Elia Hernandez
Elia was born in California and raised between California’s Central Valley and Mexico. She is the daughter of immigrant farmworkers and a first-generation college student. She earned a B.A. in Cognitive Science and a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California, Merced. Elia moved to Northern California in 2019 where she worked in child welfare, workforce development, and career navigation before joining Chico State in 2024. In July 2026, she transitioned into her role as an Academic Advisor.
As a first gen college student, she understands the unique experiences and challenges many students face while navigating higher education and is passionate about helping students navigate their academic journeys and connecting them with resources that support their goals.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, a proud Chico State Alum, and their kitten, Yaeger, as well as traveling, hiking, paddle boarding, reading, playing board games, and discovering new restaurants and coffee shops.