Director of Student Engagement and Support Services
- PhD, Leadership Studies, University of San Diego
- MA, Higher Education, University of Michigan
- BA, Psychology, UC Berkeley
As the Director of Student Engagement and Support Services, Rachelle oversees a variety of resources and programs to provide holistic support to SOLES graduate students. Originally from the Philippines, she grew up in Southeast San Diego. Rachelle earned her BA in Psychology with a minor in Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies from UC Berkeley, an MA in Higher Education from the University of Michigan, and a PhD in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego. She is a proud first-generation college graduate.
As an undergraduate student at Berkeley, Rachelle was heavily involved in the recruitment and retention of students of color on campus. This rewarding work sparked a passion for education grounded in the foundational values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a master's student, she interned at the National Center for Institutional Diversity as a program and research assistant. Prior to coming to USD, Rachelle worked at UCSD's Department of Communication as an Undergraduate Student Services Advisor. Completing her PhD in 2025, Rachelle's dissertation focused on women of color mid-level administrators and how they use their power to cultivate belonging as a form of resistance. In addition to her passion for working with students, she also enjoys cooking and baking, spending time with family, friends, and nature, and exploring new places near and far.