guard, and is a combat veteran of the Iraq War. Before coming to Fullerton College, Dr. Arman worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a readjustment counselor with prior academic advising and counseling experiences at different levels of higher education such as California State University Northridge and Los Angeles City College. He is committed to providing his students with compassionate and quality guidance in their academic journey. Dr. Arman earned his Master’s degree in Counseling with emphasis in College Counseling and Student Services from California State University, Northridge, and earned his doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Brandman University.
Edder Virgen
Counselor, part-time
Edder has dedicated over 15 years to helping students from high school to junior college. He has worked as a coach, translator, athletic recruiter, and counselor for both high school and college. Edder began his adult education at Fullerton College where he spent two years as a collegiate competitive runner and received two AA degrees. He then transferred to Cal State Fullerton to continue his higher education. At the age of 23 he decided to join the Fullerton College Police Academy from where he graduated with an award. Edder continued his education and obtained a Bachelors in Arts in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Science in Education. He is passionate and dedicated in seeing students accomplish their academic goals.
David Sarmiento
Counselor, Intern Volunteer
David Sarmiento has a strong commitment to empowering student success both in their academic and life goals. He is a veteran of the California Air National Guard, having served as the Duty Chaplain providing Spiritual Resiliency and counseling for the 196th Attack Squadron of the 163d Attack Wing, located at March Air Reserve Base, California. Prior to his arrival to Fullerton College he served as a Guidance Counselor with Ganesha High School of the Pomona Unified School District. Over the past 10 years he has effectively guided diverse student populations such as EAOP, EOPS, PUENTE, Disabled Students and Veterans. David Sarmiento completed his Master’s in School Counseling (Pupil Personnel Services) from Azusa Pacific University. As a first generation college student, a veteran and the father of a Special Needs Child, he has a heart to serve students with a great appreciation for the challenges that all students face on their journey to success.
Dr. Miatta R. Snetter
Psychologist - Outside the Wire, volunteer
Dr. Miatta R. Snetter is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, providing free mental health services on Fullerton College’s campus, in the VRC. As the OC Coordinator of the U.S. Vets, Outside the Wire (OTW) Program, she assists student veterans in pursuit of their academic goals, by helping them manage problems that sometimes “get in the way” of academic success. Free services are offered to veterans and their family and significant others, in a private and CONFIDENTIAL office in the VRC. A graduate of Pepperdine University, where she earned both her Master’s and Doctoral Degrees, Dr. Snetter is honored to provide free mental health services to our Nation’s Veterans. So, come by the VRC and join her and other vets at a monthly “Circle Up” or for individual or couples therapy. Until then, Be Well!
Veteran Work Studies
Nathan Chin
VA Work-Studies, part-time
Nathan Chin served in the Army as a medic for 4 years. He is currently a student at Fullerton College and is excited about being back home and being able to help veterans.
Eric Cho
VA Work-Studies, part-time
Eric Cho served in the Navy as a medic for 5 years. He is currently a Biology Major at Fullerton College and is excited about being back home and being able to help veterans.
Travis Mahaffey
Veterans Work Study, part time
Travis Mahaffey is a full-time student at Fullerton College majoring in Computer Information Systems. He joined the Army National Guard at 17, and has done deployments to Kosovo and Iraq. Travis eventually plans to transfer to a 4 year university to earn his Bachelor’s Degree and work in the IT field.
Ana Reyes
VA Work-Studies, part-time
Ana Reyes is currently a full-time student at Fullerton College, perusing a career in Computer Science. Ana served in the United States Marine Corps for four years, primarily out of Okinawa, Japan. Ana believes in giving back to the veteran community and is excited and proud to be able to do that through the Veterans Resource Center.
Krizia Feraren
Veteran Work-Studies, part-time
Ia served in the Marine Corps for 4 years, and the Reserves for a year and a half. Currently she is a Chemistry major who aspires to become an orthopedic surgeon.
Sam Mendivel
Veteran Work-Studies, part-time
Sam served in the United States Navy and was stationed at Coronado Island, Naval Air Station. She is pursuing a career in Physical Therapy and is excited to help and assist veterans at Fullerton College.
Sherry Pope
Veteran Work-Studies, part-time
Tyler Rogers
Veteran Work Study, part-time
Tyler Rogers served in the Marine Corps for four years. He is currently a full time student at Fullerton College and is majoring in psychology. He is excited for the opportunity to help veterans out as much as possible by working at the Veterans Resource Center.
Tutors
Trenton Kruegel
Math Tutor, part-time
Trenton served 5 years in the Marine Corps as a signals intelligence operator. He is currently going to school full-time pursuing his BS in Electrical Engineering at CSU Fullerton. He is excited to work with other vets and help out anyone that needs assistance with school.
Cassandra Vargas
Math Tutor, part-time
Cassandra has been a math tutor at Fullerton College for 3 years. She graduated with her AS-T in mathematics and is currently continuing her education at CSU Fullerton. She aspires to become a math teacher.
Graphic Designer
Eli Hebert
Graphic Designer, part-time
Eli is a graphic designer who received his Associates in Arts with emphasis in Graphic Design and Advertising from Fullerton College, and is pursuing a Bachelors of Fine Arts with emphasis in Graphic Design and UI/UX Design at California State University Fullerton. He aspires to design for the movie or video game industry, and to eventually become a design instructor.