First Year Experience (FYE)

Meet the Team

Kaitlyn Koo, Success Coach

Email: kookaitlyn@fhda.edu
Phone: 650.949.7215

As a first-gen ally, and former Ohlone Community College student, I am so excited to learn about your student journey! I am a Success Coach at Foothill, and I am here to meet with you to discuss study strategies, the hidden curriculum, leadership opportunities, and campus resources to support your growth and college experience.

 

Jue Thao, Counselor & Instructor

Hi, I'm Jue Thao (she/her), and I serve as a counselor and instructor at Foothill College.

My journey through higher education began at San Joaquin Delta College. As the first in my family to attend college, the path wasn’t always easy. With perseverance, support, and determination, I transferred to UC Davis, where I earned my degree in Sociology. I later continued my education at Sacramento State, earning a dual M.S. degree in Career Counseling and Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling.

These experiences shaped my passion for working with students who come from historically marginalized communities. I’m here to help you find your path, overcome challenges, and thrive. The most rewarding part of my work is supporting students like you and being part of your academic journey. You belong here, and I’m excited to support you.

Brian Curran Lewis, English Instructor

Brian grew up in the Northern Bay Area where he started his college journey as a Community College student majoring in Physics at Santa Rosa Junior College. While Brian loved physics, he loved English classes even more, so he transferred to UCSB as an English Major and continued his post-graduate study of literature at SFSU in the Comparative Literature department. After Graduate school, He's focused his energy on teaching, hoping to create valuable learning experiences for students at Foothill, where he has worked in the English department for the last 25 years. 

Jordana Griffiths, English Instructor

Jordana grew up in Santa Cruz County and has also lived in Arizona, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. She earned a B.A. (Honors), M.A., and Ph.D. in English from the University of Oregon, focusing on race, gender, and environment in the memoirs of diverse writers from the American West in her graduate studies. Jordana has been a full-time English Instructor at Foothill College for many years, teaching composition, critical thinking and reading, Native American literature and California literature, and mindfulness strategies for students. Jordana taught English in the original FYE program at Foothill years ago and is excited to be part of FYE now. She is a strong supporter and ally of first-generation college students, committed to helping first-year college students find support and thrive as they explore all that college has to offer.