Meet the Commuter Life Team

Meet the Team

Eunice Flores

Assistant Director
[email protected]

Eunice Flores serves as the Assistant Director for the Center for Commuter Life at San Diego State University. She is from Chula Vista down south of SDSU. Her transformative college experience is what led her to pursue a career in Higher Education. Eunice is a proud two time alumna of SDSU receiving a bachelor's in Psychology and a master's degree in Educational Leadership.

Eunice has held various positions at SDSU for the past 9 years. She served as Lead Coordinator in the Office New Student Orientation welcoming thousands of new students and families and led a full day Spanish parent orientation program. She held a position as a Career Counselor at SDSU Career Services where she served students in the College of Arts of Letters and Professional Studies & Fine Arts with their career development. In her role now as Assistant Director for the Center for Commuter Life provides leadership and support initiatives and efforts that contribute to commuter success. Eunice has developed and maintained working relationships with many campus partners across campus to support Student Success Pathways, mentoring and workshops. As a former commuter student herself she understands the commuter experience and is dedicated to helping commuter students thrive during their time at SDSU.

Helen Ma

General Advisor and Retention Specialist
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Helen Ma serves as a General Advisor and Retention Specialist at San Diego State University. Helen is a San Diego native. She attended San Diego State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration as well as her Masters of Arts degree in Postsecondary Educational Leadership.

In her role, Helen serves first year, second year and transfer commuter students through various mentoring programs. She also programs and develops events for the Commuter Resource Center to promote commuter student engagement. Helen is very passionate about connecting students to all that SDSU has to offer. Outside of Commuter Life, Helen advises Sigma Alpha Zeta, a multicultural sorority on campus. When she isn’t working, she loves to workout, cook and shop at Costco.

Sarah Mercado

General Advisor & Retention Specialist
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Sarah Mercado is a General Advisor & Retention Specialist at San Diego State University and a two-time alumna of SDSU. While commuting to campus, she earned her bachelors in sociology and masters in educational leadership from SDSU. Sarah has worked in several roles on campus, including serving as an academic advisor for both graduate and undergraduate students in the Fowler College of Business. She is committed to helping students meet their academic goals through caring and inclusive advising. As a native San Diegan who grew up in Chula Vista, Sarah comes from a long line of Aztecs. Her grandfather attended SDSU in the 1930’s, her father in the 1960’s, and her sister in the 1990’s. When she is not at work, Sarah enjoys hanging out with family and friends, enjoying delicious food, and reading.

Heather LaPerle

General Advisor and Retention Specialist
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Heather LaPerle is a General Advisor and Retention Specialist for the Center for Commuter Life at SDSU. She is a proud double alumna having earned her Administration Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Masters of Arts degree in Postsecondary Educational Leadership.

Heather has worked in several areas at SDSU including Fowler Center for Student Success, Career Services, and the Compact Scholars Program. Heather is dedicated to helping students actualize their goals while they explore their passions. Outside of work, Heather loves attending SDSU basketball games, theatre, hiking, backpacking and fundraising for Make-A-Wish.

Vince Palou

General Advisor and Retention Specialist
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Vincent Palou is a General Advisor and Retention Specialist at SDSU and an SDSU alumni. He holds a bachelors in Integrated Marketing Communications and a Masters of Science in Strategic Communications and Public Relations. As a first-generation college student, he was inspired to explore a career in higher education and help others in need of navigating the college experience. Starting his career as a student worker, Vince has worked in higher education for over 15 years with experience in various roles in enrollment services, admissions, counseling and outreach, the Office of the Registrar, and has also served as part of a scholarship committee for transfer students. He aims to empower his students through a developmental advising approach to help them build self-sufficiency and autonomy. Outside of work, Vince works as a personal trainer at the YMCA and enjoys music, boxing, and reading in his free time.

Itzel Estrada

Commuter and Transfer Success Coach
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Itzel is currently serving as the commuter and transfer student success coach at the Center for Commuter Life. She earned her Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis on Social and Behavioral Science from Cosumnes River College in Sacramento. She then went on to earn dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in American Studies and Sociology from the University of California, Davis.

Itzel is passionate about leadership, well-being, popular culture, and all things media. Beyond work, she enjoys going to the movie theaters, tuning into self-empowerment podcasts, or out and about exploring the beauty of California.

Bri Voss

Assistant Coordinator for Commuter Life and New Student and Family Programs
[email protected]

Bri is the assistant coordinator for Commuter Life and New Student and Parent Programs at SDSU. Originally from Yuma, Arizona, Bri moved to California to pursue her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach. Bri hopes to receive her masters degree from SDSU in the near future for Post-Secondary Educational Leadership and Student Affairs.

While at Long Beach, Bri started as a student leader with Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration under New Student and Family Programs where she stayed for four years. Working as a student leader is how Bri realized her passion for student affairs and being able to help guide students throughout their academic journey. After graduating, Bri transitioned into a professional staff role as an office coordinator in the Teacher Preparation Advising Center at Long Beach where she continued engaging with students in a more advisory role. Outside of work, Bri loves reading, going to hockey games, hiking, and spending time with her cat.

Idabelle Gutierrez

Administrative Support and Budget Coordinator
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Idabelle Gutierrez is an administrative support and budget coordinator for Student Life and Leadership at SDSU. She is originally from the Bay Area where she earned her Associate of Arts for Transfer in Psychology at Skyline Community College. She then pursued her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at San Francisco State University. Recently in 2023, she earned her Master of Arts in Human Resource Management at National University.

Although Idabelle is not a SDSU Alumni (yet) or works directly with student needs, she is passionate and committed to SDSU's mission. As a first-generation Latina college student, she understands the importance of high-quality education. Outside of work, Idabelle is a servant leader who is heavily involved with various not-for-profit organizations and believes in the power of giving back to her community.