New Appointments for Student Affairs Veterans

Familiar Faces Step into New Roles

March 3, 2008

Three Student Affairs veterans have recently taken on new tasks for Cal State Fullerton.

Andrea (Andi) Sims was appointed assistant dean for student affairs in the College of the Arts effective Jan. 2; Sergio A. Guerra was named to a one-year term as acting assistant dean for the College of Engineering and Computer Science effective Feb. 25; and Aimee Nelson was appointed assistant dean for student affairs in the College of Education effective March 10.

Sims had previously served as coordinator for student life programs and services, coordinator of the Multicultural Leadership Center and assistant coordinator for new student programs — all at Cal State Fullerton. Prior to joining Cal State Fullerton, Sims was a student activities specialist in student services at Santa Ana College. She earned a Master of Science degree in counseling with a specialization in student development in higher education, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cal State Long Beach.

Guerra, who joined the university in 1995, had been serving as director of the Center for Academic Support in Engineering and Computer Sciences. Before joining the university, Guerra served as director of the MESA Schools and MESA Engineering programs at Cal State Bakersfield. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in education counseling from Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Nelson has served on campus since 2000 as coordinator of student advisement and recruitment for the nursing program. She has also worked with University Outreach on campus and was a part-time faculty member/counselor at Santa Ana College. Nelson is a Cal State Fullerton alumna, earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology in 1997 and 2001, respectively.

Assistant deans work in collaboration with the vice president for student affairs and the deans in each college. They deliver services that support student progress toward degree and professional objectives, as well as design and coordinate programs with faculty, students and members of the administration that enrich the academic environment and enhance student development. Duties include counseling students with personal and academic concerns, coordinating orientation and retention programs, advising student groups, administering scholarship programs and developing alumni and community support for the college they represent.