Foothill Connect Team

Foothill Connect

Meet Our Success Coach Team

Chris Chavez, Program Coordinator

Photo of Chris Chavez

Chris is a Bay Area native, growing up in Saratoga, who has worked at �� on the Foothill Connect Team since June 2017.

After graduating from Saratoga High School, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of Michigan. After college, Chris moved back to California to the Sacramento area.

Prior to Foothill, he worked at Sacramento State for six years in the athletic department, as both an academic coach for student-athletes and volunteer assistant for the Hornet Football team. During his time there, he had the fortune of working with a diverse group of students who inspired him to pursue a career in public education.

While in Sacramento, Chris earned a Master's Degree in Higher Education from Drexel University's Center for Graduate Studies, located down the street from the state capitol building. He completed his Master's thesis on the Academic Coaching program at Sac State.

As a Doctoral Student in Ed.D. Leadership program at San Jose State, his intended area of research is in Academic/Success Coaching as it is a relatively new field and there is not much dedicated research on it at this time. Success Coaching is about meeting students where they are at, and helping them develop the executive function and study skills needed to help them succeed in their academic career and beyond. Chris is passionate about this work as not all students come from the same backgrounds and may not have been able to develop these skills, Success Coaching serves an important purpose of making learning equitable by helping students not only develop important skills, but to build confidence and self-agency that will serve them well past their academic careers.

Now living in San Jose, Chris likes to spend his time working out, watching sports, and playing video games.

Kaitlyn Koo, Student Success Specialist

Photo of Kaitlyn Koo After transferring from Ohlone College, Kaitlyn earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at the University of California, Irvine. Zot Zot! Currently, you can find her balancing work with taking classes in San Jose State University's Master's in Higher Ed Leadership program.

As a Success Coach, she meets with students to go over self-regulation skills (like time management) and study strategies (e.g., note-making, reading). She also connects students with campus resources and leadership opportunities. Outside work, she sets aside time for traveling, hiking, volleyball, softball, and exploring new restaurants.

Alison Ross-Medina, Student Success Specialist

Photo of Alison Ross-Medina

Alison is a proud first generation graduate of San José State University, earning her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies, with a minor in Sociology, and her Master's Degree in Higher Education Leadership. She completed her thesis on systemic solutions for community college student housing insecurity. Being first-gen, Alison didn't have too much familiarity with college before starting, which is why it's so rewarding for her to be in this role.

As a Success Coach, Alison meets with students to talk through study strategies like time management, note-taking, and test anxiety, and helps connect them with campus resources and leadership opportunities. Her goal is to support students as they build confidence and find their place on campus. In her free time, she loves to solo travel, watch live music, and go thrifting.