Category Archives: Student Success Center

Get to Know Talisha Teague

By: Itzel Medina

Academic advisers assist students in making long-term decisions about their education and careers. Academic advisors become  invested in their students’ lives like Stockton, California native, Talisha Teague. Teague is an academic advisor from the College of Health and Human Sciences. She started her advising career at the University of Oklahoma then decided to come back to California and began working at San Jose State University in 2017.

“Seeing the students succeed is my favorite part of being an advisor. I stay in touch with my students from OU and SJSU and I love hearing about their jobs and what they are up to in their careers,” said Teague. According to Anthony Korsund, director of the CHHS Student Success Center, “Talisha is, in many respects, the heart and soul of the CHHS Student Success Center team.”

Teague’s advice to her students is, “You are on your own timeline. Don’t base your academics on what your parents or friends think. Come up with your own plan and have fun with it!” She wants to make sure students know that everything is at their own pace and don’t feel discouraged just because someone else is completing a goal before they do.

Not only is Teague an academic advisor at the success center, but she is also the Program Coordinator. She is in charge of the events and many projects for the student success center. The Ice Cream Socials and the CHHS Student Organization Fair were all her, with the help of her coworkers of course.

In addition to her work as an academic advisor and program coordinator, she is also a baker. “Ways to de-stress are cooking and baking, which I give samples to family and friends and coworkers,” said Teague. Not only is baking a stress reliever for her but she does it because she loves it. Enjoy this picture of Teague’s delicious cookies.

CHHS Advisor Spotlight: Hugo Mora-Torres

By: Itzel Medina

Hugo Mora-Torres, CHHS Student Success CenterReading through newsletters we tend to read about students, professors, or even the deans, but we rarely get to read stories  about the academic advisors. Academic advisors are the people that are very involved in the students’ college career. “I have advised many students who have graduated from health career programs as MD’s, dentists, physician assistants, nurses, etc. and are helping to keep our community healthy. Many still send me Christmas cards with pictures of their families and that is very fulfilling,” said Hugo Mora-Torres, an academic advisor in the Department of Public Health and Recreation. A fun fact about him is he likes to garden. He is currently working on a “Salsa Garden” which contains 3 varieties of tomatoes, chilies, and herbs.

Hugo’s educational background is a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology with Specialization in Medical Anthropology and received a Masters Degree in Educational Counseling. “After careers in Medical School admissions Health Care Administration, and Managing Health Promotion programs I decided that my most fulfilling career has been helping students achieve their academic and career potential. So I went back to school to get my Masters degree, to be able to work in my current role.” said Hugo. He enjoys helping students get to where they need to be in order to succeed.

He mentioned that he still receives Christmas cards from his former students which is very fulfilling. It is important for students to meet with their academic advisors, to have that “continuity of advising”. Students do not have to visit their advisor everyday or every month, rather,  he suggests meeting with an advisor at least once a semester or however often the student feels the need to meet.

One note of advice that Hugo wanted to share with current students is a quote that has a deep meaning for him from Louis Pasteur, “Chance favors the prepared mind.”

Hugo Mora-Torres, CHHS Student Success CenterHugo thinks of it as, “Enjoy learning and keep your mind open to new experiences and knowledge.” Something Hugo wanted to add is, “We are experiencing a remarkable period in human history. COVID-19, Global Warming and the political climate challenging the future of this world. However, as an optimist, I feel that we will make the best of it and we will, with a concerted human effort, make it a better place than we found it.”

Success Center shares services with new students

The College of Applied Sciences and Arts Student Success Center hosted an open house on Sept. 2, with more than 30 new San José State University freshmen and transfer students from the 10 departments and schools in the College present.

During the Open House, peer advisers and peer tutors talked about the many services available to students at the CASA Student Success Center, which is located in MacQuarrie Hall 533. Students can receive general education advising, help with completing change of major/minor forms or other paperwork on campus and even tips on navigating mysjsu. Drop in advising is available on Tuesdays, from 1:30-4 p.m. and other days by appointment.

Students also can receive tutoring for the following courses: Stat 95, Chem 30A, Biol 65 and Biol 66. Writing tutors are available in coordination with the SJSU Writing Center. The center also has laptops and iPads available by reservation.

Heather Miller, a peer adviser, shared some of the other benefits of the space on the Fifth floor.

“If you need, you can leave your lunch here,” she said, of the refrigerator and microwave available. “There are study rooms you can reserve for group projects.”

Throughout the year, the Center is host to workshops on taking the GRE, writing a personal statement for graduate school and how to be successful in Biol 65/66, a key course for many CASA majors.

The peer advisers and peer tutors, all who are students within CASA, led the new students through an ice breaker so they could get to know each other better. The students interacted by asking others about what year they were in school, what generation college student they were, what their major was and where they were from with the goal of finding the person who was most similar to them and least similar to them.

Tony Korsund, an academic adviser with the Center, said one of the goals is to help students build community.

“We’d like you to think of this as a home away from home,” he said.

To find out more about services or to make an advising appointment, call 408-924-2910 or email CASAsuccesscenter@sjsu.edu. Follow the CASA Student Success Center on Twitter at @CASA_SSC, on Instagram at @CASA_SSC or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CASAStudentSuccessCenter

Nursing student elected to Delta Sigma Phi Grand Council

Felix Navarro, a student in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Valley Foundation School of Nursing, has been  elected to the Grand Council, only the second person from San José State University to represent Delta Sigma Phi on a national level. The council consists of nine members, two of whom are undergraduate students, who serve on the fraternity’s national board of directors.

“I will be serving as one of nine board members that help guide the direction and overall growth of Delta Sigma Phi,” he said, via email. “Several key goals I would like to accomplish during my two-

Felix Navarro, a student in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Valley Foundation School of Nursing, has been elected to the Grand Council, only the second person from San Jose State University to represent Delta Sigma Phi on a national level. The council consists of nine members, two of whom are undergraduate students, who serve on the fraternity’s national board of directors. “I will be serving as one of nine board members that help guide the direction and overall growth of Delta Sigma Phi,” he said, via email. “Several key goals I would like to accomplish during my two-year term are to improve national communication for subsequent chapters and to improve alumni retention and involvement across the country.” Navarro has been a member of Delta Sigma Phi since he was a freshman in 2010. This year marks his fourth year with the fraternity. “Being a part of Delta Sigma Phi has been the gift of a lifetime,” he said. “In addition to the many transferable skills the organization has taught me with its numerous leadership programs, I have been able to create everlasting bonds of friendship with my chapter brothers. Making great memories and serving the SJSU community with these gentlemen is my favorite part of being a lifetime member.” As a student, Navarro said the skills he’s learned from the leadership activities have helped him on the hospital floor when he interacts with staff and patients during the clinical rotations required of nursing students. “Being part of the Grand Council will allow me to further sharpen these skills and meet many different people from across the country,” he said. “Working and interacting with these diverse individuals can and will only make me a better nurse, especially as a California nurse, where most patients are from a variety of different backgrounds.” He said he also hoped his role as a national board member would help to focus some positive attention on San Jose State University. “I believe that having an SJSU student serve on a national board of directors for a multi-million dollar nonprofit organization shows what kinds of leaders San Jose State is building,” he said. “It shows the kind of leadership qualitied and capabilities the College of Applied Sciences and Arts – especially Nursing – instills in its students.” Many of the members of the Grand Council are presidents, vice presidents or partners at their firms. In addition to his leadership role in Delta Sigma Phi and the challenging course load of the Nursing program, Navarro works as a peer advisor in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Student Success Center.

Felix Navarro, a student in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Valley Foundation School of Nursing, has been elected to the Grand Council.

year term are to improve national communication for subsequent chapters and to improve alumni retention and involvement across the country.”

Navarro has been a member of Delta Sigma Phi since he was a freshman in 2010. This year marks his fourth year with the fraternity.

“Being a part of Delta Sigma Phi has been the gift of a lifetime,” he said. “In addition to the many transferable skills the organization has taught me with its numerous leadership programs, I have been able to create everlasting bonds of friendship with my chapter brothers. Making great memories and serving the SJSU community with these gentlemen is my favorite part of being a lifetime member.”

As a student, Navarro said the skills he’s learned from the leadership activities have helped him on the hospital floor when he interacts with staff and patients during the clinical rotations required of nursing students.

“Being part of the Grand Council will allow me to further sharpen these skills and meet many different people from across the country,” he said. “Working and interacting with these diverse individuals can and will only make me a better nurse, especially as a California nurse, where most patients are from a variety of different backgrounds.”

He said he also hoped his role as a national board member would help to focus some positive attention on SJSU.

“I believe that having an SJSU student serve on a national board of directors for a multi-million dollar nonprofit organization shows what kinds of leaders San José State is building,” he said. “It shows the kind of leadership qualitied and capabilities the College of Applied Sciences and Arts – especially Nursing – instills in its students.”

Many of the members of the Grand Council are presidents, vice presidents or partners at their firms.

In addition to his leadership role in Delta Sigma Phi and the challenging course load of the Nursing program, Navarro works as a peer advisor in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Student Success Center.

CASA Student Success Center now offers tutoring

The College of Applied Sciences and Arts Student Success Center at San José State University now offers drop-in peer tutoring in MacQuarrie Hall 533 in biology and chemistry. Tutoring is available for two key science courses taken by kinesiology, pre-nursing, nutrition and pre-occupational therapy majors. Tutoring will also continue to be available for writing.

Drop-in peer tutoring will be available at the following times and days:

Biology 65 Human Anatomy

  • Mondays:  10 a.m. to noon, 12:30-5 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 10 a.m. to noon, 3-5 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 10 a.m. to noon, 12:30-5 p.m.
  • Thursday: 10 a.m. to noon

Chemistry 30A Introduction to Chemistry

  • Mondays: noon-5 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: noon-5p.m.

A Writing Center one-on-one tutor is available at the Student Success Center on Tuesdays, from 2-5 p.m. or Thursdays, from noon-2 p.m. by appointment only. Tutors will help students with improving their writing in self-identified areas. Tutors do not offer proofreading or editing services. To make an appointment with the writing tutor, register online at www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter or call the Writing Center at 408-924-2308.

The Student Success Center continues to offer drop-in advising for all College of Applied Sciences and Arts students on Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30-4 p.m., as well as by appointment. Peer advising is also available.

The College of Applied Sciences and Arts Student Success Center is located in MacQuarrie Hall 533. It is open Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment for advising, call 408-924-2910.