Financial Aid Representatives

Julie Aldama

Julie is a financial aid counselor and has been part of the Whittier College staff for seven years, three years as an Admissions' Support Staff and four years in Financial Aid. Julie’s passion aside from helping students is the LA Clippers. Julie was raised in Pico Rivera, and her two sons are currently Poets! Julie is involved in all aspects of the Financial Aid Office. Needless to say, she is a Jack of all trades.

Mayra Galeana

Mayra is a Whittier College Graduate and a former Lady Poet for the Women's Basketball team. She likes to keep an active life style by going to the gym after office hours. One of Mayra's most admirable traits would be her desire to help students make their Whittier experience as enjoyable as possible.

Vernon Bridges

Vernon has been in the field of Enrollment Management, with an emphasis on financial aid for the past 15 years. Relocating from Tampa, Florida in the early 90's, he began working in financial aid at The University of Southern California (USC) and later Occidental College. Vernon first arrived to Whittier College in 1998 as a financial aid consultant. Along the way, he serves as an Assistant and later Associate Director of Financial Aid with a brief stint as Program Coordinator for The Cultural Center. Vernon also worked at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (Hollywood) as Financial Aid Director prior to his return to Whittier College in the Spring of 2004. He received his BS in Telecommunication from Ohio University and has been actively involved with a wide range of campus initiatives and organizations throughout his career.

Juan Gutierrez

Juan has been part of the Whittier College Financial Aid staff for three and a half years. He is a native of Southern California. He graduated from CSU Dominguez Hills. He has been in the financial aid field for over ten years. Juan enjoys spending time with his twin boys when he is not processing loans and downloading FAFSA's!

Chris Banda

Chris is another Financial Aid Staff member who is a Whittier College Graduate. While at Whittier, Chris was part of the Cross Country/Track and Field Team. Chris is a great asset to the office due to his front line contact with all our students. His hobbies include camping, riding motorcycles and jet skis, paint balling, and anything that is related to the outdoors.