Monique Peña

Hi, I am Monique Peña, and I advise students with last names starting with D-H!

What I find most rewarding about advising is the ability to forge meaningful connections with students and assisting them in charting a course towards their desired destinations in life. Before becoming an Academic Advisor, I worked multiple jobs: One as a Therapeutic Foster Care Licensing Specialist and the other as adjunct faculty at Pima Community College-East Campus instructing Student Success courses.   

During my final year at the UA, I was meeting with my undergraduate advisor to discuss my fears about life after graduation and career choices. I realized how she always seemed to exude joy and a caring demeanor when she was with students and I felt compelled to ask her, “How would I do YOUR job?” and I feverishly started taking notes and absorbed every word. From that day on, I set my mind on emulating my advisor’s path and embarked on the journey of Graduate School and pursued every avenue of gaining experience in the field (volunteering, non-paid internships, and seeking counsel from seasoned advising professionals). Becoming an academic advisor did not happen overnight for me; It took unwavering determination and persistence to not give up on my dream of working with college students. My advisor was someone who gave me support in a way that I had never experienced before, and it sparked something in my heart that made me feel like this was what I was meant to do. 

When I’m not working, I enjoy going taking my children on what I like to call “adventures”- I surprise them quite often by taking them to new places, trying new foods, and creating fun memories! I love binge watching true-crime stories, spending time with family and friends, and getting puppy hugs from my pitbull/boxer- Princess Leia.

I truly enjoy helping students and their families and I look forward to connecting with you!

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