Leo Ayala

As the lead counselor at GSP, Leonardo looks to build strong relationships with students inside and outside of the classroom and foster relationships with students’ families. In doing so, he strives to empower students, with the support of their families, to determine their best fit path after graduating high school. Prior to joining the GSP team, Leonardo spent 8 years working in higher education and has utilized this experience to support students on their college and career path.

He holds a Master of Science in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University and a dual Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Chicana/o Studies with a Minor in Education from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Leonardo enjoys spending his free time outdoors biking, running, hiking, and spending time with his dog; he encourages his students to embrace the benefits of time spent in nature.