Melissa Giddens

Director

MGIDDENS@CALPOLY.EDU

Phone: (805) 503-0525

I am a two-time Cal Poly graduate, having completed my B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Higher Education Counseling & Student Affairs here. I have also had the absolute pleasure of working with our Upward Bound students since 2016. It has been amazing to see what our students accomplish each year and the different directions that they choose to go college and career-wise. I love the work we do, the population that we serve, and most importantly, helping our students achieve their goals! I am originally from San Jose, but love being so close to the beach here in San Luis Obispo - though I do miss attending San Jose Sharks hockey games.

Vacant

Program Coordinator

Phone:

Alicia Tedford

Administrative Support Coordinator

atedford@calpoly.edu

Phone: (805) 756-5110

My name is Alicia Tedford and I am born and raised here on the beautiful Central Coast of California. I’ve been working with our TRIO Pre-College Programs since 2019, where I started as an Administrative Assistant with Educational Talent Search. I’ve been a devoted TRIO advocate since then! I am also currently a student at Cuesta College and plan to purse an academic education in Communication Studies. In my free time, you can find me at any one of our beautiful, local wineries enjoying the sunshine.

Lourdes Asuncion

Student Assistant

lasuncio@calpoly.edu

I’m currently an undergraduate at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I am majoring in sociology with a concentration in social services. I have always had help a passion to help those in need, especially children. My career goal is to become a social worker who advocates for children who are being neglected by their families. My only hope is help give them a better childhood, and help them reconcile with their families. I am from Santa Maria, and by getting my Bachelors in Sociology I plan to use that to help the community in which I grew up in. A little but more about me is that I am spontaneous person, I enjoy going on random adventures with my friends or family, and I am pretty much open minded to anything. A few hobbies of mine are scrap booking and painting. Lastly, one fun fact about me is that I grew up learning a little bit of sign language :)