My name is Rose Gibbens, I am the new Academic Advisor for ITEPP. 

I am the granddaughter of the late Lorraine and Ricard O’Rourke, Helen and Paul Gibbens and the daughter of Patti & Roger Gibbens.

I grew up on the Yurok reservation and am a Yurok tribal member. I am also an ITEPP alum.  I previously worked in the Cultural Centers at Cal Poly Humboldt and formerly as the Head Start Manager for the Yurok Tribe where I worked with Tribal children and families.

At Cal Poly Humboldt, my student success was fostered by ITEPP staff and Native peoples on campus. ITEPP felt like a home, a safe space where there was a familiarity and people going through the same struggles as myself. As someone who knows the importance of the program and staff at ITEPP I am looking forward to fostering a culturally welcoming environment and approach that contributes to the success of Native students and families in higher education