Mayra Macias

Mayra Macias is an equity-minded, trauma-informed counselor who has served students at Cañada College in Redwood City since September 2019 and at Merritt College in Oakland since November 2017. She works in hybrid environments at both institutions, providing counseling services focused on retention strategies and workshop development at Cañada College while also serving as an instructor at Merritt College. Her dual roles allow her to support students through both individual counseling and classroom instruction, with expertise in teacher mentoring and wellness initiatives. She brings an equity-centered approach to her work, ensuring that historically underserved students receive culturally responsive support that addresses systemic barriers to success.?

Before her community college work, Mayra served as a career counselor at California State University East Bay from August 2016 to July 2017, where she guided students through career exploration and professional development. She began her career in education as a teacher with Los Angeles Unified School District from August 2012 to May 2014, working directly with K-12 students in the Los Angeles area. This teaching experience grounds her counseling practice in understanding classroom dynamics, learning challenges and the developmental needs of diverse student populations. Her background in special education further informs her trauma-informed approach, allowing her to recognize and respond to the varied needs students bring to their educational journeys.?

Mayra holds multiple advanced degrees reflecting her commitment to comprehensive student support. She earned a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling from Western Institute for Social Research in 2024, a Master of Arts in Counselor Education and School Counseling and Guidance Services from San Diego State University, and a Master of Arts in Special Education and Teaching from Loyola Marymount University. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at UC Santa Barbara after beginning her undergraduate studies at Santa Rosa Junior College. Her extensive training in counseling, therapy, special education and sociology positions her to provide holistic, equity-focused support that addresses academic, career, personal and systemic factors affecting student success.