Rose Gibbens

Native American Center for Academic Excellence (ITEPP)

At El Centro, Rodriguez has an open door policy and encourages everyone to stop by her office for a chat and some snacks. Rodriguez helps students get to graduation along with what to do after. She writes students letters of recommendation, helps them find jobs, fill out job applications and practice talking to people to develop essential life skills.

“For my students it's just getting them where they need to be, it's not even just getting your degree but learning the life skills that you're gonna take with you outside of your education,” Rodri-

(El Centro)

guez said. “You get a degree but what do you do with it after?”

Rodriguez is a first generation Latina from Coachella Valley. In 2017, a running scholarship took her to University of Notre Dame as a psychology major until an unfortunate injury took her down a different path. In 2020, Rodriguez graduated from CPH.

“You are welcome to come for whatever reason, I am here, we are here to help you,” she said. “We’re not just here to help you academically, we're here to help you in life, culturally as well.”

Gibbens office is inviting and adorned with notes and pictures from her daughter. Gibbens makes the effort to make sure her students know she is committed to their success. She has physically walked students to places on campus to make sure they are getting the services that they need.

“I really just want to do for students what was done for me when I came here, ‘cause the reality was if it wasn't for ITEPP there's a very good chance that I would not have stayed,” Gibbens said. Gibbens grew

“I really just want to do for students what was done for me when I came here, ‘cause the reality was if it wasn't for ITEPP there's a very good chance that I would not have stayed,” up on Yurok Reservation She has been working in education for the reservation and Humboldt for as long as she could remember.

“If I can help them navigate services whether it be financial aid, whether it be cashiers, whether it be CARE [Campus Assistance, Response, and Engagement], whatever, we're gonna not only tell them where it's at, we're gonna show them where it's at,” Gibbens said.

If students are not sure where to start or not sure what they will get out of advising Gibbens encourages you to, “Just come see us” before deciding if it's the right fit for you.