When you walk into the Advising Center at UHD’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), you might just be greeted by Vanessa Rojas, the director of the center and a proud UHD alumna. Rojas didn’t stumble into academic advising; she built her way there—one lived experience at a time.
Rojas’ journey began like many of the students she now helps: first gen, unsure, and doing her best to figure things out. She was offered a full-ride scholarship through Project GRAD and El Paso Energy after graduating from Northside High School. This offer made UHD a “no-brainer,” even if she didn’t fully understand how college worked at the time. What stood out in her early college days wasn’t just the coursework; it was the chaos of the advising office: long lines, students sitting on the floor, including babies. It was, as she put it, like a “free clinic.”
Rojas felt lucky that her scholarship included access to a personal advisor and supplemental instruction mentors who sat in class with her and helped when lectures didn’t click. That hands-on support changed everything. And it planted a seed.
At the time, Rojas was a student worker in the library, answering everything from “Where’s the restroom?” to “How do I print this essay?” Working the front desk, she became the unofficial information booth for lost and confused students. That’s when she realized: I want to do this. I want to help students navigate college the way I figured out how to do it.
She didn’t plan on becoming an advisor. She originally came to UHD to study Biology with dreams of working at the zoo, specifically with primates. She even completed two summer internships at the Houston Zoo, where she worked closely with the animals and, yes, picked up poop in the Houston heat. “Students laugh when I tell them that, but it’s real,” she says. “It gets their attention and shows them I didn’t have it all figured out either.”
Her advisor warned against taking Biology and Chemistry at the same time, but she didn’t listen. After a rough semester, she failed both classes and lost her scholarship. That failure could’ve ended her story, but instead, it shaped her. She paid out of pocket, worked minimum wage, and reevaluated her major. When a zookeeper casually mentioned she didn’t need a science degree to study behavior, Vanessa pivoted to Sociology and loved it.
She eventually earned her B.S. in Sociology and went on to complete her M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision in Higher Education. Today, she leads a team of 11 advisors—each with different personalities and strengths—and works closely with faculty, deans, and students to make sure every student has the support they need. Her advising philosophy? “I won’t just hand you a list of classes. I’ll ask: What are your goals? Do you want to go to grad school? What career are you aiming for? Let’s build a degree plan that actually means something to you.”
Rojas brings a hands-on, team-first leadership style. Whether covering a shift for a sick advisor, jumping into a student appointment, or cheering her staff on like a Little League coach (which she also is), she leads by example. So, what sets her team apart? It’s the realness. “We’ve all had different paths. Some of us struggled as undergrads. Some were straight-A students. That mix helps us connect with students in authentic ways. We don’t just say we care. We show it.”
At home, she and her husband are raising three energetic kids and juggling baseball games, Girl Scout meetings, and homework duty. Oh, and on weekends? She’s a powerlifter. Because nothing says stress relief like lifting 300+ pounds off the ground after a long week of emails, team meetings, and kids.
She discovered powerlifting during COVID when she was advising students from her dining room table while managing virtual learning for her kids and caring for a toddler. The stress pushed her to the gym, where she found peace and strength through lifting. What started as a way to decompress turned into a passion. “Lifting heavy things makes me feel lighter,” she laughs.
And what’s her advice to anyone wanting to become a director? “Be fearless. Be relatable. And don’t be afraid to be you even if that means telling the story about how you used to scoop poop at the zoo.”
Rojas is more than a director: she’s a mentor, motivator, mom, coach, lifter, and living proof that success doesn’t require a perfect path. It just takes purpose, passion, and maybe a little bit of humor and grace along the way.