Meet with a Career Advisor

Valentina Felix has been part of the CSUSB community since 2008, initially as a member of the CoyoteCareers award winning team, which supported underserved students in STEM.

She has also been part of the CSUSB Cybersecurity Center, as the project manager, where she secured nearly $2 million to increase access to the cybersecurity field to unrepresented students. Valentina oversaw the annual CSUSB GenCyber program, recognized as a national model in STEM engagement.

In her current role as Career Advisor, Valentina is the liaison for the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration and is also leading efforts to improve resources and services in the pre-law area.

Valentina has been an active member of the campus Association of Latino Faculty Staff and Students (ALFSS), chairing numerous events over the years.

Along with her husband, Jesse Felix, they have launched the Felix Family Scholarships to support students committed to diversity, inclusion and equity at CSUSB.

She is a Career Counselor, helps students and alumni shape and realize their career goals by providing counseling, workshops, and career-related resources.

She is a proud fellow Yote with a Bachelor in Sociology and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Redlands. 

She also serves as the liaison to the College of Arts & Letters, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, College of Business, Cyber Security, College of Natural Sciences, Nursing, and Alumni Association.

She works closely with employers to give them access to diverse talent in the country.

He is a Career Counselor at California State University, San Bernardino – Palm Desert Campus and works directly with students to explore and connect them to internships and employment opportunities in order to have an educated workforce in the Coachella Valley.

Mr. Fonseca has over fifteen (15) years of experience in higher education while also working for local organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert, College of the Desert, and is Co-Founder of both OneFuture Coachella Valley & University Alumni of the Coachella Valley a program engaging local alumni who are trailblazers within their industry.

He was raised in La Quinta, where he graduated from La Quinta High School in 1999. He attended College of the Desert and then transferred to Fresno State, where he received his Bachelor's degree in Liberals Studies & Masters of Science degree in Counseling & Student Services with an emphasis in Higher Education.

After completing his education, Oscar’s goal was always to return to the Coachella Valley and help other succeed in their educational journey. Oscar is passionate about serving his students and families within the Coachella Valley and constantly advocates for equality.

Mr. Fonseca always shares this quote with his students "Nothing will work unless you DO" – Maya Angelou.

Lauren Amber Williams is a Counselor within the Career Center and has over 5 years of experience supporting students in counseling related and teaching roles, more recently with her roles at the Cal State LA Career Center and Chaffey College. She graduated with her Master’s in Educational Counseling with a PPS credential in 2018 from the University of La Verne.

Serving as a Career Advisor at CSULA, she conducted individual & group advising sessions and designed curriculum & programs that focused on student success and career readiness, which includes workshops and events to develop students in their professional identity, how to effectively explore career interests, make connections & network, prepare for the job application, and target their employment search. She also designed and established a career-themed advising program titled “Career Hour” with the EOP Guardian Scholars Program that began in 2021. And as an Adjunct Counselor with Chaffey College, she semesterly instructed career exploration & life planning courses, and provided academic advisement, assisting students with comprehensive educational plans.

Prior to Lauren’s counseling experiences, she held multiple roles as a Production Artist and Manager at companies within the large format print industry, which included artwork design and overseeing multi-dollar projects for various cosmetic and apparel brands for 8+ years.

Being an IE native, Lauren was raised in Fontana and Chino Hills, graduating from Chino Hills High School in 2007. She attended Cal State Fullerton as a student-athlete on scholarship with the Track & Field team and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a Minor in Gender Studies. Highlights of her accomplishments as a student-athlete was earning the first 4-time Undefeated Big West Conference Champion title in the 100m-Hurdles event, setting the University's current fastest record for the 100m-Hurdles, and she received the Big West Conference Scholar Student-Athlete Award in 2010.

Maricarmen graduated as a first-generation student from CSUSB’s College of Natural Sciences and is passionate about giving back to the CSUSB Community.

As a Career Counselor within the Career Center, she hopes to inspire and encourage students to seek opportunities regardless of their background or perceived limitations.

As a Career Counselor I am excited to help students and alumni gain the confidence as they become career-ready.

She is also a co-advisor to the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) at CSUSB and loves helping student as they prepare to enter a career in HealthCare.

She is a strong advocate for overall wellness and approaches student interactions in a holistic manner.