Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Meet our staff

Josh Laurie

Josh Laurie

Director of Student Success Programs
I am a teacher at heart and I love working with students as they transition from high school to college. I feel lucky to work with so many students who are thriving at this level. For the last fifteen years, I have worked within high schools, alternative schools, and community-based organizations to help make positive change for students who are underrepresented. My goal is to work alongside all students who enter the Future Connect Program to help them realize their full potential.

Suzanne Hesse

Suzanne Hesse

Future Connect Program Manager
After graduating from Portland State University with a Master’s Degree in English, I have been teaching writing and literature as well as advising and guiding students at several educational institutions for the past twelve years. I enjoy helping students learn how to refine their ideas into coherent, strong arguments and watching as they grow more confident in themselves. Becoming a College Success Coach at PCC allows me to devote more one-on-one attention and support to students to help guide them through their college career, and gives me a stronger voice to advocate for my students. Most importantly, I want to help my students and advisees see their potential and to guide them successfully through their education and career goals, breaking down barriers as we go. I’ve always been drawn to education as the daughter of two teachers, and I am honored to be a part of my students’ journeys and I am grateful for the chance to not only guide them, but also to learn from them.

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Hellina Gesese

Cascade Campus Success Coach
My past professional experiences have been in counseling, education, and educational psychology research. Most recently, I worked in private practice providing teletherapy for clients seeking support in navigating intersecting identities, relational issues, and life transitions as well as managing specific mental health concerns. Prior to that, I worked as an instructor at UNL teaching learning and motivation theories courses to secondary education majors. Simultaneously, I conducted research exploring the academic and career experiences of racially, culturally, and socio-economically diverse students. Prior to graduate school, I worked at the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), supporting youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds as they pursue their career endeavors. I am passionate about supporting and empowering young adults to succeed in their personal and professional goals, and I am excited to continue that work as part of the Future Connect program at PCC Cascade Campus. In my personal time, I enjoy watching movies, reading, attending live cultural events, and spending time with my family and friends.

Damon Stevens

Damon Stevens

Cascade Campus College Success Coach
I am excited to join the Future Connect family and have heard fantastic things about Future Connect students and the program. Since leaving the Navy many years ago, I have had a passion for college coaching and supporting students in pursuing their dreams. My most recent experience was as a Retention Counselor at California State University. My hobbies are bowling, watching movies (my latest was Equalizer 3), and going to Portland Trail Blazers games. College is the perfect space to navigate your self-discovery through academics and career exploration, and I will be there alongside you the whole way through.

Nereida Macias

Rock Creek Campus Success Coach
Like many students in the Future Connect program, I was a first-generation undergraduate student who was not surrounded by a college-going culture growing up. As a product of various student support programs in college, I have witnessed firsthand what mentorship and guidance mean for students and thus have dedicated my career to serving those who need support exploring their post-secondary options. I have been privileged to work with college-bound students since 2009 and am thrilled to be working alongside Future Connect students as they find their passions in academia and/or the workforce.

Vanessa Hernandez

Vanessa Hernandez

Rock Creek Campus Success Coach
I am honored to serve first-generation, young adult students attending Future Connect. I have faced some of the challenges my students face when they enroll in college. When I arrived in the US a couple of years ago, I didn’t know how to navigate the new system. I was lucky I met a couple of people who showed me the way. I now have the opportunity to show my students the way. I truly appreciate the uniqueness that every student brings to the table. I also love teaching College Survival and Success classes.

Margarita Hernandez

Mar Hernandez

Southeast Campus Success Coach
I am excited to work with students who are going further in their education. Drawing from personal experience, I discovered my career path when I started taking classes as an ESL student at PCC. Step by step, I learned how to navigate college. I experienced the transfer process to a four-year university. As a first-generation student, I understand the responsibility to support and empower future generations. I have witnessed resilience in individuals through life struggles when trying to accomplish career goals. Furthermore, I witness transformation during those processes. I love to hear students’ college and career dreams and help them find the path to achieve them. As a transfer program specialist, it is an honor to support students’ career and academic goals.

Flamur Velhapi

Flamur Vehapi

Southeast Campus Success Coach
Ever since I moved to this country, my dream has been to get a good education and use that knowledge and skills to help others through their journey of learning. Although the path was full of challenges, I personally feel privileged to have met and worked with people from various walks of life who have not only assisted me in overcoming some of the struggles as a first-generation college student, but have also inspired, coached and encouraged me to reach my goals and become the person I am today. After getting my BA in psychology and MA in conflict resolution, I worked as a student mentor at Portland State University, and later went on to teach psychology courses at Rogue Community College and sociology at Southern Oregon University. My traveling and teaching abroad experiences have also greatly influenced my interest in education, mentoring, and leadership. As someone with a counseling background, my passion is working with students, more specifically inspiring and helping them succeed in their endeavors by fostering a growth mindset. Now, as a College Success Coach, I am able to apply that knowledge with the hope of making a difference in someone’s life.

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Jordan Sumner

Southeast Campus College Success Coach
I’m very excited to have the opportunity to work with first-generation college students. Supporting the academic and professional goals of underrepresented students has been my aim since graduating from Portland State University. As a first-generation college student myself, I realize how important support systems are and am thrilled to provide that support for our Future Connect students.

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Annette d’Autremont

Sylvania Campus Success Coach
School has always been an important part of my life but has not always been an easy endeavor. The transition from high school to college was difficult for me but thankfully, I had many people to support me along the way who ultimately made my college experience a great one. After not being sure what career field to pursue after I graduated from college, I realized that I wanted more students to have the same support and experience I had in college, which has led me to work in higher education for the past 10 years! I am so excited to work with students during this stage of their educational journey in Future Connect and help them realize their potential and skills early on to be the best version of themselves!

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Gabby García

Transfer Coach
I have earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Human Sciences and a Master of Education in College Student Services Administration from Oregon State University. My own experience is similar to the students in Future Connect, I identified as a first-generation student and low-income when I was in college. Both parents immigrated to the US which has shaped my perspective and value of Higher Education. My Advising Philosophy: To assist students in pursuing their degree successfully through providing resources, counsel, reflection, critical thought, educational learning, and mentorship. While also being intentional about my contributions to diversity and equity. An as advisor, my goal is to empower students to reach their hopes and dreams, and to deliver guidance to all students who I encounter.

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Jing Xu

Outreach Coordinator
Welcome to Future Connect! I am so glad you are here! I love being a part of Future Connect because of our amazing team and the students we get to serve and work with. I was a first-generation, low-income student whose dream was to go to college but didn’t know how or if it was even possible. Thanks to a scholarship and support program at the University of Oregon, I was able to graduate with no student loans! My goal is to advocate for underrepresented students who need that extra support regardless of their identity or background. If you have any questions about Future Connect, PCC, or college in general, please ask. I’d love to chat with you to learn about your career goals and figure out how we can work together to get you there. There really is no silly question. It brings me so much joy to know that I can help make a difference in a student’s college journey and success.

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Lisa Lam

STEP Navigator
I am passionate about working with students and left another career to pursue this passion. As a college student, I experienced confusion about navigating systems that were unfamiliar to me. Fortunately, I was paired with an academic advisor who guided me and challenged me to grow. I know first-hand how helpful it is to have someone at your college who’s got your back. I hope to help first-generation students in the way that I received critical support during my college years. I am honored to play a role in my students’ educational journey and to be part of the Future Connect team.