Our Team

Evelyn Ramos

Director
eramos23@csustan.edu
Hablo Español / I speak Spanish

“I am thankful for the opportunity to serve students, alumni and employers of Stanislaus and surrounding counties. I love the Central Valley and know that the students here are what continue to make this a community of growth and prosperity. I appreciate the opportunity to help them expand their knowledge of opportunities throughout the nation.”

A central valley native, Evelyn began her career in student affairs with the SJSU Career Center. There she developed an interest and passion for working with students and helping increase their confidence in their academic and professional endeavors. She held a variety of roles throughout her time there and ultimately decided to pursue her Master's degree to be able to work with students 1-1 in their career development. She received her MA in Education and began to work more closely with first-generation and undeclared student populations. She had the opportunity to serve as the University Ombudsperson at SJSU for two years before returning to career services at Stanislaus.

Rebecca Stephens

Employer and Student Relations Specialist
rstephens2@csustan.edu

"I am passionate about designing student-driven programming that fosters meaningful engagement within our center while aligning directly with workforce needs. I am deeply committed to cultivating and sustaining strategic employer partnerships that lead to long-term collaborations, diverse internship opportunities, and a consistent pipeline of Stan State talent into the workforce. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is witnessing students secure meaningful employment through intentional employer engagement and the guidance, support, and strategic use of our team’s services."

Rebecca leads the coordination and execution of key student/employer engagement initiatives, including Career Fairs, employer information sessions, on-campus interviews, and other recruitment-focused events that connect Warriors directly with hiring partners. Through strategic outreach and relationship management, she works closely with employers to create meaningful opportunities for talent engagement while ensuring a seamless and impactful experience for students.

As the coordinator of the Warrior Wardrobe Career Closet, Rebecca plays a critical role in reducing barriers to employment by providing students with access to professional attire that builds confidence for interviews, networking events, presentations, and workplace settings. This initiative directly supports equitable access to career opportunities and student success.

Rebecca also spearheads the HireStanState Handshake platform, overseeing employer approvals, job and internship postings, and recruitment activity. She provides hands-on support and training to both students and employers to ensure the platform is leveraged effectively as a recruitment and engagement tool, maximizing employment outcomes and strengthening employer partnerships.

Alex Brown

Career Coach
Abrown56@csustan.edu

Alex Brown is a passionate advocate for personal development and lifelong learning. He holds two business degrees, one from Philander Smith, an HBCU in Little Rock, Arkansas, and an MBA from Notre Dame de Namur University. Currently pursuing a PhD in Education with a Curriculum and Instruction focus, Alex is committed to staying at the forefront of his field.

As a 15+ year member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (ΑΦΑ), Alex is dedicated to serving his community through outreach, college preparation, and creating personal and professional goals. He is also the chapter president and central valley area director at the moment.

In addition to his work as a career coach, Alex is a creative polymath who enjoys creating images using AI, blogging, and podcasting. His blog and podcast, Strive and Develop, are dedicated to discussing striving and personal development, drawing inspiration from his experiences as a doctoral student and an 8+ year business instructor at Fresno City College.

When he’s not working, Alex enjoys playing softball, volunteering, and having conversations about academic and professional development. He is excited to join the team and looks forward to engaging with students and community partners alike.

Cesar Ochoa

Career Coach
Cochoa1@csustan.edu

"Starting your career can be very daunting. From the exploring phase, to preparing materials, to applying, I enjoy collaborating with students each step of the way.”

Cesar Ochoa is a Career Coach for our Career & Professional Development Center. He is a student-centered educator with a holistic approach, who helps enhance the educational experience of his students. He brings with him a well-rounded career in education. His experience stretches from K-12, to community health, community college, the University of California, and now at Cal State.

Cesar attended Fresno State, receiving a B.A. in Human Systematic Geography. He later attained a Social Science Single-Subject Teaching Credential and a Master’s in Educational Counseling, both at Stanislaus State. He is a native of the Central Valley, having grown up in the unincorporated town of Winton, located in Merced County. He enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, reading, road trips, hiking, and visiting with family and friends.

Ana Teresita Zarate

Career Advisor
Pre-Nursing and Health Pathways
Azarate5@csustan.edu

"Hi everyone! I am a Career Advisor specializing in pre-nursing and allied health. I am proud to say that I am an alumni of Stanislaus State, where I received my bachelor's degree in Social Sciences. I am very passionate about counseling and student success. Whether it be career coaching or academic advising, I strive to assist students as they navigate health-related careers and majors. As a first-generation student, I know how crucial it is to have the necessary support and resources needed to thrive in higher education. As such, I'm more than happy to provide that guidance throughout your journey. Feel free to reach out any time for assistance!"

Cash Bortner

Instructional Faculty
Career Faculty Fellow
cbortner@csustan.edu

"I was born and raised on a family farm in southwest Nebraska, where I learned the value of hard work and perseverance from my parents. I was a first-generation college student myself and am beyond excited to pay forward the life-changing mentorship and support that my college professors and advisors gave me. I have been particularly passionate about helping students learn about and determine if graduate school is the right next step for them."

Cash received his PhD in Mathematics from North Carolina State University in May of 2022, and joined the Math Department at Stan State as an Assistant Professor the following August. He is the newest member of the Career and Professional Development Center, joining as their first Faculty Fellow in August of 2023. Since his first year in graduate school, Cash has been mentoring and advising students applying to research programs and graduate school for the past six years. He is passionate about helping students succeed in their post-undergraduate lives by working with them to take full advantage of the wonderful resources available to them while they are still in school!

You can view my website: cbortner.github.io