June Spotlight: Raquel Hicks & Erandy Guerrero
This mother and daughter duo have been contributing to student success as pillars of Enrollment Services for more than a decade. Raquel Hicks is part of our Admissions team while Erandy Guerrero is part of the team in IDP and soon to be in Financial Aid.
Where are you from originally? Is your family in California?
Raquel: Both of us are from Mexico City, Mexico. I arrived in the U.S. in 1992-93. Erandy arrived in 1996. My mother was from Mexico and my dad is from Michoacán. I left Mexico to come to California to help my sister. It was quite hard to leave Mexico as I was a teacher there and couldn’t continue my teaching career here. My dad is still in Tijuana but the rest of my family is now here as well.
Erandy: I stayed in Mexico a few more years after my mom had left and decided to go meet her in California a few years later. We both love to go back to Mexico and visit. My 3 kids also love visiting Mexico too!
Where did you go to school? What did you study?
Raquel: I obtained my degree in Psychology from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California in Tijuana, Mexico.
Erandy: I obtained my AA degree at Cerritos and transferred to CSULB for a bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in information systems. I am now completing my graduate studies in the MPA program.
How did you come to work for Enrollment Services? What do you do in ES?
Raquel: I started working in Enrollment Services through a temporary agency (Office Assistant) on contracts in 2000. In April 2001, an opening as an Admission processor came up and I got the job! I’ve been in the same position since I started. In 2003, I had the opportunity to go on the testing side for a contract for the department.
Erandy: I also started through a temporary agency and was contracted in IDP in 2002. I started as a permanent employee in 2004. I originally started with screening the documents and am now still with the team in IDP.
Tell us a story about your best day in Enrollment Services?
Raquel: There are so many good days here for me! I love being able to help students achieve their goals. One of my proudest days was when all of my three daughters had graduated from CSULB! Another remarkable story that I will never forget is this one: A Freshman student had contacted me numerous times to make sure he had everything to start his studies here on campus. He called about everything and I enjoyed guiding him through the process. Four years later, that student calls me to tell me he is graduating and thanked me for everything I had done to help him start his path at CSULB. He even insisted I go to his graduation; and I did! I had the opportunity to congratulate him in person as well as meet his family and friends.
Little details you do for people does not matter, I love helping students because they have an impact on my life. Another time, a student had to drive from Sacramento to drop off his transcripts and I did not mind waiting for him. I am here to work for the students.
Erandy: I still remember how excited I was the day I graduated! It took me eight years to finish my degree as I had three kids and need a full-time job. It was one of my biggest and proudest accomplishments. I am so grateful that I was able to complete my studies while working with Enrollment Services.
Raquel: (jumps back into the conversation – like most mothers do!): I remember when Erandy was applying to CSULB and I tried to convince the Admissions Director at the time to admit her but she was missing one year of English. Although I knew the rules really well, I was hoping the Director would change their mind. Instead, I supported her in going to community college first.
Tell us about your life outside of the office: Do you belong to local or national organizations? Do you have hobbies? Are you active in sports or recreational activities?
Raquel: I am very active in my Church. I offer help and advice to young people and parents, especially on the topic of admissions to higher education. I am also the treasurer at the church, something that I inherited from my dad who was an accountant.
Erandy: I am involved in the Staff Council here on campus. Eventually, I will also get involved with the launch of the MPA organization. I am CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Certified to help others in case of an emergency in our community. I am also the Chair of my daughter’s graduation Instagram Committee at Wilson High School and I volunteer as a committee member with my kid’s swim team. I like to stay busy!
Are you working on a special personal project?
Raquel: I am currently working on living a healthy life and finding a new opportunity.
Erandy: I am focusing on finishing my master’s degree and preparing my daughter’s graduation. My daughter doesn’t want a big party but wants to travel to Cancun, Mexico or Cuba. I also have a lot of upcoming travels with my son’s soccer team.
Are you planning a vacation this year?
Raquel: Taking a cruise with my kids in October to La Paz (Mexico) and spending some time in Michoacán (Mexico) with my father.
Erandy: I am hoping to go on a trip with my daughter and I want to go to Tijuana (Mexico) and Michoacán (Mexico) with my kids.
Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to share?
Raquel: "True Happiness consists in doing good. The wise man does not say everything he thinks, but always thinks everything he says. The only exclusive sign of deep knowledge is the power to teach." - Aristotle
My dad also taught me so much in life: "Do good things to everybody because they really need it and do not wait for them to pay you back."
My mother always said to us: "Always continue learning and further your education, because in life we will be valued by what we know not by what we have."
Erandy: “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” – Unknown
