Laura Delgado
e-mail Laura Delgado
(562) 860-2451 ext. 2371

Laura Delgado is the LINC/NextUp Program Facilitator and provides guidance to current and former foster youth at Cerritos College. She hopes to be a resource and help students meet their goals by providing holistic, trauma-informed support. Laura earned a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Anthropology from UC Irvine and a Master’s in Educational Counseling from USC. In her free time, she enjoys going on bike rides, reading Latin-American novels and trying new recipes.

Niko Villa
e-mail Niko Villa
(562) 860-2451 ext. 3036

Niko Villa is the new Linc/NextUp Counselor at Cerritos College. A two-time graduate of San Diego State University, Niko holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Counseling and Social Change and a Master’s in Postsecondary Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Student Affairs. Niko’s career in education began as an EOP Outreach Specialist and Counselor at SDSU, and he later served as an EOP Counselor at CSU Long Beach. Drawing from his experiences growing up in Southeast San Diego, Niko believes deeply in the transformative power of education. He is passionate about empowering underrepresented students, emphasizing the importance of self-care, building community, and mentorship. Niko is dedicated to helping students achieve their goals and providing the support they need to thrive in their college journey.

Kathy Lee
e-mail Kathy Lee
(562) 860-2451 ext. 2403

Kathy is an adjunct counselor with the LINC/NextUp program, as well as being an adjunct counselor for the Guardian Scholars/NextUp program at Santa Monica College. She earned my associate degree for Transfer in Psychology from Citrus College, completed her bachelor's degree from UCLA, then completed her master's degree in educational counseling at USC. As a first-generation college student, she is passionate about giving back to the community and providing empathetic support to her students. In her leisure time, she enjoys swimming, hiking, and traveling.

Lisa Blod
e-mail Lisa Blod 
(562) 860-2451 ext. 2403

Lisa started her educational journey at Fullerton Community College as a re-entry student, transferred to Cal State Fullerton earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and received a Master of Science Degree in Counseling from CSULB.  Lisa has been an Academic Counselor for over 14 years including counseling at Cerritos College for over 11 years in the CalWORKs program. Lisa has also provided academic counseling to students in the Cerritos College Adult Education apprenticeship programs, as well as working in the past at Cypress College (EOPS), Long Beach City College (Completion Counseling), Rio Hondo College (CTE-Career Pathways), Fullerton College (High School Outreach/Instruction) and LA Harbor College (YouthSource Center/General Counseling/Instruction).  Lisa is excited to now have an opportunity to work with Cerritos College in the LINC/NextUp program. 

Marisol Aguilar
e-mail Marisol Aguilar
(562) 860-2451 ext. 2403

Marisol is a LINC/NextUp Counselor at Cerritos College and provides students with academic, career and personal counseling.  Her goals as a counselor are to meet the student where they are at, make them feel comfortable, and have a conversation about their goals and what they need to do to achieve them.  She earned a Bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach in Journalism and a master's degree from California State University, Northridge in Counseling.  She enjoys working with foster youth and other underserved student populations.  She enjoys hiking, running, snorkeling, traveling and eating at new restaurants.

Shawna Molar, Joshua Salazar, Minerva Perez

Peer Ambassadors are LINC/NextUp students who provide support to the program and their peers. They serve as liaisons to LINC/NextUp students and can help with setting up appointments, keeping students informed, and navigating resources for foster youth. They also support the EOPS/CARE program. 

Jesus Castro
e-mail Jesus Castro

Our Financial Aid Liaisons provide specialized support for current and former foster youth and manage CA Chafee grant disbursements.

Dr. Patricia Robbins Smith
e-mail Dr. Patricia Smith (562) 860-2451 ext. 2525

Dr. Patricia Robbins Smith is the Director and oversees the EOPS, CARE, LINC/NextUP & CalWORKs programs. She has been a part of the Cerritos College family for 20 years. She has worked as the Director of Foster & Kinship Care Education, and Director of Community Education. Patricia has a Bachelor's degree from UCLA in Psychology, a Master's degree from CSUF in Counseling and a Doctoral degree in Educational Administration from UCI/UCLA (joint program).

Dr. Lui Amador
Dean of Student Equity and Success

Dr. Lui Amador serves as the Dean of Student Equity and Success at Cerritos College. He is proud to work with the EOPS, CARE, LINC/NextUP & CalWORKs team and to serve our students. Dr. Amador received his Bachelor's in Politics from UC Santa Cruz, a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies from Claremont Graduate University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University, Long Beach. Lui enjoys having adventures with his wife and children, and the head of the family, their cat Mufasa.