Professional Staff

Andrene Kaiwi-Conner

Director, New Student and Family Programs

Mrs. Kaiwi-Conner has been a member of our CSU and orientation, transition and retention community for over 30 years! Prior to joining the SJSU New Student and Family Programs Team in January 2023, she was the director for new student and transition programs at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo.  Andrene is an active member and leader of NODA, the Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education where she has served the association in many leadership roles -- including as association president, association consultant, annual conference host, on the board of directors, as regional coordinator of four states, and as faculty for the Orientation Professionals Institute. She is first in her family to attend college earning her Associates degree from Cypress Community College in Orange County, then her Bachelor of Science and Master’s in Education degrees, both from the CSU at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. She is passionate about supporting students and their families while they navigate higher education and loves that she gets to do that with an equally passionate team at San Jose State University.

Drew Nicklas 

Assistant Director

Ms. Nicklas joined the New Student and Family Programs team in Fall 2021 as the Parent and Family Programs Coordinator.  She began her role as Assistant Director in Febraury 2024.  Searned her Master of Education in Counselor Education (Student Affairs) from Clemson University and has worked in first-year experience and orientation prior to joining our team at SJSU.  She is also an alumna of the CSU system as she completed her Bachelor of Science at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.  She is an active member in NODA, the Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education as well as AHEPPP, the national association for family engagement in higher education.  She is excited to support the newest members of the SJSU community!

Noheli Fuerte

First Year Engagement Coordinator 

Mrs. Fuerte earned her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (Higher Education) from California State University Sacramento and received her Bachelors of Arts in Communication from Southern Oregon University. She has primarily worked in residential life throughout undergrad and graduate school, and is excited to dive into orientation. Her Masters research project focused on exploring the wealth of support Latinx families are able to pass down to their children as they transition to college, and she is thrilled to be able to apply her research into her position at SJSU. Noheli is happy to be part of the NSFP team and excited to help new Spartans transition to higher ed!

Alejandra González-Zúñiga

Parent & Family Programs Coordinator

Alejandra joined the Spartan Community in June 2022. She began her college journey at California State University, Chico, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education with a concentration in Plant and Soil Sciences. Initially aspiring to become a high school agriculture teacher to promote agricultural literacy, Alejandra’s career path shifted after gaining valuable experience in student life, orientation programs, and university housing at Chico State.

Instead of pursuing a teaching credential, Alejandra decided to further her education by earning a Master's in Higher Education Leadership at the University of San Diego. During her time at USD, she developed a deeper understanding of student identity development and mental health, with a particular focus on first-generation students.

Alejandra is dedicated to making a positive impact in students' lives, particularly those from minoritized communities. Her passion for education and student support drives her to create inclusive and supportive environments where all students can thrive.