Student Services

Team Leader Biographies

Student Services Org CharT

Anthony Cervantes

Dean, Enrollment Services, Admissions & Records

Anthony Cervantes was born and raised in the Central Valley. As a first-generation college student, he learned how important it is to create a welcoming, supportive, and seamless experience for students at the start of their college journeys. Anthony is an alumnus and graduate of Stanislaus State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice and then a Master of Arts degree in counseling from San Jose State University. Since 2010, he has worked in higher education, overseeing recruitment, advising, retention, and enrollment management. Anthony loves working directly with students and learning from their experiences so that he can continue to improve administrative and support processes as our world changes around us. He aspires to earn his doctorate and show students that investing in themselves will only improve their futures.

Dr. Roosevelt Charles

Dean, Counseling

Dr. Roosevelt Charles earned his bachelor’s and Master of Public Administration degrees from two public universities in Louisiana, and as a first-generation college student who grew up in a working-class community with multigenerational families, creating a sense of belonging in learning environments for minoritized students, while ensuring organizational excellence in student choice, are at the core of his work as an administrator. He holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Hartford, and Dr. Charles previously worked as Director of Student Support and TRIO Programs in the Student Success and Engagement Division at Prince George’s Community College. As Foothill College’s Dean of Counseling, he brings more than 15 years of professional experience—in Student Success and Services—at several higher education institutions to the campus. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Alexis Donato

Department Chair, Psychological Services

Alexis Donato grew up in Southern California and received her associate degree in American sign language from Saddleback College as a first-generation college student. She then received a Bachelor of Arts degree in deaf studies, with a psychology minor, from CSU Northridge. Alexis continued her educational journey, completing her Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. A Californian at heart, Alexis settled in the Bay Area, providing therapy to deaf foster care youth and working in community mental health as a licensed therapist. Since arriving at Foothill College in 2015, she has been committed to reducing the stigma of mental health on campus. Alexis thoroughly enjoys connecting with students from all backgrounds, working closely with and witnessing them achieve their personal wellness goals through counseling and workshops. When she’s not working, you can find her geeking out on current wellness trends or baking something delicious with her family.

April C. Henderson

Director, EOPS/CARE & FYHS

April C. Henderson is a San Francisco native who returned to college 15 years after high school. Her educational goals were affirmed by the mentoring she received from counselors and faculty at De Anza and Foothill College. Recognizing this supportive experience would have made all the difference when she initially attended college, April decided she wanted to make that difference for others. April received her degrees while employed full-time at Foothill, married, and raising a family. Influenced by the historical legacy of Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, the emphasis of her master’s degree examined systemic barriers fostering disadvantages in education based on ethnicity, class, gender, and disability. April believes her non-traditional educational journey connects her most deeply with the mission of EOPS. A lover of music and dance, you can often hear diverse genres of music coming from her office, and with a soulful beat playing, you might catch her dancing at college events.

Patty Mendoza

Interim Director, Financial Aid

Born and raised in Nicaragua, Patty migrated to California at 11 years old. She is the first in her family to attend and graduate college. Patricia has worked with underserved students, education, and resource development communities for over fifteen years. Patty has her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Notre Dame de Namur University. Currently, she is in the process of completing her Master’s in Social Work. 

Previous to Foothill, Patty served as the Interim Financial Aid Director at Berkeley City College (BCC).  While at BCC, Patty served on the President’s Leadership Team. Patty worked to leverage the work of Financial Aid at the institutional level while continuing to center on students and Latinx student success. Using high-impact practices and culturally relevant interventions, she designed, developed, and implemented financial aid programs to support all college students, including the first-generation, undocumented, and Latinx populations. Previous to BCC, Patty worked as a Financial Aid Technician at Skyline College. Patty is committed to serving the community she comes from and is excited to start making a positive impact at Foothill College. 

Catalina Rodriguez

Interim Dean of Students, Student Affairs and Activities

Interim Dean of Students Catalina Rodriguez was born and raised in San Jose CA. As a first-generation nontraditional college student, she learned how important it was to utilize student services for her success and the success of all students. She has made it her mission to support students through the knowledge of college resources. As the Dean of Students, Catalina focuses on maximizing student learning by developing positive student culture and structured, supportive environments. Catalina received her master's degree in business administration and holds a bachelor's degree in psychology. She earned her degree while working full-time and raising a family, and after 15 years of working in financial education, she decided she wanted to make a difference in students in higher education. When she is not working, she travels with her family, is out hiking, loves to cook, and dance, and participates in community organizations such as Fresh Lifelines for Youth as a mentor and the Santa Clara County K-12 Racial Equity Committee.

Dr. Laurie Scolari

Vice President, Student Services

Dr. Laurie Scolari grew up among the lettuce fields of the Salinas Valley. Her mother immigrated to California from Mexico and cleaned houses for a living. To teach her a lesson on the importance of pursuing her education, she often helped her mom clean local bars at 4 a.m. before school. The lesson worked: Dr. Scolari now prides herself on being the first in her family to obtain bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. She began her career as a counselor at UC Berkeley. Dr. Scolari also formerly served as the Dean of Counseling and Student Support Services at City College of San Francisco and worked at UC Santa Cruz for 10 years in multiple leadership roles. Today, she is the Vice President of Student Services at Foothill College. Additionally, Dr. Scolari is a lecturer at San Francisco State University, where she teaches policy and law in education courses.