College and Career Center Staff Information
C&CC Staff Contact List
Ms. Sandra Cernobori is the College Advisor at Palo Alto High School. She meets individually with students to discuss the college selection and application process, organizes parent information evenings, works closely with Teacher Advisors, and serves as the Chair of the Scholarship Committee. A graduate of Cal Poly at San Louis Obispo, Ms. Cernobori has a background in education, having taught English for eight years at San Mateo High where she implemented a Peer Mediation program for students. During a hiatus from teaching, she worked as a software technical writer while pursuing her Master’s degree in Counselor Education from San Jose State. As a part of her course of study, Ms. Cernobori worked with juniors as an academic advisor intern at Andrew Hill High School.
Ms. Alice Erber is also a College Advisor at Palo Alto High School. She supports the programs of the College and Career Center as well as meeting individually with students. Ms. Erber earned her certificate in College Advising from UC Berkeley. She has also worked as a guidance assistant at Paly, working with Joan Wrenn to support the teacher advisor program and the C&CC college advisors by overseeing the scholarship and awards program. Alice is the proud Paly parent of Jake, Talia, and Rachel Steinberg. Before staying home to raise her three wonderful children, Alice got her BFA from New York University and worked as a film editor and sound recordist on award-winning documentary films for 12 years in the bay area. She also has been an active volunteer in PAUSD schools, PTSA, and has created musicals at Addison Elementary School. Ms. Erber usually is available 8:30-3:00pm or by appointment (Monday-Thursday in December and January).
Ms. Christina Owen is the Career Advisor and Community Service Coorindinator at Palo Alto High School. She began working in the Paly Special Education Department and continued at Paly as a substitute teacher for various departments. Ms. Owen is a graduate of Homestead High School in Cupertino, has a B.A. from Brigham Young University, and a master's degree in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco. She will assist students with post-high school options and career choices. She is currently organizing a CommunityService program for Paly students, encouraging participation in the President’s Award for Volunteer Service.
A Paly graduate herself, Ms. Meri Gyves is the Work Experience Coordinator for the Work Experience and Exploratory Experience programs at both Palo Alto and Gunn high schools. On Tuesdays, she teaches two classes at Paly: Work Experience, for students preparing for new jobs, and Exploratory Experience, for students interested in unpaid internships. She is the community liaison for local employment opportunities for students at both high schools. Ms. Gyves has a BA and an MA in Education and has taught English and Social Studies for 30 years. She works at Paly on Tuesdays 9-4:30, on Wednesdays by appointment, and on Fridays 9-3.
Ms. Ann Deggelman is Co-coordinator of the Teacher Advisor Program (with Susan Shultz, Paly Guidance Counselor). She coordinates Paly’s portion of college application materials for students as well as supports the Teacher Advisors. Ms. Deggelman brings a unique perspective to the job: not only has she worked in Paly's attendance office and as the AP test coordinator at Paly, she is also product of the Palo Alto public school system as are her children; she has served on various committees at different levels-from Site Council to PTSA and more.
The College and Career Center is staffed by approximately 40 parent volunteers who work in two-hour shifts during the school day. Volunteers provide support in all phases of C&CC activities. Ms. Colleen Nielsen and Michelle Shorin are the Volunteer Co-coordinators. They provide administrative and technical support to both the C&CC and its parent volunteers. They can be contacted by leaving a message at the Volunteer desk, 329-3818 or by email.