Dream Success Center Staff
Gaby D. Encinas, M.A., Coordinator, Dream Success Center
M.A. in Education: Educational Leadership and Administration
gencinas@csufresno.edu
559.278.1554
Gaby was the first in her family to attend college. She graduated from Fresno State
and received her Bachelors in Chemistry and Masters in Educational Leadership. Gaby
was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. As a first generation college students she
knows first-hand what our students go through and has used her experiences to help
other students be successful at Fresno State. She is passionate about helping all
Fresno State students and uses her networking and collaborative skills to partner
with faculty, staff, and departments in providing services to our undocumented student
population. Her goal is to grow the Dream Success Center by providing much needed
support, guidance, and advocacy to and for our undocumented students on campus. She
has previously worked at Fresno State under the College Assistance Migrant Program,
the Jordan College Advising and Career Development Center, Health Careers Opportunity
Program, and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program.
Fun Fact: Gaby loves to read non-fiction books and loves going to the movies. Her dream is to visit Europe especially France to continue practicing speaking French.
Favorite Quote: "He who wants to do good knocks at the gate: he who loves finds the door open." - Rabindranath Tagore
Patricia Ayala Macías, B.A. and B.S.,
Dream Success Center Academic Advising Intern
2nd year Graduate Student, M.A. in Education: Educational Leadership and Administration
ayalamac@mail.fresnostate.edu
Patricia grew up and lived the majority of her time in the Bay Area. Patricia was born in Jalisco, México and migrated with her family to Napa, California at the age of 2. She went to pursue her Bachelor's of Art and Science in Business Administration and Chicano and Latino Studies and minored in Spanish at Sonoma State University. As a former McNair Scholar, she had the opportunity to research Latinx in education and Hispanic Serving Institutions. Her passion for mentoring and advocating for underrepresented and undocumented students stems from her own experience of limited mentorship and guidance in navigating higher education. Patricia's experience in program development, student engagement, and advocacy have led her to work in many different positions in Student Affairs. As a child of an agriculture worker, Patricia understands the challenges of balancing family responsibilities, engaging family in higher education, and navigating two-world views. At Fresno State, Patricia is excited to continue to work with students and continue to develop as a scholar-practitioner.
Fun Fact: I was named Patricia because I was born on St. Patrick's Day
Favorite Quote: "The older I get, the more I'm conscious of ways very small things can make a change in the world. Tiny little things, but the world is made up of tiny matters, isn't it?" By Sandra Cisneros.
Alejandra Bedolla Alcantar, Peer Mentor
4th Year Sociology Major
Alejandra was born in Puruándiro Michoacán, Mexico and migrated to California at the age of three. She is on her last year of completing her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology with a Certificate in Serving at-risk Youth and a Certificate in Cross-Cultural Competency. Alejandra has been a part of different programs here at Fresno State including the Dream Success Center, the FYE Program ( First-Year Experience Program), and EOP ( Educational Opportunity Program). Alejandra has experienced the importance of having mentors throughout her college career, therefore, she has a great enthusiasm to help guide students in the correct paths just as her mentors did. Alejandra’s goal is to build connections with students and be part of the student’s support group. She is excited to see the great outcomes and cannot wait to finish her Bachelor’s Degree and pursue her Masters in Counseling.
Favorite Quote: Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. – Robert Brault
Jaime R., Peer Mentor
Senior, Criminology Major; minor in Spanish
Going to school is NOT a waste of your time, but an Investment for your Future :)
Favorite Quote: "Commitment is what transform a promise into a reality" Abraham Lincoln.