Being new to campus can be challenging, but we’re here to help our students feel at home. FPF Advisors mentor and coach students through their first semester at Berkeley and beyond.
Celeste Lee, M.S.
- Assistant Director, Fall Program for First Semester
- B.S. Fiber Science and Apparel Design Mangagement, Cornell University
- M.S. Sports Management, Ithaca College
Celeste brings extensive experience in higher education to her role as Assistant Director for the Fall Program for First Semester. With a background in academic advising, program management, and student success initiatives, she is passionate about helping students navigate their academic journey and transition successfully to university life. Prior to joining FPF, Celeste served as Director of Operations for the Office of the Vice Provost for Online and Innovative Education at Binghamton University, where she oversaw 500+ courses. Her experience includes leadership roles in academic advising, where she coordinated orientation for thousands of incoming students and specialized in supporting international students from over 80 countries.
Ami Zins, M.A.
Academic Advisor
- B.A. Theater Arts, San Francisco State University
- M.A. Theater Arts, San Francisco State University
- TESOL Certificate (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), UC Berkeley Extension
- Coaching Certificate, Erickson Coaching International
- Podcasting, Advanced Media Institute, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism
Ami first joined FPF as a Public Speaking instructor in 2016 and became part of the advising team in 2024. She is especially passionate about creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where every student can discover purpose, community, and belonging — and is excited to support them as they explore opportunities, connect with resources at Cal and beyond, and embrace their unique journey of personal and professional growth. What Ami loves most about advising is learning what motivates students to pursue their dreams and partnering with them to chart a path forward!
Beyond FPF, Ami serves as board chair of Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area (wifsfba.org). She also loves improvising in the kitchen, is a documentary and nature photographer, avid podcast listener, and occasional storyteller at The Moth. Her professional background spans film production, directing theater productions focused on social justice themes, teaching, and coaching. A lifelong Bay Area resident, Ami enjoys sharing ideas for fun and interesting things to do around campus, Berkeley, the East Bay, and beyond!
Juan Chihuahua, M.Ed.
- Academic Advisor
- B.A. Ethnic Studies, University of California, Berkeley
- M.Ed. Higher Education and Student Affairs, University of San Franciscso
Juan was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and has lived in the Bay Area since attending UC Berkeley for his undergraduate degree. As a first-generation college graduate, he utilized services and resources such as the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), the Multicultural Community Center (MCC), the Student Learning Center (SLC) and so much more in order to succeed at Cal. Juan is passionate about helping students to ask the right questions, advocate for themselves, and take ownership of their academic, professional, and personal journeys. When not working, you will find Juan at a coffee shop, playing video games, attending live shows and keeping up with his 3 cats, Mew, Momo, and Mushu.
Sara Gamboa, M.A.
- Lead Academic Advisor
- B.A. Liberal Studies with a concentration in Special Education, Chico State University
- M.A. Counseling, Saint Mary's College
A Bay Area native with deep roots at Berkeley, Sara brings a unique perspective to the advising table. Her commitment to the student experience is personal: she and her mother, Sherry—a Berkeley transfer graduate—navigated their college degrees simultaneously. This shared journey taught Sara that there is no "perfect" way to do college, and there is certainly no such thing as a perfect question.
Having advised in the College of Letters & Science for 10 years before joining FPF, Sara is passionate about creating a space where all questions are welcome and any discussion is encouraged. Whether you're navigating a major or just need a supportive sounding board, she is dedicated to your personal growth. Outside of the office, Sara finds "garden therapy" in pulling weeds, experiments with new recipes, and loves taking day trips to the Western Sierras with her husband and seven-year-old daughter.
Kylee Beck
- Program Specialist, Fall Program for First Semester
- B.A. Human Biology, Stanford University
Kylee was raised in Sacramento and has lived around the Bay Area for the past 10 years. She is a first-generation graduate from Stanford University and began working at Stanford post-grad, most recently on staff with their summer bridge program before coming to Cal. She is passionate about improving equity and access in higher education, aiming to amplify student experiences and contribute to the ecosystem of resources available to students before, during and after college. Outside of work, Kylee enjoys being outside with her dog, playing softball and indulging in any kind of little treat.
Justin Oliver
- Director of New Student and Pre-Collegiate Programs
- B.A. Communications & Masters of Public Administration, SUNY Brockport
In his Administrator role, Justin Oliver manages a portfolio of innovative academic summer programs for newly admitted UC Berkeley students and the Pre-College Scholars program for high school students. In his role as Lead Diversity Officer, he works in collaboration with his colleagues and leadership to create a more accountable, diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment for underrepresented students and staff members.