Dr. Claudia Canizales Aguilar

Dr. Claudia Canizales Aguilar immigrated from Nicaragua and is a first-generation college graduate. With the guidance of the Early Academic Outreach Program, Dr. Aguilar enrolled at UC Berkeley and earned a BA in Social Welfare. With the financial assistance of the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, she earned master's and doctoral degrees from the University of San Francisco. As a college professor, counselor, researcher, and college access practitioner and trainer, she has worked with students, families, teachers, counselors, and administrators throughout the K-16 pipeline to ensure students meet their academic and personal goals. Dr. Aguilar’s expertise lies in creating school counseling and college access programs that are equitable, systematic, student and family-centered, and effective in ensuring that students have an actionable post-secondary education plan.