Meet the Team

Gina Ciardella, M.A. – Program Services Coordinator 

Hello Skyline College Veteran community! My name is Gina Ciardella and I am excited to be supporting you as Program Services Coordinator at the Veterans Resource Center. I previously served as an Academic Advisor at San Jose State, providing educational, personal and career counseling to students in the College of Science, including Veterans. Prior to that, I served as a Program Services Coordinator in Workforce Development at Skyline College. I have also worked for the County of San Mateo Human Services Agency in the Workforce Development division and partnered with Skyline College to provide training opportunities to students in the Energy Efficiency Industry.  I received my A.A. Degree in General Education from the College of San Mateo, my B.A. degree in Psychology from UC Davis and my  M.A. degree in Education/Counseling and Student Personnel from San Jose State University. I am passionate about providing programs and services that best serve the needs of the Veteran student population and am delighted to be back at Skyline College.  In my spare time, I enjoy anything that has to do with the outdoors. I have a special love for hiking and travelling. I am new to my role as of December 2014, so please come by the Veteran's Resource Center and say hi.

Jose Iñiguez – VRC Student Assistant

Jose Iñiguez is a United States Marine Corps Veteran and is currently in his third year at Skyline College. Jose earned his Associate of Sciences in Social and Natural Sciences earlier this year and has completed certificates in Solar Installation and Solar Energy Technology. On his free time he enjoys watching Football, Baseball, and especially spending time with his two children.

Juan Gacula – VRC Student Assistant

As everyone knows, my name is Juan Gacula. I was born in the Philippines and grew up in Hawaii. I am a veteran that served in the Navy during the 1980’s but never saw a war, or was deployed. I was stationed at Treasure Island during my active duty and went back to Hawaii after a year due to a medical condition. I came back to school at Skyline College and am trying to earn my AA degree, possibly my BA after my tenure at this prestigious community college. I am awarded a work-study program and assigned to the Veterans Resource Center helping out fellow veterans with their needs. I am married to my beautiful wife, Jesusa Aguinaldo Gacula, and we have four children. Our oldest son JC attends College of San Mateo, our second son John-John and youngest daughter, Janelle, attend University of Hawaii, and our youngest son, JP, attends San Francisco State University.

Raul Magaña – VRC Student Assistant

Hello friends! My name is Raul Magana, and I am an Air Force Reserve Veteran. Currently, I am in inactive drill status, so I am taking classes here at Skyline College and CSM to earn an associates with transfer degree to UC Berkeley. Although I have lived in San Mateo County for about 8 years, I was born East Los Angeles, and raised in Santa Clarita County. Also, I am very skilled in mathematics, so I aspire to become a Bio engineer, and design the technology of the future, which will save the lives of others. On my downtime I like to eat, and chill. I love to play video games, and I am trying to start running again. I am a pretty friendly guy, and I am also active in the Skyline Veteran Club as well.

Sandra Ruiz – VRC Student Assistant

Hello everyone! My name is Sandra Ruiz, I am beginning my second year here at Skyline & am working toward an A.S in Business Administration hoping to transfer to a U.C, further my studies & obtain a B.S. In my spare time I like to chill & listen to music with my son Dominic, taking walks outdoors, arts, crafts & jewelry making. I also practice alternative healing methods. I am a certified Reiki Master Teacher & hope to open up my own business offering Reiki as well as other alternative healing modalities. I look forward to assisting all of you in whatever I can.