Barbara Herrera

Barbara Herrera's journey at CSUSB exemplifies dedication and growth, both personally and professionally. Starting as a transfer student from East LA Community College in 2009, Barbara earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology and became known as "Barbs" to many on campus. Her commitment to student success began when she first joined CSUSB in 2007, working with the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) from 2007 to 2011. In 2011, she transitioned to working with the Student Mentoring Program (SMP), and by 2012, she took on the task of restructuring the program, which is part of Academic Success and Undergraduate Advising (ASUA). 

Through her leadership, the program has expanded from 15 mentors to 80, serving nearly 1,000 mentees. Barbs’ focus on continuously learning and adapting the training for student mentors has been crucial in helping ease first-year students' transitions into college life. Initially, the SMP offered little to no training for mentors, but under Barbs’ guidance, it now features a fully peer-led student mentor training. She also carefully considers each mentee's needs, matching them with mentors based on major, hobbies, or interests, creating a personalized support system. 

Despite the challenges of developing a comprehensive training procedure, Barbs’ work was recently recognized by a colleague who submitted a nomination to the 2024 President’s Staff Awards in the Outstanding Employee category. When Barbs’ name was called as one of the recipients during Convocation, her reaction was humble—surprised to receive such an honor, she felt that she worked just as hard as others and was not expecting to win. Her dedication is rooted in supporting her students and mentoring the 80 individuals she has hired. She invests in each one, helping them identify their strengths and weaknesses and serving as a key figure in their professional development. 

In reflecting on her goals, Barbs shared, “I don’t have goals; I have wishes.” Her wishes revolve around the success of her students and mentors, hoping that they take what they have learned from the program and use it to thrive after college. She also spoke about how overseeing so many different personalities in her role has given her insights into parenting, allowing her to better understand and support her own children. 

The impact of the SMP on students is profound. One of Barbs’ student mentors shared their personal experience: 

“SMP has made a very big impact on me. I was once a mentee, and my mentor gave me such a great experience with the program. So much so that we're comfortable talking to each other to this day. This made me want to be able to do the same with others. I wanted to impact somebody's life the way she did for me. I'm also very passionate about the wellness of others and enjoy helping the people around me, so this gives me the perfect opportunity to do so on a far larger scale. All in all, the student mentoring program is something that I am very thankful for and choose not to take for granted.” 

The student’s reflection illustrates how Barbs’ leadership in building the Student Mentoring Program continues to create meaningful and lasting connections between mentors and mentees, fostering a culture of care, growth, and support. In addition to being the Student Mentoring Program Coordinator, Barbara Herrera is also a lecturer. Her work has shaped the experiences and futures of countless students, leaving a lasting legacy of dedication and positive influence at CSUSB. 

Published February 2025
Written by Emily Alvarez and Rowena Casis-Woidyla