The Campus Life team assists students and staff with planning co-curricular campus activities and provides information related to the policies and procedures of Golden West College. We facilitate student government and clubs, oversee the daily operation of the Student Union, and provide a variety of services to students and staff.
Mary Avalos, M.P.A., serves as the Student Leadership Coordinator and Advisor to Student Government. Mary has dedicated over 20 years to the Coast Community College, mostly as a Student Affairs professional, with experience of also serving in the Instructional and Administrative Services wings. Mary earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Education from the California State University, Long Beach. She is also a community college alumna, earning an AA in Business Administration from Coastline Community College before transferring to CSULB. Mary is a first-generation college graduate. She is a single mother to Khrystine, who is currently double majoring in History and English Literature at Cal Poly Pomona.
In her free time, Mary enjoys being a mom to Khrystine and her two dogs, Nahla and Odette, reading, bicycling, kayaking, white-water rafting, bodyboarding, yoga, and live music.
Therese Grande has worked in higher education for over fifteen years, and her career spans a variety of areas including residence life, student conduct, student leadership, curriculum, and educational policy. A Southern California native, Therese earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from New York University and her Master of Arts degree in Public Policy and Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach. She started with the Coast Community College District in March of 2013 at Orange Coast College before joining the GWC Campus Life team in June 2017.
Her main role at GWC is to oversee all Student Clubs and Organizations. If you have a quesiton about joining an existing club or would like to start a brand new club at GWC, she'd love to connect with you!
Outside of work, you can find Therese training for her next marathon (Chicago in October 2022!), practicing yoga, rooting for the Dodgers, or adventuring with her husband, Chris, one-year old son, Elwood, and their rescue dog, Lupe, who is a lab-pit mix.
Dennis Nañez, Student Activities Assistant, has been an employee at Golden West College since 2005. Dennis enjoys playing sports such as baseball and basketball, and he enjoys watching his favorite sports team, the La Dodgers. Dennis and his wife are the proud parents of a baby girl, Leilani Samantha! He is working toward earning his degree in Business at Cal State Fullerton and is a proud alum of Golden West College. Dennis earned his A.A. in Business Administration in 2007. If you have questions regarding campus events, clubs, or student leadership, Dennis is glad to help.
Jose Fuentes-Perez serves as a Student Assistant for Campus Life.
Lesly Ramirez serves as a Student Assistant for Campus Life.
