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James C. Smith, Ed.D. (he/him)
Dr. James Smith provides leadership and oversight for Warren College’s student affairs units, including residence life, orientation, leadership development, student programming, and student conduct. He works closely with the student affairs team to ensure students are connected to the right resources and supported “Toward a Life in Balance”. A proud first-generation college graduate, Dr. Smith values the transformative power of higher education and enjoys getting to know the students he serves. Before joining UC San Diego, he held leadership roles at UC Riverside in Housing and Residential Life, and also worked at UC Santa Cruz and the University of the Pacific. Dr. Smith earned his Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from UCLA, a Master’s in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State, and a Bachelor’s in Telecommunications and Film from Eastern Michigan University. He is active in several professional organizations and remains committed to lifelong learning. Outside of work, he enjoys movies, concerts, and traveling—experiences that have enriched his perspective through visits to Mexico, Europe, Indonesia and Thailand.
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Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
Saniesa Thomas, M.Ed (she/her)
Saniesa is a 2017 Alumna of UC Santa Cruz (Go Slugs!) where she received her B.S. In Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. Afterwards she obtained her M.ED in Higher Education from National University. She has worked at Warren since 2017 as Program Assistant, Coordinator of Student Activities, Student Care & Accountability Specialist, and is now the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Warren College. Saniesa was born and raised in San Diego and is always happy to give a restaurant recommendation. In her free time Saniesa is an avid K-pop stan (NCT, EXO, New Jeans, Twice, Ateez and The Boyz) and she enjoys binge-watching random netflix recommendations, being a new puppy mom and collecting Smiski's.
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Senior New Student Programs Specialist
Alona Jackson, M.Ed (she/her)
Alona Jackson is the Senior New Student Programs Specialist at Warren College. From her highly involved student life as a resident advisor and multi club chair, Alona truly loves being connected to student activities. After graduating from UC San Diego with a B.A. in Ethnic Studies, she carried on her passion for student affairs by obtaining her M.Ed. in Post-Secondary Administration and Student Affairs from USC. As the Senior New Student Programs Specialist, she hopes to assist new students with having a smooth, engaging, and informative transition to Warren College. Mixing in a little fun and joy along the way. From the Bay Area, Alona is a proud first-generation college student who enjoys bad movies, crime podcasts, and spending time with friends and family.
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Administrative Coordinator to the Dean of Student Affairs
Llajayra Linares (She/Her)
Llajayra is the Administrative Coordinator to the Dean of Student Affairs for Warren and Muir College. She supports the Dean in coordinating projects, managing communications, and making sure students, staff, and families get connected to the right resources. Think of her as the friendly point of contact who helps make sure the Dean’s office is organized, accessible, and ready to support your UC San Diego experience. As a UCSD alum, Llajayra gained experience supporting students through her role as a House Advisor at Muir College and as a Basic Needs Assistant at the Basic Needs Hub. In her free time, she loves to travel, hike, swim, and is always looking for something new to try.
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Coordinator of Student Activities
David Nuñez, B.S. (he/him/el)
David Nunez is the Coordinator of Student Activities for Warren College. He organizes and oversees events and programs that enhance Warren College student life. He supports student organizations, plans activities, and promotes leadership and community building. Their role involves working with students and staff to create engaging experiences and foster a vibrant campus community. He is a first-generation alum from UC San Diego ('22). During their undergraduate studies, they worked for the Raza Resource Centro, Student Success Programs, and John Muir College's Residential Life respectively. During his free time, David enjoys spending time outdoors in nature, traveling, going to concerts, staying active, and focusing on holistic wellness!
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Student Care & Accountability Specialist
Lorena Magdaleno Velazquez (she/her/ella)
Lorena is committed to advancing equity, belonging, and student success. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Bilingual-Cross Cultural Liberal Studies from Chico State and is pursuing her Master’s in Postsecondary Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Student Affairs at San Diego State University.
Lorena currently serves as the Student Care and Accountability Specialist where she supports our at-risk student population such as first-generation, transfer, commuter, student with dependents and undocumented students. Drawing from her own experiences as a Latina, queer, and undocumented scholar, she approaches her work through a lens of social justice, compassion, and culturally responsive practice.
Her professional interests include identity development, student engagement, and holistic approaches to retention and belonging in higher education. Passionate about mentorship and advocacy, Lorena strives to create transformative educational spaces that affirm students’ lived experiences and help them thrive personally, academically, and professionally. -
Student Affairs Case Manager
Kristen Salazar (she/her)
The Student Affairs Case Manager at Warren Colleges serves as a vital resource for students navigating personal, academic, or social challenges. They work to provide individualized support and ensure that students have access to the resources and assistance they need to succeed. The Case Manager collaborates with various campus departments to address student concerns holistically, helping students overcome obstacles and promoting their well-being and academic success.
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Program Assistant
Vacant
The Program Assistant is responsible with day-to-day operations of programs by handling schedules, organizing events, keeping records, and managing communications. By working closely with staff and participants, they ensure programs run smoothly and successfully.
Your Student Affairs Team
Student Affairs comprises the staff from the Dean of Student Affairs Office, Residential Life, Counseling and Psychological Services. The Student Affairs staff provides opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and apply knowledge outside of the classroom and serve as a community resource for all students. We provide activities and services that enhance your student experience and exemplify our motto: Toward a Life in Balance.
The Warren College Student Affairs staff are available 8AM-12PM and 1PM-4:30 PM Monday through Friday (with the exception of university holidays). Due to hybrid schedules, staff may be available in-person or remotely to assist you. You may contact the person you wish to connect with via their email or contact warrendean@ucsd.edu and someone will reach out to you.
Dean of Student Affairs Office
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
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CAPS Psychologist
Robert Marzio, Ph.D.
A psychologist at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) at Warren College provides mental health support to students by offering individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychological assessments. They help students manage and overcome personal, emotional, and academic challenges through evidence-based therapeutic techniques. Additionally, the psychologist works to promote mental wellness on campus by providing workshops, outreach programs, and training for students and staff, fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes mental health and well-being.
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Meg Olinger, MA
A psychologist at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) at Warren College provides mental health support to students by offering individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychological assessments. They help students manage and overcome personal, emotional, and academic challenges through evidence-based therapeutic techniques. Additionally, the psychologist works to promote mental wellness on campus by providing workshops, outreach programs, and training for students and staff, fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes mental health and well-being.
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Tong-An "Fred" Shueh, Ph.D.
A psychologist at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) at Warren College provides mental health support to students by offering individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychological assessments. They help students manage and overcome personal, emotional, and academic challenges through evidence-based therapeutic techniques. Additionally, the psychologist works to promote mental wellness on campus by providing workshops, outreach programs, and training for students and staff, fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes mental health and well-being.
Residential Life Office
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Associate Dean of Student Affairs / Director of Residence Life
Dana Pysz, Ed.D.
The Dean of Residential Life at Warren College oversees the residential experience for students, ensuring it aligns with the college's educational philosophy and community values. They provide strategic leadership in managing residential staff, developing programs, and creating a vibrant, inclusive living environment that supports academic success and personal growth. The Dean collaborates with students, faculty, and campus partners to address student needs, resolve conflicts, and enhance the overall residential experience. Additionally, they play a key role in crisis management, policy enforcement, and fostering a sense of community within the residence halls, making Warren College a supportive and engaging place to live and learn.
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Assistant Director of Residence Life
Cesar Figueroa, Ed.D.
The Assistant Director of Residential Life at Warren College plays a crucial role in creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging living environment for students. They oversee the daily operations of residence halls, including managing staff, addressing student concerns, and ensuring that all residential policies are enforced. The Assistant Director collaborates with campus partners to develop programs that promote community building, academic success, and personal development among residents. Additionally, they provide leadership in crisis management and work closely with students to foster a positive and supportive residential experience, aligning with the university's values and goals.
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Assistant Director of Residence Life
Kevin Ngo, M.A.
Kevin Ngo is one of the Assistant Directors of Residence Life for Warren College. He co-supervises the Resident Assistants and engages with students about their residential experience! Having worked at multiple higher education institutions before, Kevin loves the atmosphere of a college campus, and as a first-generation graduate from a little school in Vermont, working in Residence Life now is one way he tries to give back and pay it forward to current students. In his free time, Kevin is an avid knitter/crocheter, reader/writer, and video gamer!
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Housing Administrative Assistant
Frida Herrera Lozano
Frida is the Housing Administrative Assistant at Warren College Residential Life. She supports the housing office by managing applications, maintaining records, and handling student inquiries. They coordinate room assignments, assist with move-in and move-out, and ensure clear communication of housing policies, contributing to a smooth and efficient housing experience.
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Program Assistant (Fiscal &Facilities Coordinator)
Christian Johnson (CJ)
The Program Assistant & Fiscal and Facilities Coordinator for Residential Life at Warren College manages the operational and logistical aspects of the residential program. This role includes coordinating events, managing budgets, and overseeing facility maintenance to ensure a safe, welcoming environment. By supporting both financial and facility needs, the coordinator plays a key role in enhancing the student living experience at Warren College.
