Welcome to Cañada College

Olivia Cortez-Figueroa
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 - often times 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 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 crochet, knit and junk journal. 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
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.

Rocio Vega
Ambassador

Rocio is from Bolivia. She is studying English as a second language at Cañada College. After completing ESL, she plans to continue her career as an accountant because she like numbers. Rocio really like dogs. She loves being an ambassador because she is a very patient person and she likes to help everyone.

Kaylani Tangatailoa
Ambassador

Haley Estrada
Ambassador

My name is Haley. I went to TIDE Academy and this is going to be my second year of college. I am a psychology major and I plan on pursuing a career in occupational therapy! Some of my favorite hobbies are singing, learning new things in daily life and spending time with my pets. I am excited to be a student ambassador because it allows me to get involved in the community, meet new people, and learn more as well as better my skills. 

Lupita Segura
Ambassador

Maliya Anderson
Ambassador

Ziara Matthews
Ambassador