Meet the Counselors

Eckko Blake

Guided Pathway Division: Health and Public Services

Department/Program: EOPS/CARE

Title: Counselor

Email: eblake@compton.edu

As a proud product of this community, a former community college student, and graduate of Compton College's highest transfer institution, California State University Dominguez Hills, Eckko Blake believes that she has a special connection to the students at Compton College. Eckko can relate to many of the issues and problems faced by the diverse student population because she experienced many of those same problems. Her goal as a counselor and professor at Compton College is to ensure that every student that she has contact with receives a wealth of knowledge in hopes of making more informed decisions regarding their educational and career goals.  

As an EOPS/CARE counselor, she is charged with providing personal counseling, creating abbreviated and comprehensive educational plans, evaluating transcripts for transfer credit, conducting workshops for program probation students, students on academic and progress probation, and students that are new to EOPS/CARE, assisting students with graduation petitions, financial aid appeals, prerequisite clearances, CSU, UC, and private college transfer applications, and petitions to repeat courses. As an EOPS/CARE counselor, it is her duty to disseminate information efficiently and effectively. The information that she shares with students can very well be life changing for some, which is why counseling and teaching motivates her to learn as much as she can to best support her students.  

Theresa Barragan-Echeveria

Guided Pathway Division: Health and Public Services

Department/Program: Transfer and Career Center

Title: Counselor

Email: tbarragan@compton.edu

Hello and welcome to Compton College! 

Theresa Barragan-Echeveria attended CSU Los Angeles where she completed a bachelor's of science in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. Theresa thought she was going to join the corporate world but that did not align well with her personality, values and skills. She values education and realized her passion was working with students! To actualize her career goal she completed a master's degree in educational counseling at the University of La Verne.

She began her career in higher education in 2006 and since then has championed for student success. At Compton College she can assist students with educational planning, career exploration and connect students with resources to be successful. Throughout her counseling tenure she has worked with various student service programs and a diverse student population. She is an advocate and ally for all students! 

As a product of East Los Angeles and the daughter of an immigrant, she knows the importance of needing a mentor to help students navigate through college. Don't hesitate to ask for help and she looks forward to congratulating students upon completion of their educational goal.

Shay Brown

Guided Pathway Division: Fine Arts, Communications and Humanities

Department/Program: Athletics

Title: Counselor

Email: sbrown@compton.edu

Shay Brown, "Ms. Shay" completed a certificate in recording arts and sciences from UCLA Extension before continuing her education to obtain a bachelor in science in liberal studies with emphasis in sociology and psychology from Excelsior College based in Albany, NY. Shay earned her masters in science in educational counseling from National University in May, 2014. Her inspiration to become a counselor began at Golden West College where she was the Honors Program Secretary for nearly seven years. She is passionate about helping students reach their goals and discover their own successful selves. One of her favorite and often used phrases is, "Onward and Upward."

Shay has been the Athletics Counselor at Compton College since November 2015. She loves working with the athletes and the unique challenges and transfer situations that come up. She was presented with the "Special Recognition Award" at the Athletics banquet in 2017. Shay teaches Career Planning and College Success courses at Golden West College and has taught Human Development courses at Compton as well.

Shay loves running and gym workouts, her three cats, spending time with family and friends, the beach and watching sports and live music.

Dr. Essie French-Preston

Guided Pathway Division: Health and Public Services

Department/Program: Nursing

Title: Counselor

Email: epreston@compton.edu

Dr. Essie French-Preston's Motto is 'Every student is smart, talented and gifted." Dr. Preston obtained her bachelor's of art degree from Alabama State University, a master's of education from the University of South Alabama, and a doctorate of education from The University of Alabama. She has been an active Professor and Counselor at Compton College for many years. She has received many accolades and recognitions from the City of Compton, Compton College, and El Camino College for her participation with the Compton Unified School District and the City of Compton. She was selected in 2015 as Distinguished Faculty and serves on the Community College Statewide committee for the agreement with Historical Black Colleges and Universities. She is the nursing counselor and the coordinator for the Honors Program.

Liliana Huerta

Guided Pathway Division: All Five Guided Pathways

Department/Program: EOPS/CARE

Title: Counselor

Email: lhuerta@compton.edu

Liliana Huerta is proud to be a first-generation college student and a product of the community college system. As a former EOPS student, Liliana is aware of the personal and academic challenges Compton College students experience during their college trajectory. As an EOPS/CARE Counselor, she assists students who are low-income and educationally disadvantage to achieve their academic and professional goals. EOPS encourages enrollment, retention, graduation, and transfer of students who are challenged by social, economic, language and educational disadvantages. She is inspired and motivated every day to assist students in accomplishing their goals at Compton College.  

She received her associate degree in social and behavioral sciences from Citrus College, bachelor of science in human services with an emphasis in mental health from CSUF, and her master's degree in counseling with an option in student development in higher education from CSULB. Her educational background and professional experience have provided her with the opportunity to work with students in several capacities such as High School Outreach, Probation, First-Year Experience, General, and EOPS Counseling. As a former EOPS/EOP student and EOPS Adjunct Counselor, she is honored and excited to serve our students at Compton College as the EOPS/CARE Guided Pathways Counselor. Welcome to Compton College!

Noemi Monterroso

Guided Pathway Division: Fine Arts, Communications and Humanities

Department/Program: First Year Experience

Title: Counselor

Email: nmonterroso@compton.edu

It has been a great pleasure for Noemi Monterroso to be at Compton College since January 2014. Noemi has supported the First Year Experience program through various positions and will also continue to support students in the Fine Arts, Communication, and Humanities Guided Pathways Division. She earned her bachelor of science in psychology with an emphasis in clinical/behavioral applications and her master of science in counseling and guidance, pupil personnel services from California Lutheran University.

She is a proud Latina that is a first-generation college student who came from a low-income family in Lynwood, CA. She was confused and undecided as to her career goals throughout her education and realized she did not want many others to experience the same thing. Her personal experience in having to learn to navigate the higher education system, seeking out resources that she did not know were available to her, having to learn the importance of networking and forming relationships with professors and other staff on a college campus, and feeling uncomfortable with her lack of career and educational goals has had a huge influence in her passion to help all students become prepared to successfully navigate the higher education system. She is proud to be back her community and helping students transition into Compton College and create your success story.

Carlos Maruri

Guided Pathway Division: STEM

Department/Program:

Title: Counselor

Email: cmaruri@compton.edu

Carlos Eduardo Maruri is a first generation American and first-generation college student. Carlos is not sure about of the background of his last name, his pops is from Mexico City (his mom is from Ensenada- well Colonia Guerrero really) but it's his mom's last name. A google search will show there are a bunch of Maruris although he never met any other ones in person. He grew up in Chino and moved out to Long Beach after high school to attend CSULB which he failed miserably at his first year. He got a job on campus at the student union that first summer and it changed his trajectory. He finished with a bachelors degree in psychology (he originally entered as a history major) and went on to get a masters degree in counseling with an emphasis in student development in higher education at CSULB as well. He thought he wanted to take his boss' job at the Student Union but he had to do a mini internship his first year of graduate school and he ended up at Compton helping out the First Year Experience program. After that it was a wrap, he knew he had to be at Compton College and a year after completing his masters, he secured a full-time counseling position at Compton College. He is at Compton College to be the person he didn't have while going through college. He didn't go to school to tell you what classes to take, he went to school to be a counselor. He will listen to you, he will try to help you sort out the issues that may be stopping you from being successful in the classroom, he will be part of your support system. He will also help you with your classes . His powers as a counselor only work if you are in front of him though (in person or virtually). He looks forward to working with you!

Melain McIntosh

Guided Pathway Division: All Five Guided Pathways

Department/Program:

Title: Counselor & Articulation Officer

Email: mmcintosh@compton.edu

This is Melain McIntosh's first year at Compton College and she is excited to be at Compton College!

As an alumnus of Los Angeles City College (LACC), Melain experienced firsthand the positive impact of a community college education both personally and professionally. After completing lower division general education requirements at LACC, she transferred to the University of Southern California (USC) where she graduated with a bachelor of science in public policy, management and planning. She later attended California State University, Long Beach and earned a master of science in counseling: student development in higher education.

Prior to Compton College, she worked at Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) in Student Services and Academic Affairs; her experiences at LATTC include counseling, curriculum and articulation.  She loves to read and likes to cook and bake (when she is in the mood). She also talks to herself (She does not answer herself...at least not all the time)!

Desiree Corona Ramirez

Guided Pathway Division: STEM

Department/Program:

Title: Counselor

Email: dcoronaramirez@compton.edu

Desiree Ramirez's journey as a college student started seven years ago at Pasadena City College where she was allowed to break the status quo and fulfill her dreams of becoming a college graduate. Desiree grew up in South Central LA and lacked the resources as a first-generation LatinX student. Her experience at the community college will always be a time in her life that she will always recognize she was bombarded by blessings in disguise. The community college guided her to be the first in her family to receive a college degree and provided the motivation she needed to obtain her bachelors in sociology from California State University Long Beach and masters in college counseling and student development from Azusa Pacific University. 

Since obtaining her degrees, she has been fortunate enough to return to the community college to contribute to student success. Over the last few years, she has served as an adjunct faculty member at Pasadena City College and Chaffey College where she fulfilled Counseling and Instructional roles for General Counseling, STEM, Dual Enrollment, Welcome Center, and First-Year Experience. Through her combined experiences, she helps establish rapport and create platforms to guide members of multiple communities. As she continues her journey at Compton College, she will be committed to serving students by promoting access, cultivating rich mentoring relationships, and creating robust learning environments to support students in reaching their professional and educational goals.

Holly Schumacher

Guided Pathway Division: All Five Guided Pathways

Department/Program: Financial Aid

Title: Counselor

Email: hschumacher@compton.edu

Welcome to Compton College! Holly Schumahcer is the one and only Financial Aid Counselor on campus and has been proudly serving students at Compton since 2010. Housed in the Financial Aid department, Holly specializes in assisting students in educational, career, and life planning. Additionally, she educates students on how they may become eligible, stay eligible, and then strategically maximize their financial aid options through the community college system and at four-year institutions. Together, she works with students to create an individualized plan for success at Compton College, as well preparation for their transfer college of choice. Students may make an appointment to see her by stopping by the Financial Aid Office located at E 12. When she is not assisting students on campus, she serves as the Faculty Union President at Compton College. She represents the faculty in the fight for fair and equitable wages, appropriate health compensation, better terms of working conditions, job security, and providing a unified faculty voice on campus. Her mission at Compton College is to deliver quality counseling services to all students, in addition to standing up for and fighting for the rights of her colleagues.

Cheryl Threadgill

Guided Pathway Division: Social Sciences

Department/Program:

Title: Counselor

Email: cthreadgill@compton.edu

Cheryl Threadgill received her bachelor's degree in special education from National Louis University and her master's degree in school counseling from Roosevelt University. Upon relocating to California, Cheryl received a second master's degree in counseling/psychology from National University. She has worked with many diverse populations and age groups but prefers working with community college students, helping them achieve their goals.

Alejandra Muñoz Pham

Guided Pathway Division: Business and Industrial Studies

Department/Program: Special Resource Center

Title: Counselor

Email: apham@compton.edu

Alejandra is a first-generation college student and community college product. She began her journey at Los Angeles Valley College and transferred to California State University, Los Angeles, where she received her bachelor's in rehabilitation services. After working a few years in special education and in the K-12 system, she decided to pursue her master's degree in college counseling and student development at Azusa Pacific University.

Alejandra has worked with students with disabilities for over six years. Her passion for helping and watching students succeed and reach their milestones motivates her to keep doing her job and be the best version of herself. Her goal has always been to serve students in the community college system because of the opportunity it provided for her.

Alejandra looks forward to serving students at Compton College and providing holistic support so that all students feel empowered to find joy and success in both academic and personal. She is proud to say that the community college has allowed her to have grown as a student and professional, and she looks forward to helping all of her students do the same!

Jovany Gaucin

Guided Pathway Division: Fine Arts, Communications and Humanities

Department/Program: Special Resource Center (SRC)

Title: Counselor

Email: jgaucin@compton.edu

Jovany Gaucin a proud Angelino, born and raised in the East Los Angles/Boyle Heights area and a basketball aficionado both as a former player and now as a youth coach. Jovany is a big Los Angeles sports fan who truly cares and loves this city and its diverse communities. He is a first-generation college student; his parents are both from Zacatecas Mexico and it is because of their sacrifice and emphasis on the importance of education that he is now here. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights, he received a full scholarship to attend St. John's University in Minnesota where he received a bachelor's degree. He thought he wanted to be a high school History teacher so he went on to work on his master's degree in teaching at Whittier College. But during his second semester at Whittier College he was accepted to USC's educational counseling program and decided to leave Whittier and pursue a Masters in Educational counseling at his dream school instead. After working as a high school substitute teacher and long-term teacher, he realized his true passion was in higher education which is why he decided to pursue USC's mater's program.

Janette Morales

Guided Pathway Division: Business and Industrial Studies

Department/Program: Career and Technical Education

Title: Counselor

Email: jmorales13@compton.edu

Janette Morales is the Career and Technical Education Counselor and has been proudly serving students at Compton College since 2016. Born and raised in the heart of Los Angles and proud product of the California Community College System. Janette earned her bachelor's degree in Human Services from California State University, Fullerton and her master's degree in Counseling with an option in Student Development in Higher Education from California State University, Long Beach. Please feel free to reach out to Janette via email at JMorales13@compton.edu or by calling 310-900-1600, ext. 2775.