Upward Bound Staff
Melissa (Padilla) Cervantes
Director
Mrs. Cervantes is a positive person who is passionate about serving students, parents, and the commmunity. She currently serves as the director for the program but also advises students who attend Hayward High School. Mrs. Cervantes has provided academic advising, career and college exploration, financial aid assistance, and personal advising for her students. She is motivated by the energy and strength in her students and she is proud to be and advocate for them.
She can be reached at melissa.cervantes@csueastbay.edu
Belen Chavez
Academic Counseling Associate
Ms. Chavez is a recent graduate from California State University, East Bay. She received a BA in Human Development (focused on child development) and a BA in Spanish. Ms. Chavez has worked with the Upward Bound Program for 4 years now, starting as a student assistant and has worked her way up. She has passion and dedication to the Upward Bound Program because she is an Alumni of the Yuba College Upward Bound Program. She serves as the advisor to San Lorenzo and Logan High schools. She is excited to assist students and parents.
She can be reached at belen.chavez@csueastbay.edu
Jose Lopez
Academic Counseling Associate
Mr. Lopez received a B.A. in Sociology and B.A. in Social Science at San Jose State University (with concentrations in social change and community change, respectively). He also received an M.A. in Philosophy from San Jose State University where he fell in love with Latin American Philosophy and thought. Born in Santa Cruz, CA and raised in Salinas, Watsonville, Castroville, Fresno, Las Vegas, Miami, Oregon, Mexpan (Nayarit, Mex) and Tijuana, to name a few, he takes great pride in calling San Jose, CA home (not just because it has his name on it). He is the youngest in the family and the first to graduate high school. Having been to 20 countries Mr. Lopez enjoys traveling and other activities that bring balance and joy to his life such as playing the guitar and participating in triathlons and marathons.
He can be reached at jose.lopez2@csueastbay.edu
