Dr. Geisce Ly, Dean of Educational Partnerships and Outreach

Brief Biography: Geisce is passionate about motivating others to live their best life and do their best work. His career reflects more than 30 years of dedicated service uplifting college students to achieve their goals and empowering leaders to be positive change agents by centering on personal excellence, professional development, and prioritizing self-care. As a mindful leader, Geisce’s life’s motto is to always add value. He earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from University of Michigan, M.Ed. in Counselor Education from Penn State University, and B.A. in Social Ecology from UC Irvine.

Passion or Hobbies:  Geisce enjoys reading, mentoring others, running, and traveling—especially to explore our national parks (he’s been to 29 thus far). His greatest joy, however, is spending quality time with his wife and two daughters. 

Favorite Place on Ocean Campus:  Geisce is a big fan of our Culinary Arts Department and loves to dine at the Chef’s Table when he has an hour for lunch. When he only has a few minutes, he goes to the cafeteria in Smith Hall to pick up a yummy breakfast and/or delicious lunch. He also likes running on the track after work when the weather is nice. 

Anything Else to Share: Geisce serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of California Community College Administrators, where he collaborates with colleagues across California to support leadership development and advocate for student success. He is also involved with the Parent Teacher Student Association at his daughter’s school.

Erika Flores, Director of High School Partnerships and First Year Experience

Brief Biography:  I have worked in the community college field for eight years. I have a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from San Francisco State University.

Passion or Hobbies: My hobbies include reading, baking, and trying all of the best breakfast spots around the city. I am passionate about working with students to find their educational path.

Favorite Place on Ocean Campus: My favorite place is the library. It has great views and lots of resources. 

Anything Else to Share: I am excited for my journey at CCSF.

Cathy Chang, Sr. Management Assistant, Outreach and Recruitment

Brief Biography: Cathy Chang has been working in higher education as academic staff, administrator, and instructor since 2010. Prior to her time in higher education, she had various roles in marketing, PR, and project/program management. She served various organizations from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies in Technology, Advertising, PR, and Hospitality industries such as Microsoft, the Westin Hotel, and J. Walter Thompson. She also started and ran two small businesses in Seattle and San Francisco. She has a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and a M.A. in Organization and Leadership from the University of San Francisco.

Passion or Hobbies: Cathy's passion is education and leadership. It took 20 years for her to discover her true passion, but she is very grateful that she eventually did and she loves helping students achieve their dreams. Whenever time allows, she teaches short courses in general business, entrepreneurship and innovation, and leadership at Bay Area Colleges. She believes in a quote from Aristotle which resonates with her educational and leadership philosophy, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

Favorite Place on Ocean Campus: Cathy's favorite place on our Ocean campus is the seating area on the fourth floor in the library overlooking the football stadium and an amazing view of San Francisco.

Anything Else to Share: Since the pandemic, Cathy has started growing fruit trees from seeds which has become one of her new hobbies. She now has various fruit trees including avocado, mango, apple, pear, cherry, mandarin orange, and lemon.

Danielle de Bruin (she/her), Volunteer Coordinator, Outreach and Recruitment

Brief Biography: Danielle is a proud San Franciscan that grew up five minutes away from the Ocean Campus. She started her career working for housing and homeless services nonprofits before transitioning into higher ed. Before coming to CCSF, she managed social justice programming for Northeastern's Center for Leadership, Equity, and Excellence. In her role at CCSF, Danielle manages the Student Ambassador program and enjoys supporting students as they grow as leaders on campus.

Passion or Hobbies: Outside of work, you can find Danielle practicing Rocket yoga or taking a long walk at Ocean Beach.

Aaron (A-ron) Orpilla, Sr. Management Assistant / Metro Transfer Program Coordinator

Brief Biography: Aaron Orpilla is a first-generation college graduate from Chabot College and San Francisco State University. His experiences in navigating community college cultivated his passion to support students from marginalized backgrounds. Aaron Orpilla has been managing and directing student support programs for over 8 years. He has taught ethnic studies at Balboa High School through Pin@y Educational Partnerships (PEP) and has served as a program manager for the Richmond Neighborhood Center at Wallenberg High School, Asian American LEAD (AALEAD) in Washington, DC, and the Southeast Asian Development Center (SEADC) in the Tenderloin community.

As a program manager for these organizations, Aaron has initiated many different college access programs supporting students on their journey to college. More recently Aaron has worked as a Community School Director/Manager at both San Francisco Unified School and Oakland Unified School District. Through these experiences, Aaron has created and sustained culturally relevant programming for students that focuses on identity, leadership, academic enrichment, and health and wellness. Moreover, he is committed to training and mentoring the development of staff to provide quality student support programming and support their overall professional development and success.

Passion or Hobbies:  A-ron is a storyteller and does this through performing arts. He enjoys acting and directing stories of his Queer Filipinx experiences.

Favorite Place on Ocean Campus:  The beautiful view from Batmale Hall

Anything Else to Share: Join Metro! ccsf.edu/metro Visit me in the Metro Resource Center MUB 338!

Karen Louriana M (KLM), CTE Coordinator, Outreach and Recruitment

Brief Biography: KLM has proudly served the community in various roles. She is very much influenced by her Ethnic Studies degree.

Passion or Hobbies: KLM enjoys crafting, being creative, and cats.

Eleanor West, Student Assistant, Outreach and Recruitment

Brief Biography: Eleanor is a Political Science major at CCSF entering her third semester. She is a San Francisco native and was a part of the Spoken Arts department at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts. Prior to working as an assistant in Outreach Services at CCSF, she worked as an intern at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, tutored children in writing at 826 Valencia, and was a laborer in a distillery.

Passion or Hobbies: Eleanor enjoys sewing, jewelry making, and baking. When she has time, she loves hiking and backpacking.

Favorite Place on Ocean Campus: Eleanor loves studying in the Ocean Campus library.

Anything Else to Share: Eleanor has four cats - Rascal, Roxie, Tommy, and Bruce!

Rose Mary Lwin, Student Assistant, Outreach and Recruitment

Brief Biography: Rose Mary is a Biology major at City College of San Francisco entering her third semester. She is an international student from Myanmar(Burma). Prior to working as a student assistant, she worked a front desk at dental office. From then on, she discovered her passion for helping people.

Favorite Place on Campus: Rose Mary's favorite place on Ocean Campus would be the STEAM building, seeing the whole view of the Science Building across the street.

Passion or Hobbies: Rose Mary enjoys swimming and doing nail arts. She also enjoys walking in the nature.

Anything Else to Share: Rose Mary loves to explore new restaurants in the city.