Staff
Professional Staff
She, her, hers
(805) 708-4739
rosasalamanca@ucsb.edu
Director of Undocumented Student Services
Appointments: https://bit.ly/uss-director-
.jpg?sfvrsn=f6c0734f_0 "Myrtha (Graduate Intern)")
She, They
myrtha@ucsb.edu
Graduate Intern at Undocumented Student Services
Appointments: https://bit.ly/uss-gradintern-
Rosa comes to us with extensive leadership experience serving Undocumented Students and their families. For the past three years, she was the creator and sole coordinator of the DREAM Center at Sonoma State University. Her leadership led to the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region VI Innovative Program Award in October 2020.
At Sonoma State, she served on over 15 committees in a leadership capacity, and reported directly to the university President about policy, laws, programming, fundraising and services. She served as the campus expert on immigration policies and laws, including but not limited to AB540, AB2000, SB68, AB60, DACA and Advance Parole. In her previous positions, Rosa served as a student success advisor at the DREAM Center at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and University & College Services Coordinator/Legal Assistant and Classroom Instructor/ Educational Exchange Trip Coordinator at the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) in Los Angeles.
Rosa received a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Central American Studies from CSUN. She is a current M.P.A. student at Sonoma State University. Rosa is an experienced research professional, grant writer, and nationally-recognized public speaker.
You can make an appointment with Rosa to talk about:
- Ways to navigate college as an undocumented student
- Feedback on scholarship essays
- Graduate school as an undocumented student
- Life, family, roommates, stress, etc.
- Opportunities available to undocumented students with/without DACA
- Referrals to financial aid resources internships, leadership opportunities legal resources
Myrtha Ortiz Villar (she/they) is a queer, first-generation Latina and UC Berkeley alumna. She received her B.A. in geography with an emphasis on urban communities and education. Coming from a mixed-status and low-income family, Myrtha spent most of her undergraduate career as a youth organizer for immigrant rights policies in the state of CA. Before working at UCSB, Myrtha served as a College Adviser with UC Berkeley’s Center for Educational Partnerships and as a Program Manager of Student Support at the Cal Alumni Association. In both roles, she has supported immigrant students and families in making informed college and career decisions.
Myrtha believes that attaining higher education can become a factor for families’ access to social mobility. In addition to being a student, Myrtha is also a career coach, supporting young professionals on navigating everything and anything between first jobs, debt and money, and study strategies for school. Myrtha is currently a graduate student in the Leadership, Organization, and Entrepreneurship program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
You can make an appointment with Myrtha to talk about:
- Graduate school exploration, general questions, and preparation
- Career exploration and preparation
- Job search, entrepreneurial ventures, and managing finances after UCSB
- Research in education and college access; statistical platforms (R and Stata)
- Navigating life as a first-generation student and professional
- Personal advice on the challenges of being part of a mixed-status family
She, her
(530) 574-6329
amber.ucimm@law.ucdavis.edu
UCSB Staff Attorney
UC Immigrant Legal Services Center
Appointments: https://tinyurl.com/
Amber Spring is an Afro-Latinx, Los Angeles native. Prior to joining the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center, Amber worked as a Staff Attorney representing unaccompanied children at Kids in Need of Defense ("KIND"). Amber previously represented families, children, and adults, in detained and non-detained removal proceedings at the Central American Resource Center ("CARECEN"). Amber also represented families, children, and adults in removal proceedings and affirmative applications at the Immigration Center for Women and Children ("ICWC"). She received her J.D. degree from Loyola Law School, where she received honors in the Immigrant Advocacy concentration and participated in the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic ("LIJC"). Amber is a proud UCSB alumna with a B.A. in English and Chicana/o Studies. Amber is from a working-class, immigrant family, who she credits with her work ethic, sense of humor, and fashion expertise. In her free time, Amber enjoys event planning, paddle boarding, cooking, traveling, and hanging out with her mini dachshund.
Additional Support
jdleo@ucsb.edu
Counselor
Educational Opportunity Program
Appointments: https://bit.ly/uss-eop-jennifer
Jennifer is a first- generation Gaucho who is passionate about working with undocumented and mixed status students. Prior to her roll at EOP as a counselor, she worked in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for 5+ years as a financial advisor and worked closely with our undocumented students and the financial crisis response team.
She graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and a Minor in Spanish. She looks forward to meeting with students and providing support during their time at UCSB. In her free time she prefers to explore new places, new restaurants to try new foods with my family
You can make an appointment with Jennifer to talk about:
- Financial aid
- CA Dream Act
- Medical expenses
- Life, family, roommates, stress, etc.
- Guidance on academic resources
- Academic planning
She, her, hers
mwfoster@ucsb.edu
Career Counselor
Career Services