Yanelly Gurrola Anaya

Student Success Advisor

She/Her/Ella

As a first-gen Mexican-American alumna, PLU is where I found my voice :) I love giving back to the campus that shaped me by ensuring underrepresented students feel seen, supported, and know they belong in higher education. Go Lutes!

Email: gurroly@plu.edu

Office Location:Mortvedt Library - Room 125

Employed: 2 Years

  • Professional
  • Biography
  • Why PLU?

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice, Pacific Lutheran University, 2025

Areas of Emphasis or Expertise

  • Holistic Academic Advising & Student Retention
  • Crisis Case Management & Resource Navigation
  • Title IX, Compliance & Institutional Accessibility
  • First-Generation & Bilingual Student Advocacy

Biography

As a proud first-generation Mexican-American alumna and Success Academic Advisor, Yanelly specializes in holistic student advocacy, crisis case management, and institutional accessibility. Having grown her career at PLU through impactful roles within Wellbeing Services and Resources (WSR), the Title IX Office, and the Dean of Students Office, she brings a deep, equity-centered understanding of campus resources, university compliance, and student support systems.
Yanelly leverages her bilingual skills and native fluency in Spanish to bridge cultural gaps, streamline outreach, and connect meaningfully with diverse student demographics. She is deeply committed to helping incoming students navigate complex university systems, fostering a strong sense of belonging, and empowering every Lute to build the confidence they need to thrive academically and personally.

Why PLU?

PLU is a community that genuinely invests in student growth, equity, and care. Having walked these halls as both a student leader and a professional, I love giving back to the campus that shaped me. I am passionate about ensuring that first-generation students and those from underrepresented backgrounds see themselves reflected here, feel supported at every step, and know that they belong in higher education.