Vanessa Chavez Business Counselor: M.A. in Educational Counseling, Azuza Pacific University. B.A. in Psychology, California State University of Long Beach. A.A. in General Education, Rio Hondo College.
Vanessa Chavez is our Business and Arts Counselor at Rio Hondo College. She is eager to meet with any student majoring in the Business/ Arts field to discuss potential career options, so please reach out to her to build an Educational Plan. Vanessa prides herself on her ability to provide students with clear information while motivating them at the same time. Since Vanessa was also a Rio Hondo College student, she can relate well to the experiences of our first-generation college students. On a personal note, Vanessa enjoys Salsa dancing, playing volleyball, and is an identical twin. Please feel free to reach out to Vanessa as she looks forward to meeting you. You can find her in the Business building room B-100 or by calling 562-463-7357.
Martha De La Mora Counselor/ Professor M.A. in Education/Counseling, CSUDH B.A. in Sociology, UCLA
Julio Flores Counselor/Professor Ed.D in Educational Leadership / California State University, Long Beach, M.A. in Educational Counseling / University of Southern California (USC), B.S. in Communications / Cal Poly Pomona.
Dr. Julio Rene Flores is a General Counselor at Rio Hondo College. As a matter of fact, he attended Rio Hondo College before transferring to a four-year university, so he is familiar with your student experience. Dr. Flores adheres to a Gestalt counseling approach in his one-on-one sessions. At the core of gestalt therapy is the holistic view that people are intricately linked to and influenced by their environments and that all people strive toward growth and balance. Dr. Flores teaches courses in personal growth & development, stress & anxiety management, and career exploration. He also teaches in counseling masters programs and has taught at USC, Cal State Dominguez Hills, and the University of La Verne. When he’s not counseling or teaching, he enjoys frequenting the gym, or watching RuPaul’s Drag Race (He is a firm believer that Denali Fox is the greatest drag performer in the world and he encourages you to prove him wrong after discussing your educational goals). Dr. Flores holds his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communications from Cal Poly Pomona, Master of Education in Educational Counseling from the University of Southern California, and an Educational Doctorate (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership Community College/Higher Education Educational Leadership from the California State University, Long Beach.
Yunior Hernandez General Counselor/Associate Professor M.S. in Counseling, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) B.A. in Sociology: Counseling and Interviewing, California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
Yunior Hernandez has a wide range of experience counseling Dreamers, student-athletes, international students, special programs and transfer students. He is passionate about working with community college students and walks them along the way in meeting their personal and educational goals. His love for guiding college students is unconditional and his genuine approach is demonstrated through every interaction he has with his students, it his goal to make you succeed. So please stop by our Counseling Department as it would be his pleasure to meet you.
Jorge Huinquez Communications & Languages Counselor / Puente Project Coordinator: Counselor/ Associate Professor M.E.d. in Education, University of San Diego B.A. in Urban Planning, CSUN A.A. in General Studies, Southwestern College
Jorge Huinquez is the Puente Project Counselor/Coordinator and Public Safety liaison counselor. As an alumnus of the community college himself, he knows what the student’s needs are. He enjoys helping students find answers to their education and guides them towards their goals. As a counselor, Jorge is dedicated to providing students the support and guidance necessary in order to succeed. He looks forward to meeting you and making your journey at Rio Hondo College a positive experience.
Jose Lara Transfer Center Counselor – California State University, Los Angeles – Bachelor Degree: Business Administration: Concentration in Human Resources B.S. Minor: Rehabilitation Services. Master Degree: Counseling: Concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling M.S. Concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling
Schedule an appointment and let’s explore your options for transfer and life success. I am available at the Transfer Center, Room SS250. See you soon!
Dorali Pichardo-Diaz Transfer Center Counselor: Counselor/ Associate Professor M.S. in Counseling, CSULB B.A. in Sociology, CSULB B.A. in Spanish, CSULB B.A. in Translation/Interpretation Studies, CSULB.
Elizabeth Ramirez Counselor/Articulation Officer. M.S. in Counseling, University of La Verne. B.A. in Psychology, Scripps College.
Elizabeth serves as the Articulation Officer for the campus. The Articulation Officer is responsible for facilitating articulation agreements between Rio Hondo College and other colleges and universities including the University of California (UC), the California State University (CSU), and many private and out-of-state baccalaureate degree-granting institutions. The Articulation Officer is an advocate for student transfer and seeks to ease the transfer process by providing advisement on IGETC, CSU GE-Breadth, and Associate Degree requirements.
Mary Rivera Counselor/ Professor M.A. in Counseling, CSULB B.A. in Psychology, CSULB Specialization: Nursing
Mary has been a counselor at Rio Hondo since August 1988 and she began specializing in counseling nursing students in 1991. Being one of nine children and a “people-oriented” person, she fit right into the counselor role comfortably. Her high energy, motivation, and compassion are traits and values that she uses in both the counseling and classroom settings. Although her specialty is” Nursing”, Mary prides herself on being able to assist any student with their needs and goals, regardless of major, career or educational path.
Julius Thomas Tenured Counselor / Professor M.S. in Counseling w/ PPS Credential/ California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB), B.S. in Psychology & Sociology / University California, Riverside (UCR), A.S. in Psychology, Riverside Community College.
My experience at Rio Hondo started as an Athletic Counselor, I have also coordinated the Transfer Center before becoming a Generalist Counselor; I have enjoyed being a part of a team which ensures student success and achievement. I look forward meeting each and every student who passes through the Counseling Department.
David Tieu Transfer Center Counselor/ Associate Professor, M.S. in Counseling California State University Long Beach (CSULB) option in Student Development in Higher Education, B.A. in Psychology Cal Poly Pomona.
Diana Valladares Fire Academy Counselor – M.S. in Counseling and B.A. in Liberal Studies, California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
Diana is the Fire and Wildland Academy counselor who also serves as the counselor at the Rio Hondo Educational Center at the Pico Rivera campus. She has served at Rio Hondo College since 2014. Prior to coming to Rio Hondo College, she taught elementary and middle school for 3 years.
Irene Vu Counselor/Professor M.A. in Counseling emphasis in Education/ California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), B.S. in Human Services/ California State University Fullerton (CSUF), A.A. Liberal Arts Mt. SAC.
Irene is a General counselor who also takes on the role of being our International Student Counselor. She has been the Counseling Department’s designated Child Development Counselor for quite some time, so if you ever need help in the following areas please stop by so she can assist you.
