Employee of the Month - December 2025
Brenda Medina Santillán, Advisor/Success Program Coordinator
Engineering Student Success Center – College of Engineering
Awarded Tuesday, December 2 at Friendship Walk. Brenda Medina Santillán was joined by President Andrew Jones, College of Engineering Associate Dean Antonella Sciortino, numerous campus colleagues, her husband Marcos, and their two children, Every and Elliot.
Brenda Medina Santillán is celebrated as the December 2025 Employee of the Month, for recognition of her exceptional leadership, innovative spirit, and unwavering commitment to student success. Nominated by Katarina Spralja, former Associate Director of Grants and Assessment, Brenda embodies excellence in every facet of her work.
“Her dedication and behind-the-scenes leadership have been instrumental in the success of signature events such as Day at the Beach and SOAR,” noted Spralja.
Brenda is known for examining every project with a critical eye, always striving for improvement. “After every project, she actively identifies areas of growth and implements strategies to ensure the next iteration is even stronger.”
Her innovative integration of technology has transformed ESSC operations, automating processes and elevating the overall student experience. “She designs and implements systems that make complex events run flawlessly, reduce inefficiencies, and improve student experience.”
But it is her collaboration and inclusivity that make her truly exceptional: “Her ability to unite diverse groups toward a common goal reflects her natural leadership and her talent for harnessing the strengths of others…Her devotion, innovation, and collaborative leadership not only inspire her colleagues but also create lasting, positive change for the ESSC.”
Brenda’s connection to the College of Engineering spans nearly two decades. Her journey began in 2005, when she joined the MESA program as a student assistant in the College of Engineering’s K–12 Outreach & Recruitment Office, working under the mentorship of Saba Yohannes-Reda.
What started as a student role quickly grew into a passion-driven career. Brenda later became a Program Coordinator, where she led trainings and facilitated impactful programs for K–12 students and beyond. Among her many accomplishments, she and Saba piloted the BESST program, which later became the model for the University’s Beach XP program, now implemented across all CSULB colleges.
In 2022, Brenda transitioned into her current role as Academic Advisor and Academic Success Program Coordinator in the ESSC—a position where she says she has “found her passion.” Her work supporting engineering students as they navigate academic challenges and work toward becoming fully declared in their majors is a constant source of fulfillment. Brenda often shares that connecting with students, helping them understand available resources, and watching them grow gives her purpose and motivates her to make a difference.
Brenda also attributes her growth to her colleagues, expressing deep gratitude for the ESSC team. Their collaboration, guidance, and shared commitment to students have helped shape her professional journey.
Outside of work, Brenda values time with her family. Most weekends, you can find her surrounded by her siblings, parents, husband Marcos, and their two children—Every (6) and Elliot (3)—enjoying shared meals, conversations, and cherished moments. She also enjoys camping, listening to music, reading, and playing board games.