WOW Staff
Joy Vickers
WOW Lead Admissions Counselor for Delta College
(209) 667-3959 | jvickers1@csustan.edu
Delta College WOW Interest Form
Joy Vickers has over 15 years of experience working in higher education. She has worked to assist transfer students through the education process in various capacities, including evaluations, admissions and outreach, academic advising, career counseling, and teaching a transfer success seminar course.
Joy completed her Master's of Arts in Education with a concentration in Counseling & Student Personnel, and Bachelor's of Arts in Liberal Studies with a minor in Deaf Education at San Jose State University. She has also completed a Certificate of Achievement in American Sign Language from Vista Community College (now called Berkeley City College).
Joy did not have the traditional transfer experience. She started at a four-year institution directly after high school and tried living in the dorms for one semester but discovered she was not quite ready to be away from home. So she enrolled in the Peralta Community College District in the Bay Area and "bounced" between three community colleges to complete her general education and certificate before returning to San Jose State University. Joy understands what it is like to be a non-traditional college student who has attended multiple institutions and how that can add time to completing a degree and confusion to learning new campus processes and policies. She hopes to serve as inspiration that it is not always "how you start, but that you finish."
Vanessa Alvarez
WOW Admissions Counselor for Modesto Junior College
(209) 667-3817 | valvarez5@csustan.edu
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Vanessa Alvarez is a dedicated Admissions Counselor at Stanislaus State, where she contributes her expertise and passion for higher education. Her love for higher education and access to education began when she became a University Ambassador for the department of Student Recruitment and Outreach Services. Her favorite part as a University Ambassador was being able to provide the tools to navigate college to all prospective students, but specifically for first-generation college students.
A first-generation college graduate herself, Vanessa earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus in 2017. Motivated by her own educational journey and passion for higher education, she continued her academic pursuit with a Master’s degree in Counseling (Student Affairs and College Counseling) from California State University, Fresno. With her passion for helping others and love for higher education, Vanessa is committed to supporting students and fostering an environment of growth and opportunity. Her personal and professional experiences continue to inspire and guide her in making a meaningful impact at Stanislaus State.
Silvia Soria
WOW Admissions Counselor for Merced Community College
(209) 664-6741 | ssoria@csustan.edu
Merced College WOW Interest Form
With over 18 years of experience in higher education, Silvia is dedicated to guiding and empowering students through their collegiate experience. As a Transfer Admission Counselor at Stan State, she plays a vital role in helping students through the admission process and successfully transition into their academic journeys.
Having faced her own challenges as a first-generation student, Silvia is passionate about guiding others through the complexities of higher education. Silvia received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Arts in Education, concentration in Counselor Education from Stan State. Her experience includes academic and career advising, teaching a first-year experience seminar course, and leading a successful peer mentor program that fostered community and support among students.
Silvia is passionate about helping students identify their degree and career paths while overcoming obstacles like imposter syndrome. She has mentored numerous students who are now navigating the professional world as confident first-generation graduates.
Updated: February 07, 2025