Corps Cast: Voices of the USC College Advising Corps

This Corp Cast features Adeeva Myers, former CAC Advisor. Adeeva joined the USC College Advising Corps in 2016, fresh out of UC Berkeley and eager to support students who reminded her of herself, first-generation, low-income, and full of potential. Her involvement in UC Berkley’s Black Recruitment and Retention Center was an early indicator for Adeeva that she had a passion for a career that combined mentorship with equity.“I’m a product of college access programs. I wanted to be the person I wish I had when I was figuring it all out.”She served at Wilson High School in Long Beach, helping students navigate the college process. A student who left a lasting impression on Aveeva was Iris, a quiet student with straight A’s who didn’t believe college was for her. “ Iris was getting straight A’s but kept saying, ‘I don’t think I can do it.’ She had the ability, but not the belief.” With Adeeva’s encouragement, she helped Iris fill out applications and complete financial aid forms.“Students would say, ‘I never thought I’d go to college’ and now they’re asking me about grad school.” Years later, she reached out to let Adeeva know she was thriving and studying business, involved in student life, and more confident than ever.Adeeva’s work didn’t end there. Her younger sister was also inspired to become a CAC adviser. The two served as advisers at the same time, each guiding students at different high schools across Los Angeles. Adeeva and her sister not only served as college advisers at the same time, they also earned their master’s degrees in Educational Counseling together at USC after completing their service as advisors. “It became something we shared..helping students find their way and their confidence.”Today, Adeeva serves as Director of the Transfer Student Center at UC Irvine, supporting transfer students, foster youth, parenting students, and incarcerated students earning degrees behind bars. She credits USC CAC for shaping her leadership path and her continued passion for systemic support in higher ed. “Everything I learned at CAC led me here,” she said. “The work we do matters. It doesn’t just change students, it changes communities.”“That job got me this job. The skills I learned at CAC still guide how I lead today.”Now, she lives by the motto: build as you climb.“Nobody gets to where they want to go by themselves. The Advising Corps is the support so many students need and I’m living proof of that.”