John Muir College Student Affairs Staff

Jason Thibodeaux

Dean of Student Affairs 

My name is Jason Thibodeaux, and I am your Dean of Student Affairs.  I grew up in the Bayou City of Houston, Texas, and I attended The University of Texas at Austin where I earned both a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems and a Master of Education in Counseling. I have worked in various student affairs roles at institutions of higher education over the past 10 years. Prior to coming to the University of California San Diego, I was the Senior Associate Dean of Students at Northern Arizona University, and I previously worked in the Office of the Dean of Students at The University of Texas at Austin.  

When I am not working to make Muir your home away from home, you can find me taking my dog, Ripley, on a journey to a new park, exploring a museum, or embarking on an adventure across the globe.  I have visited 19 countries so far, and I hope to add many more stamps to my passport. 

I believe that it is both an honor and a privilege to support students in their educational journey, and I look forward to meeting all of you during your time at Muir College.

Raymond Vera Cruz

Executive Assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs 

Raymond is a proud graduate of the class of 2016 at San Diego State University. A food fan, adventurer, and San Diego Native, you can ask him about great places to visit for amazing eats and beautiful views of the city. 

You can find Raymond at the front desk in the Office of Student Affairs. Stop by or give Raymond a call if you have any questions about Muir College or getting involved!  When not working, you'll find Raymond skateboarding around campus, speculating wildly about his respective fandoms, rewatching the Office or Parks and Rec (for the 29th and 22nd time) or reading a good book. Favorite books include the Harry Potter series, the Ender's Game series, the Audacity of Hope, and anything by Kurt Vonnegut.

E-mail: rveracruz@ucsd.edu | Phone: (858) 534-3587

At Muir College Since 2016

Mario Garibay, Ed.D.

Assistant Dean of Student Affairs 

Mario is proud to serve you as the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for Muir College. Prior to working at Muir, Mario worked in Warren College Student Affairs, the Office of Student Conduct at UC Irvine, and additional roles in Residential Life & Housing. He earned a BA in Sociology & Ethnic Studies from the University of San Diego, and recently earned a EdD from the UC San Diego/Cal State San Marcos joint doctoral program.

In his free time, Mario enjoys spending time with his little two-year old and wife (she made me add this), reading Marvel comics, drinking coffee with friends and colleagues, frequent visits to Target, trips to Disneyland, or taking full advantage of his AMC A-List movie pass.

While at Muir, Mario wants to ensure that you find your place in our community and is dedicated to ensuring your success at the college and at UC San Diego. Feel free to stop by his office or set up a coffee meeting with him at M.O.M. He'd love to get to know you too!

Fnann Keflezighi

Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Interim Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for Marshall College (2020-21 Academic Year)

My name is Fnann Keflezighi and I am deeply honored and excited to serve as one of your Assistant Dean of Student Affairs here at Muir College. My parents and siblings came to the U.S. as refugees to San Diego, CA, where I was born, raised and did all my formal education. Following my eldest brother’s path, I attend UC San Diego as a first-generation college student. After being pre-med for a bit, I complete my degree in Ethnic Studies. During my undergrad, I  was involved on campus with student organizations (BSU, SAAC, and SPACES), as a HA for A-house and other access and retention efforts. During my undergraduate experiences, I found that I was deeply passionate about equity, access, and inclusion and realized that working on justice issues in Education was my life work. In wanting to learn more about the educational equity issues, I earned an M.A. in Post-Secondary Educational Leadership and Student Affairs from San Diego State University.

Some of my previous roles include serving as the assistant director of residential at Marshall college, director of the African American resource center at Cal State Fullerton and before that worked both professional and professionally in TRIO educational equity pre-college programs. 

I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. San Diego Alumnae Chapter. With my time off-campus, I am involved in youth mentorship, spend a lot of time with my family, nieces & nephews, engage in Arts & Craft projects. I love to embrace my emerging inner-yogi, exploring coffee shops, attend spoken word poetry shows, reading books and stay connected to college friends who are across the world living our life passions.

I look forward to meeting and getting to know YOU. 

Pat Danylyshyn-Adams, Ed.D.

Director of Residence Life & Associate Dean of Student Affairs 

- Pronouns: She | Her | Hers

- Alma Maters: Gettysburg College | University of Southern California | Walden University

While working under a variety of titles, Pat Danylyshyn-Adams is currently the Associate Dean of Student Affairs/Director of Residence Life at John Muir College. Since her arrival to Muir over 40 years ago in 1977, she continues to live in Tioga Hall. Pat completed her education at Gettysburg College in PA, the University of Southern California (USC) in LA, and recently completed her doctorate in education at Walden University. She has also worked in residential life at USC and at Western Illinois University. Raising her two daughters on campus was quite an adventure! Daughter Kelly is an ob-gyn and practices in Appleton, WI, and Lauren is an esthologist in San Diego. While students enjoyed visiting her daughters while they grew up in Tioga Hall, they are long gone, and students now come to her apartment for kitty visits! Pat enjoys community service work, traveling, and going to the theatre!

E-mail: muirreslife@ucsd.edu  | Phone: (858) 534-4200

At Muir College Since 1977

Sonia Rosado, Ed.D.

Acting Director of Residence Life

- Pronouns: She | Her | Hers

- Hometown: Los Angeles, California

- Alma Maters: UC Santa Cruz | Indiana University-Bloomington | UC San Diego & CSU San Marcos

- Degrees: BA, Sociology | MS, Higher Education & Student Affairs | EdD, Educational Leadership

Dr. Sonia Rosado, Assistant Director of Residence Life at University of California- San Diego, is the coordinator and advisor of the LGBTQIA+ of the Living Learning Community at John Muir College. Rosado trains her community on equity, diversity, and inclusion. She take the time to promote the use of inclusive language and understanding of LGBT, racial/ethnic and multicultural identities. She is part of the First Gen experience and has collaborated on #NotAtMuir inclusive language campaign to assist the community in fostering a sense of belonging. Rosado has taught a course on the role of cultural diversity in schools that concentrates on cultural and linguistic diversity, critical variables in achieving educational equity for all students. Originally from the Los Angeles area, Rosado graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Sociology. She attended Indiana University-Bloomington, where she graduated with an M.S. in Higher Education and Student Affairs and received her Doctorate (Joint Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from the University of California-San Diego and California State University-San Marcos. Recent publication includes (2011 dissertation) titled Browning the Rainbow: The Academic Persistence and Multiple Identities of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Latino/a Students and (2015 article) titled Learning applied critical leadership from cultural center staff and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Latino/a students in Applied critical leadership in higher education: Praxis for addressing institutional inequities resulting in educational change. Her hobbies include bullet journaling, reading non-fiction books, playing Settlers of Catan, visiting various coffee shops, and traveling to tropical places.

E-mail: srosado@ucsd.edu  | Phone: (858) 534-4200

At Muir College Since 2006

LeRoy Ford

Assistant Director of Residence Life

- Pronouns: He | Him | His

- Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri

- Alma Maters: University of Nebraska - Lincoln | Colorado State University

- Degrees: BA, Communication Studies | MS, Student Affairs & Higher Education

Hello! My name is LeRoy Ford and I currently the Assistant Director of Residence Life for Muir College and joined UC San Diego in November of 2017. I earned my Masters Degree in Higher Education Administration from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. I received my Bachelors Degree in Communication Studies and Ethnic Studies from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. I moved to San Diego in July of 2016 and I've loved every moment of it since moving here . I enjoy spending time with my Boston Terrier, Leo, and exploring all of the culture that San Diego and Southern California has to offer. I am passionate about student success and helping to make Muir feel like home for all students no matter where they come from. I look forward to meeting you, and if you see me around Muir with my dog Leo don't hesitate to stop us and say hello!

E-mail: ljford@ucsd.edu | Phone: (858) 534-4200

At Muir College Since 2017

Justin Glover

Director of the Muir College Center

- Pronouns: He | Him | His

- Alma Mater: Arizona State University

- Degrees: BS, Marketing

E-mail: jdglover@ucsd.edu | Phone: (858) 534-3587

At Muir College Since 2013

Claudia Pena

Coordinator of Student Activities

Hello! My name is Claudia Peña and I currently the Coordinator of Student Activities for Muir College and officially joined UC San Diego as a professional in September of 2017. I earned my Master’s Degree in Higher Education Student Affairs from San Diego State University. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Global Health – Pre Med from the one and only UCSD. I am originally from the Coachella Valley. I love spending time with my family , I have two young boys ages 3 and 1. I have a passion for student success and trying to create an equitable experience for all students.

E-mail: c6pena@ucsd.edu | Phone: (858) 534-4965

At Muir College Since 2020

Nicolette McManus

Residential Life Housing Assistant

Nicolette is a huge and longtime fan of Muir College, as evidenced not only by her alumni status, but also her work history as an OL, HA and program assistant for the Muir Writing Program. So, yes, she loves all things Muir and is happy to return to her beloved college. She graduated from UC San Diego with a BA in Visual Arts/Media/Film & Video and is obsessed with talking about, reading about, and watching movies. Some of her favorite things include her Boston Terrier, Popsicle, hanging out with her friends and their dogs, making art, baking and eating carbs, and traveling.

E-mail: n1mcmanus@ucsd.edu  | Phone: (858) 534-4200

At Muir College Since 2019

Sarah Cook

Residential Life Program Assistant

- Pronouns: She | Her | Hers

Sarah Cook attended the University of Illinois at Chicago and majored in Sociology. She is passionate about the success of Muir students and is dedicated to making them feel at home here on campus. She moved to San Diego in February of 2016 and has been awed by the city from day one. She enjoys performing, meditating, reading books, drinking caffeinated beverages, traveling, and experiencing all things creative!

E-mail: secook@ucsd.edu | Phone: (858) 534-4200

At Muir College Since 2020

Alison Herr

Senior Student Success Coach

At Muir College Since 2017

Tori Bussey-Neal

Student Success Coach

At Muir College Since 2019

Gregory Koch, Psy.D.

CAPS Psychologist

Welcome. I believe in the potential of people and in their capacity for deeper connection and transformation. Through deeper connections, we can see that relationships give life meaning. I also believe that when we learn and practice compassion for ourselves and others we can access calm, peace, and happiness. From this perspective, success is not about perfectionism, but about achievement in the framework of love for self and others. My goal is to create a safe environment where students can look honestly at themselves and others while establishing directions for health and growth. I hope I can be of help.

Website: caps.ucsd.edu | Phone: (858) 534-3755

Jacqueline Tejada

Student Affairs Case Manager

Learn more about Student Affairs Case Management!

Harper Estus
Student Affairs Intern - Leadership Programs

David Hernandez
Student Affairs Intern - First-Gen, Transfer, and URM Initiatives

Vanessa Morales-Soto
Student Affairs Intern - Student Organizations

Kiara Perez
Student Affairs Intern - Student Activities

Aylin Zertuche
Student Affairs Intern - Front Desk Manager

 Jade Coniglio
Graphics Intern