Counselor List

Jocelyn Vivaldo
UC Berkeley, Global Studies. Jocelyn earned a B.A. in Global Studies with a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. While at Berkeley, she obtained her TOEFL certification as a teaching assistant with Meiji Gakuin University during a study abroad program in Yokohama, Japan. Her research has focused on education-related issues, including policing in LAUSD schools, education’s role in addressing the racial wealth gap, and high-risk youth in Los Angeles. Prior to this role, she worked with K–12 students through a nonprofit program centered on youth development and college readiness. She is passionate about supporting Young Scholars as they work toward becoming their best selves.

Albert Li
Harvard College, Chemical, Physical Biology
Stanford University, Ph.D., Cancer Biology. Albert, a former Harvard interviewer and contributor to 50 Successful Harvard Application Essays, has mentored many students into top universities like Harvard and Johns Hopkins. Raised in the SF Bay Area, he is dedicated to helping students from diverse backgrounds achieve their college goals.

Juan Pedraza Arellano
Harvard College Bachelor, Sociology & Linguistics Juan, a former FUHSD Student Board Representative, has tutored and mentored students from middle school through college. At Harvard, he taught civics and provided English tutoring to immigrant communities in Boston, while guiding peers through the college application process.

Leticia Porter
University of Massachusetts Lowell, MBA & Ph.D.
USC, B.A., International Relations. Experience in program management, admissions and enrollment, student engagement and
support services, curriculum review and experiential learning, alumni relations and
community outreach.

Svetlana Djananova
USC, English, Ph.D. Program. Svetlana have over five years of experience teaching English and ESL at PCC, Glendale Community College, College of the Canyons, and USC. Additionally, they have spent more than ten years teaching and tutoring younger students through afterschool programs.

Connor Barry
University of Washington, B.A. - English Creative Writing. Connor holds a BA in English: Creative Writing from the University of Washington. With experience as a teacher�s assistant, LAUSD tutor, substitute teacher, and SAT/ACT instructor, he also works as a story analyst in Hollywood, editing screenplays and advising creatives.

Kalycia Hodge
Northwestern University, English & Creative Writing. Kalycia has extensive experience assisting elementary and middle school students and tutoring high school and college students in subjects like English and Statistics. She values her time at Northwestern and is passionate about helping students succeed.

Ru Hua
NYU, Economics, Business Studies Minor at NYU, USC, Social Science and Special Education. After nearly a decade in the business world, Ru transitioned to education to pursue her passion for making a meaningful impact. She earned her M.A. in Social Studies and Special Education from USC and began teaching at Abraham Lincoln High School, where she helped underrepresented students gain admission to top universities. Ru specializes in guiding students through personal essay narratives, building strong connections, and helping them discover their unique voices.

Jon Yuan
UCLA, Applied Linguistic. With over a decade of tutoring and college mentoring experience, Jon specializes in math and computer science instruction, guiding students from K-12. He also offers expert support in the college application process, from school selection to essay writing. His mentorship has helped students boost scores, grades, and confidence.

Bason Park
Columbia University, CompSci & Business. Bason has guided 165+ students from 21 countries through the college application process, with a focus on STEM admissions. His students have earned spots at top schools like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. Passionate about the future of education, Bason explores how AI can elevate learning and unlock student potential.

Jeffery Huang
UC Irvine, Aerospace Engineering. Jeffrey brings 15+ years of teaching and college counseling experience to the Council. He�s taught everything from AP Calc to robotics in both English and Chinese, and led STEM camps at UCLA. His enrichment programs inspire curiosity and have helped students gain admission to top schools like MIT and UC Berkeley.

Rachel Zhou
Harvard University, Psychology. Rachel grew up in a highly competitive public school, eager to achieve ambitious educational and career goals. After laying out and following a very specific blueprint, she was able to gain admission to Harvard, among several other top liberal arts colleges and universities. Since then, she has been passionate about making the college admissions process more transparent for schools and mentoring younger classmates. She is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and hopes to empower her students to stand out, find their passion, and achieve their dreams -- while maintaining the healthiest and safest balance that allows them to thrive.

Kelly He
UC Irvine, History & Education. Kelly holds a Master's in School Counseling and a PPS Credential, authorizing her to counsel K-12 students in California. She has experience supporting diverse student populations through roles as a PSAT tutor, ELD aide, ELOP instructor, and counseling intern at the middle school, high school, and college levels, including placements at Haskell Middle School, Whitney High School, and Long Beach City College.
