Lizbeth Avitia loves seeing students achieve their dreams.

A first-generation college graduate, she is the lead academic adviser in the Lyles College of Engineering Advising Center.

"What I like most about my job is seeing students succeed or helping them feel empowered and reach goals they didn’t think possible," she said.

Avitia started working at Fresno State in September 2015. She has a background in urban planning and educational policy.

She has worked in a university setting for over 10 years, previously working in recruitment and admissions at the University of Illinois at Chicago and California State University, Los Angeles.

While earning her master's degree, Avitia began to see that feeling connected can make a big difference for Latino students.

"I was providing assistance to minority students who wanted to study STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics),” Avitia said. “That led me to see the big disparity of Latino students in engineering, and how having a connection at the University when applying and when attending college increased the likelihood of the student graduating. Being connected to the University truly impacts the students, leading me to try and engage the students more, and applaud their achievements."

Avitia is involved in various projects with Academic Advising and Lyles College to increase the number of female students. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers; a steering committee member for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Advising Community Leadership Committee for the National Academic Advising Association; and recently joined the Fresno State Counselor Education Advisory Board.

When not working, she enjoys exploring new places and trying out new things.

"I like to hike, and explore new national parks, take pictures and draw and paint," she said.

Avitia has a daughter, Lila Abigail, who was born in February, and has been married to husband, Jesus, for seven years. They have a Labrador/pit bull mix named Zahara and a German shepherd/rottweiler mix named Skywalker.