Graduate
Admissions Process
Apply Now
Tuition & Costs
Financial Aid
Graduate Programs 
Online Learners & FAQs
International Students
Meet Your Academic Coach
Request Info
Meet Your Academic Coach
Throughout your time at HIU you will have an Academic Coach who will work alongside you. Your Coach will be available to provide advice on your program and help tailor a completion plan that fits your individual needs. You will also be able to schedule periodic coaching appointments to develop and maintain a plan that helps you reach your educational goals, leading to professional, academic, and personal success.
Danielah Alvarado
Academic Coach Since: 2011
Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Degree(s): M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Hope International University; B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine
Serving: Graduate Marriage and Family Therapy Students
Advice to prospective students?
Making the decision to pursue your educational and career goals can be an exciting but terrifying time! I always like to find out about students’ dreams, what makes them tick—what’s the subject that brings out that gleam of fire in their eyes. Whatever your heart is passionate about, that’s what you should go after! If God has called you to supplement His work by being a professional helper, you will absolutely know it. Everyone comes in looking a little intimidated and nervous, but they soon find that being immersed in subjects that they truly enjoy makes the journey incredibly worthwhile! I went through the MFT program at Hope myself, and I can honestly say that I was challenged to grow academically, emotionally, and spiritually in a safe and nurturing environment. I learned to recognize and perfect my strengths and was pushed to sharpen and improve on my weaknesses. No matter what field you decide on, I can guarantee that you will get out of this what you put into it. Make yourself available and you will walk away equipped and able!
Will a degree require a commitment of time and money? Yes. But when you consider that a college degree opens up new career opportunities and the potential to earn significantly more money, it is well worth the effort. As you consider this important decision, I hope that I can be of some help. I’ve wrestled with many of the same tough questions and I’m happy to be able to help as you consider whether college is right for you.
How do you spend your free time?
One of the things we emphasize in the MFT program is the importance of self care. My absolute favorite self care activity is working in recording studios and allowing music to dissipate my stress. When I’m not singing, I love watching movies, reading, dancing, and painting in acrylics. I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends and you will often find me sneaking some Rite Aid ice cream! Concerts, shows, musicals, plays, performances, museums…you will always find something artsy on my calendar!
Contact Danielah
Phone: (714) 879-3901 ext. 3547
Fax: (888) 509-7497
Email: dalvarado@hiu.edu
Facebook: www.facebook/dalvarado.hiu
Annette Mativo
Academic Coach Since: 2003
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Degree(s): M.B.A., Hope International University
Serving: Graduate Ministry and Business students
Advice to prospective students?
Deciding to go back to school after a long time or right after college is exciting and can at times, present challenges. It's thrilling to continue your education and excel paving new and exciting career opportunities ahead. When you face the challenge, make it your mission to work beyond the obstacles with an "I can" attitude. Don't let giving up be an option. At the end of it all, with God's guidance, you will have achieved a fulfilling and yet rewarding education. Whether planning to make that career move or fulfilling your life's mission, we help make the back to school transition as friendly and easy as possible. We are here to help and always look forward to hearing from you!
How do you spend your free time?
When I am not spending time with family and friends, I am busy trying new recipes, watching foreign films, dining out, reading or traveling. I enjoy seeing new places, learning new cultures and going to intriguing musicals.
Contact Annette
Phone: (714) 681-7374
Fax: (714) 681-7198
Email: anmativo@hiu.edu
Sandee Venegas
Academic Coach Since: 2008
Hometown: Santa Maria, CA
Degree(s): Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, Biola
Serving: Graduate Business and Education students
Advice to prospective students?
Education opens new doors and broadens your horizons as you delve into academia. Each course at Hope offers you a new perspective on how you view the world. I love learning and HIU has an outstanding faculty that is interested in each student learning and growing. Education can be intimidating, but as believers we know we can rely on the strength given to us by our Heavenly Father to help us pursue our life goals.
How do you spend your free time?
I spend my free time with my family, my wonderful husband and two teenage boys. We are highly involved in ministry in a local church. My boys are talented, so often you will see us running off to one musical gig or another to support them and cheer them on to be all they can be in Christ Jesus.
Contact Sandee
Phone: (888) 352-4673
Email: srvenegas@hiu.edu
Justin Wilson
Academic Coach Since: 2009
Hometown: Corona, CA
Degree(s): Master of Public Policy, Master of Business Administration, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, B.S. in Political Science, B.S. in History, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA
Serving: Graduate Education students
Advice to prospective students?
Over the past few decades the demand for education beyond high school has steadily increased. More and more employers want workers with college degrees. While the idea of going back to school can often be overwhelming, Hope offers programs that make earning a degree quite manageable. Whether you work full-time or have other commitments, our programs are designed to work well with your schedule. Many of our programs are offered 100% online too, so you can earn your degree from virtually anywhere!
Will a degree require a commitment of time and money?
Yes. But when you consider that a college degree opens up new career opportunities and the potential to earn significantly more money, it is well worth the effort. As you consider this important decision, I hope that I can be of some help. I’ve wrestled with many of the same tough questions and I’m happy to be able to help as you consider whether college is right for you.
How do you spend your free time?
That all depends on the time of year you ask me. If it’s summertime, then the answer is baseball! I’m a huge Angels fan. When I’m not enjoying a game though, I like to work on classic cars, learn carpentry, write, explore new restaurants and discover the rich cultural history of Los Angeles.
Contact Justin
Phone: (888) 352-4673
Fax: (951) 739-6964
Email: jrwilson@hiu.edu
