Our Staff
Miriam L. Carrillo
Upward Bound Director
(951) 372-7083
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Miriam has served as the Norco Representative and secretary for the Management Leadership Association. She currently serves as the Fair Share Chair for the Western Association of Opportunity in Personnel (WESTOP) Southern California Chapter. Miriam is also an active member of the League of Women Voters, Los Angeles and participates in events to promote civic engagement.
When she is not working, Miriam enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Claudia Garcia
Student Success Coordinator (Norte Vista High School)
(951) 739-7821
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Claudia Garcia serves as the Student Success Coordinator at Norte Vista High School. She is an alumnus of Norte Vista High School and is very proud to return to help students and give back to her community. She attended the University of California, Riverside and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She earned her Master’s in School Counseling with a PPS credential from the University of Redlands.
Gabriela Ramirez
Student Success Coordinator (Centennial High School)
(951) 739-7807
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Gabriela Ramirez has over ten years of experience working with grants at Norco College. Currently, she supports the Upward Bound program at Centennial High School by providing academic and support services to first-generation college bound students. Gabriela holds an Associate Degree in Arts and Science from Norco College, a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California Baptist University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in English Composition at California State University San Bernardino.
Nick Araujo
Student Success Coordinator (Corona High School)
(951) 739-7826
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Nicholas (Nick) Araujo serves as the Upward Bound Coordinator at Corona High School. He is a proud product of TRIO (UBMS at Moreno Valley College) and credits the program for having supported his academic journey as a first-generation and low-income college student from the Inland Empire. Nick graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Welfare, Public Policy and Education, while also receiving the 2019 Alumni Association Leadership Award. Nick also brings over five years of experience working with grants and student-support programs at school districts, public colleges, and non-profit organizations. He believes in leading by modeling, and strives to ensure that every student develops a path forward to secure a better future for themselves.
Merisa Cote
Student Success Coordinator (Norte Vista High School)
(951) 738-7209
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Merisa Cote is a proud alumna of Riverside City College and California State University, San Bernardino. She recently earned her Master of Arts in Education, College Counseling, from the University of Redlands. For the past two years, she has served as a Professional Expert in Riverside City College's Career and Transfer Centers. She also served as a Success Coach for high school students with Riverside County's Cal-SOAP program.
Merisa will be supporting the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math Science Norte Vista programs. She will be splitting her time between Norco College and Norte Vista High School.