My Story
Queer, gender non-conforming, first-generation educator
I’m Katie (they/them), a queer, gender non-conforming, first-generation college graduate who grew up in a rural, working-class community. My journey has been shaped by navigating higher education as a first-gen student and by my deep belief that education and professional growth should be liberatory, accessible, and rooted in care. Today, I bring these lived experiences into my work as an educator, advisor, and coach, where I partner with others to co-create opportunities for success, belonging, and transformation. Beyond my professional roles, I’m an older sibling, a pug parent, a reader, and a partner, identities that keep me grounded in community and connection. This site is a space to share my work, my philosophy, and the resources I’ve developed to support students, professionals, and organizations alike.
Snapshots of My Educational Journey
Coaching, Curriculum & Development Philosophy
My work bridges curriculum design, career coaching, and professional development through equity-centered methods that honor lived experience and foster sustainable growth.
My coaching, curriculum, education, and professional development philosophies are grounded in liberatory and equity-centered approaches that honor the lived experiences of learners. Drawing from Paulo Freire’s dialogical models and traditions of popular education, I view students, clients, and colleagues as co-creators of knowledge rather than passive recipients. My work emphasizes authentic dialogue, critical reflection, and agency—whether in academic advising, curriculum design, or career coaching. I believe that language, stories, and narratives are powerful tools for conscientization, or raising critical awareness, and I intentionally design spaces where learners can deconstruct terms like “success,” “professionalism,” or “belonging” in relation to their own realities. By centering care, access, and community, I aim to foster environments where vulnerability and curiosity can lead to transformation, and where professional and personal growth are not only possible but sustainable.
Educational Background
2017 – 2019
San Francisco State University
Master of Arts in Education, Concentration: Adult Education
Graduated with a 3.96 GPA while focusing on equity, leadership, and instructional technologies. Designed a culminating thesis that developed a curriculum model for Resident Assistants to better serve transfer students. Highlights included SafeZone Ally certification pilot, participation on the Transfer Advisory Council, and contributions to the Academic Master Plan for student retention.
2009 – 2013
San Francisco State University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Completed undergraduate studies with strong involvement in Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology and roles supporting Counseling and Psychological Services. Gained foundational skills in research, advising, and student development that informed later work in higher education and curriculum design.
Professional Experience
December 2024 - Present
San José State University
Senior Academic Advisor
Humanities & the Arts Student Success Center
Advises a caseload of 2,500+ upper-division students across multiple majors, supporting retention and graduation through individualized case management, policy interpretation, and degree planning. Leads the academic notice campaign, coordinates faculty referrals for at-risk students, and develops workshops for transfer students. Manages early support outreach, creates resources for advising staff, and facilitates orientations and communication campaigns to streamline student success services.
October 2021 - August 2024
Oracle
Pathways Program Coordinator
Global Diversity Recruiting Team
Managed global job description requests and scaled inclusive recruiting programs across JAPAC and EMEA regions. Coordinated initiatives such as the Ada Developers Academy and Oracle Career Relaunch Program, supporting participants through workshops, office hours, and mentorship connections. Built program resources, facilitated training on inclusive job descriptions, and engaged with Employee Resource Groups to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies across the company.
August 2020 - September 2021
Summit Public Schools
Concrete Next Steps (CNS) Teacher
Expeditions Team
Designed and taught senior-year curriculum focused on internship and independent study pathways for 126 students. Built and maintained a partnership database, coordinated student placements, and monitored program compliance. Facilitated project-based learning, including oral defenses of post-graduation plans, and adapted instruction for full remote learning during the pandemic. Supported students in developing real-world skills through guest speakers, field experiences, and community partnerships.
August 2020 - September 2021
Summit Public Schools
College Readiness Teacher and K2 + Denali Internship Learning Coordinator
Expeditions Team
Built and taught College Readiness curriculum for 11th grade students across multiple campuses. Managed internship and independent study placements by matching 170+ students with real-world opportunities and monitoring student progress. Led stakeholder engagement across community partners, conducted internal audits, and ensured compliance with charter requirements.
June 2019 - September 2019
California Northstate University
Assistant Registrar
Supported academic operations by maintaining student records, processing enrollment, building degree audits, and ensuring FERPA compliance through staff and student training. Collaborated with campus partners to fulfill data requests, troubleshoot policy-related issues, and generate reports for internal and external stakeholders.
Played a key role in standardizing data practices and managing regulatory documentation.
June 2018 - April 2019
San Francisco State University
Residential Coordinator
Resident Education, Residential Life, University Park South (UPS)
Managed a residential community of over 250 students including the Rainbow Living Learning Community (LGBT+), supervising a team of 7 Resident Assistants and advising student government. Oversaw academic success initiatives, crisis response, and student conduct using restorative justice approaches. Designed community programming and academic engagement strategies to support retention and belonging.
July 2017 - July 2018
San Francisco State University
Area Coordinator
Resident Services, Residential Life
Led recruitment, hiring, and training for over 125 student staff, 2 part-time professional staff and five student leaders across multiple residential areas. Managed an annual payroll budget of $600,000. Coordinated emergency preparedness, supervised mail and key operations, and collaborated across departments to enhance residential student experience.
February 2017 - June 2017
San Francisco State University
Project Coordinator
Resident Education, Residential Life
Supported Residential Life initiatives by coordinating student success projects, compiling data, and managing logistics.
Worked closely with campus partners to support new academic programming for residents. Tracked academic performance metrics and developed student-focused programming aligned with institutional goals.
Giving Back with Intention
This work is sustained by community, and it is important that it also sustains community in return. 10% of all proceeds from Koho Curriculum will be divided equally among Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, The Trevor Project, and Color of Change. I’m grateful to support these organizations, extending the values of equity and belonging beyond my own work.
