Welcome to Cañada College
From Here, You Can Go Anywhere!
It is the mission of the Outreach Program to be the ‘face’ of Cañada College and support its’ mission by encouraging high school students and community members, especially those from underserved populations, to pursue a college education via the excellent Cañada College programs and services, as an avenue to reach their career and life goals.
Meet the Team
Olivia Cortez-Figueroa (she/her)
College Recruiter
Olivia has over 25 years of experience in higher education working in Financial Aid and Enrollment Services. She has worked in the San Mateo Community College District since 2012. She enjoys connecting with and serving all students but especially 1st-generation, BIPOC students because she was once one of these students herself. Olivia has a BA in Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley. Having been the first in her family to go to college, she understands the challenges first-generation students face - oftentimes you don't even know what to ask because you don't know what you don't know. This is why she is so passionate about sharing information about our Cañada College academic and student support programs with students, their parents, their schools and anyone who is interested in changing their lives. Olivia, together with her 'partner-in-crime' and fellow College Recruiter, Maggie, oversees the Outreach Office and the Student Ambassador Program at Cañada College. On any given day you can find her at a local high school, connecting and planning with a community partner or training Student Ambassadors. On a personal note, family is very important to her so she is often found with her husband and two children. She likes to knit, crochet, sew and quilt. She also loves to hike and, lately, has been getting into gardening succulents too. Olivia can be reached at cortezfigueroao@smccd.edu or 650-306-3209.
Maggie De Paz Fernandez (she/her)
College Recruiter
Maggie is a seasoned higher education professional with extensive experience in student services and student development. Over the years, Maggie has designed and led comprehensive orientation programs, leadership workshops, and cohort-based learning initiatives that guide students through personal and academic growth. Maggie grew up in South City and is a graduate of Skyline College and San Francisco State University! From developing culturally responsive programming to mentoring first-generation Latine students, her work is grounded in the belief that representation and cultural affirmation are critical to student success. This dedication and experience has shaped her professional mission: to create inclusive, supportive environments where students thrive, lead, and build lasting legacies within their communities and beyond. In her current role as College Recruiter at Cañada College, Maggie brings a student-centered, equity-driven lens to enrollment and outreach. Drawing on a strong foundation in student development and mentorship, they approach recruitment as an opportunity to build relationships, reduce access barriers, and support students—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—as they navigate the path to higher education. Maggie can be reached at depazfernandezm@smccd.edu or 650-381-2243.
Kaylani (she/her)
Student Ambassador
Hi! My name is Kaylani Tangatailoa and I was born and raised in Redwood City. Some of my hobbies outside of school and work is exploring nature, traveling, going to concerts, binge watching shows, trying new food spots with my friends and family, and Cheerleading! Currently, I am a Senior in Cañada’s program, Middle College, and my home high school is Woodside. I hope to go straight to a 4-year university when I graduate high school with a Social Science or Business Major. Some things that I love about being an Outreach Ambassador is getting to know people that I would have never met if I was just a student. I love talking to people of different backgrounds, cultures, and ages. I really enjoy working at events and opening new doors for people by sharing the opportunities that Cañada offers! As a first-generation student, I hope I can inspire other first-generation students to keep pursuing their passion and goals.
Maria (she/her)
Student Ambassador
bio in progress
CK (she/her)
Student Ambassador
bio in progress
Sergio (he/him)
Student Ambassador
bio in progress
Meliza
Student Ambassador
bio and picture in progress
Luzia (she/her)
Student Ambassador
My name is Luzia, I belong to the International Students community and I'm majoring in psychology. My interest areas are the social and visual arts like sociology and animation. I believe in the power of guidance, company and peer to peer support for any kind of goals in life and I love having the opportunity at Cañada to help others through their own processes and stories.
Yanina
Student Ambassador
bio in progress
Steve
Student Ambassador
bio in progress
You Could Be Our Next Ambassador!
Student Ambassador
Student Ambassador Application below!
Apply to be a Student Ambassador
Be part of our college recruitment efforts! Cañada College Outreach Program is filled with fun and passionate student Campus Ambassadors who are a valuable part of the Cañada College Community!
- Work with students and parents to provide valuable information on how Cañada College can help to achieve students' goals.
- Build strong relationships with high school counselors and teachers by providing information on high school students' successful transition to Cañada.
- Represent Cañada College and connect with members of the community while attending and assisting special events.
- Provide Campus Tours of Cañada College to prospect students, their parents and school groups/teams.
- Share your "I Story" with K-12 students and anyone interested in attending Cañada College.
- To apply, click on the "Application" link below.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 6 units at Cañada College
- Employment Authorization Documents
- Driver's License Preferred but not required
(you do need to get yourself the locations all over the bay area)
We pay: $17.00-19.00/hr for 5-20 hours per week (Some evening and weekend hours may
be required)
For more information, please email Olivia Cortez-Figueroa at cortezfigueroao@smccd.edu or Maggie De Paz Fernandez at depazfernandezm@smccd.edu
Student Ambassador Application
SMCCCD email account required to access application. Click on the link to learn more!
After you submit an application, when the Outreach Team begins to hire, they will
call you to schedule an interview.