Ejan headed to Washington, D.C.

Jihan Ejan, a retention adviser with the Center for Student Success at CSU Monterey Bay, was chosen to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Kika de la Garza Education Fellowship Program this summer in Washington, D.C.

The program is named for the Texas Congressman and former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. It is part of the USDA’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions program.

Ejan is one of 13 college and university faculty and staff members chosen for this year’s program. Fellows experience first-hand the education policymaking process and build linkages to research and funding opportunities. In addition to meeting with USDA personnel, fellows connect with and work on short-term projects with other federal agencies and organizations such as the Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Commerce Department, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

She will be in Washington from June 26 through July 16.

“The opportunity to be a Fellow will further my understanding of the educational challenges and career opportunities facing the Latino community,” Ejan said. “With this information, I hope to be a better advocate and adviser. The fellowship will give me ideas on how to better serve our students.”

Ejan joined the university in July of 2010. She earned bachelor’s degrees in sociology and Asian American Studies from UC Davis and a master’s degree in counseling with an emphasis in college student personnel counseling from San Francisco State University.

Her work experience includes academic and career counseling, mentoring, college retention, college outreach and recruitment, admissions evaluations and teaching. She has worked with students at all levels – from elementary school through university. She previously worked at CSU Channel Islands, UC Berkeley, City College of San Francisco, and for the nonprofit League of United Latin American Citizens National Educational Service Centers, Inc.