Scholars Faculty and Staff

Audra Wells, M.A.

Program Leader / Counselor

Audra Wells is a proud Counselor and Program Leader of the Scholars Program, as well as the Counseling Faculty Lead for Noncredit Initiatives at Santa Monica College. She is a first-generation college student and graduate, completing her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services at CSU Dominguez Hills and her Master’s Degree in Counseling at Loyola Marymount University.  She has been a Counselor at SMC since 2000 and has worked with various populations including General Transfer, Noncredit and Adult Education, Nursing/Health Sciences, International, and serves as the Curriculum Representative for Counseling and Program Mapping Lead for SMC. She started her Counseling career at Marymount College in Palos Verdes for two years prior to that.  Her areas of interest and expertise include Guided Pathways, General Transfer, Noncredit Programs, Career Education and college readiness opportunities for first generation and underserved populations.  Audra is committed to working with students of all majors, educational goals, and backgrounds. It is a passion of hers to assist students in identifying THEIR passions, their priorities, and their motivations, and to help students understand that no two journeys are alike, and that patience, grace, perseverance and planning is critical in meeting educational, personal, and career goals.  Audra has raised two boys in Culver City, CA who are currently attending college and playing NCAA lacrosse together in Pennsylvania.

S220 / 310-434-4930
wells_audra@smc.edu 

Erin Cue, PhD 

Scholars Faculty Leader

Dr. Cue is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Psychology and her M.A. in Psychological Studies in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and her B.S. in Child Development with a minor in Special Education from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. As a first-generation African American college graduate, she is passionate about empowering students through education and sharing the knowledge and skills she gained during her own educational journey. She is excited to be part of the Scholars team, as similar programs greatly aided her in navigating the educational process. As an educational psychologist, Dr. Cue loves teaching and learning, and inspiring students to become active agents in their own educational journey while helping them to reach their educational goals. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that all students can succeed when provided with the right tools and support.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and playing softball.

310-434-8214
cue_erin@smc.edu

Elizabeth Esquivel, M.Ed.

Counselor

Julie Greenfield, M.A.

Counselor

Julie has been at SMC since 2000. She began her time here as a counselor in the Outreach Program and in General Counseling/Transfer Services. This is her 14th year in the Scholars Program, and she also counsels for EOPS. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she has also lived back east and in Big Sur, California. Julie has an AA in Sign Language Interpretation, a B.A. In Theater Arts and an M.A. In Clinical Psychology. Her joy at work stems from connecting with and encouraging students. In her off-time, she loves to hike, dance, and meditate.

S215 / 310-434-8661
greenfield_julie@smc.edu 

Jesse Hernandez, M.S.

Counselor

Joan Lee, M.A.

Counselor

Joan Lee is a Long Beach native and daughter of Cambodian refugees committed to supporting students and their communities. She earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology from CSU Long Beach, where she began as a Studio Arts major, and her master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to becoming a counselor, she worked as a Transfer Specialist supporting students in navigating the transfer process to four-year universities. At Santa Monica College, she has served as a counselor in the Scholars Program, Pico Partnership, and General Counseling & Transfer Services. Joan approaches counseling from a student-centered perspective, creating a space where students feel heard, supported, and encouraged. She enjoys helping students explore their goals, overcome challenges, and build meaningful paths toward their personal, academic, and transfer aspirations while honoring the identities and communities that shape them.

S219 / 310-434-8372
lee_joan@smc.edu

Denise Martinez, LCSW 

Counselor

Johanna Quintanilla, M.S.

Counselor

Johanna Quintanilla is an academic counselor with the SMC Scholars program. She has also worked as a counselor at Glendale Community College and Pasadena City College. She graduated with honors from CSU Northridge, earning her B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development and M.S. in Counseling (College Counseling/Student Services). She was born and raised in Los Angeles and is a first-generation student with parents who immigrated from El Salvador and Guatemala.  She is married to her wonderful husband.  She is a HUGE lover of all things Harry Potter and loves video games.  She is curious and values learning, education, equity, and social justice.  Her counseling style is very student-centered and detail-oriented.  She is here to teach, guide, and support students.  She loves what she does because she loves helping students succeed in reaching their educational, career, and personal goals! 

S219 / 310-434-8699
quintanilla_johanna@smc.edu

Theary Simon, M.Ed.

Counselor

Arriving in the United States as a refugee at age three, Theary grew up in Long Beach, California as a first-generation immigrant. Throughout her education, she navigated the challenges of attending underfunded schools while balancing her studies with working to help support her family. She earned a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from the University of Southern California. Today, as a counselor in the Scholars Program at Santa Monica College, she draws directly from her lived experiences to advocate for students facing similar obstacles, guiding them to realize and ultimately achieve their full potential. She is deeply committed to expanding educational opportunities for underserved students, empowering them to reach their academic and career goals so they can transform their own lives, support their families, and enrich their communities.

S219 / 310-434-8667
simon_kuntheary@smc.edu