Tyana Kendrick

Student Academic Success Specialist

Email: tyana.kendrick@sjsu.edu                            Phone: (408) 924-2497

 Bio: Tyana is a Public Health and Higher Education  professional with several years of experience in tutoring, case management, and program management. She attended San Joaquin Delta College and received three A.A. degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies, Teacher Preparation and Professional Development, and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities while being a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society. From there Tyana transferred to San Francisco State University and received her B.S. in Public Health with an Anthropology minor during Spring 2020 so she didn’t walk the stage until Spring 2022. She earned her Health Education Specialist Certification from NCHEC in 2021.

During her time at SFSU Tyana worked in the Health Promotion and Wellness Department specifically as a Mental Health Ambassador and part time Basic Needs Program Coordinator. She also interned at San Francisco General Hospital in the Community Wellness Center and became an SFSU  President’s Leadership Fellow.  Prior to starting at the Exploratory Student Success Center Tyana was a Youth Advocate and Housing Program Manager at a nonprofit serving LGBTQIA+ youth as well as SFSU students facing housing and food insecurity.

As a previous transfer student and case manager for college students, Tyana understands the importance of self care and accessing campus resources as two of the most important keys to student success. She believes successful advising comes from focusing on students holistically.

Q & A

1. What was your favorite class in undergrad?

My absolute favorite classes were Introduction to Anthropology + lab and Contemporary Sexuality. Intro to Anthropology got me into the subject with the mix of culture, biology, chemistry and history. It kept me very engaged in the lecture, and learning anatomy and diseases was fun in the lab. We went to Sacramento Zoo to observe primates as a class and I was set on Anthropology as a minor after that. The Contemporary Sexuality course was really helpful in teaching me how to write academically about sexuality and gender identity. I loved it so much I stayed a TA for the professor after I graduated!

2. What are some of the places you have traveled to?

I haven’t traveled a lot outside of California but Las Vegas was really fun, they have great food and really great card and game shops. Visiting Chicago was one of my favorite trips, the city is beautiful and I can’t wait to go back. I’m hoping to make my first trip out of the country soon.

3. What is your piece of advice for incoming students?

Ask questions, even if you think they aren’t worth asking. Also, know what your tuition is paying for! Students have access to so many resources included in tuition fees that are underutilized but can be life changing.