Abigail Avila- Fellow 2024

Dannika Dugan-Montesano- Fellow 2024

Dannika serves as the first ever and only full-time, tenure track Counselor for the CalWORKs program at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA. She works closely with student parents who are receiving cash aid from the County of San Diego to help guide them towards self sufficiency through education. Dannika is extremely passionate about serving student parents in higher education, particularly single parents. 

Dannika was raised by a single mother receiving government assistance. Throughout her childhood, she remembers relying on food stamps for her groceries and being limited to what doctors she could go to since she had Medi-Cal. At the age of 21, Dannika found herself as a homeless single mother with no job or education. With little to no resources, she relied on government assistance like cash aid, food stamps, and Medi-Cal for her and her daugher’s survival. She quickly realized that something had to change if she wanted to escape the cycle of poverty. 

With not much hope and nothing left to lose, she decided to enroll in community college. During her time there, she was part of the EOPS/CARE and CalWORKs programs. These programs serve economically and educationally disadvantaged students and helped her with her books, supplies, childcare, and other crucial resources needed for her success in higher education. In 2016, after just two years, she graduated from community college and transferred to California State University San Marcos, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Justice Studies in 2018. She then attended San Diego State University where she earned her master’s degree in Educational Counseling in 2019. After graduating from SDSU, she became an EOPS & CalWORKs Adjunct Counselor at San Diego Miramar College, which happens to be the community college that she attended. After a short 1.5 years of working as an adjunct counselor, she secured her full-time position with Southwestern College serving the very programs that made it possible for her to attend and graduate college. 

Dannika has since gotten married, become part of a blended family, had more children, and no longer relies on government assistance to survive, but the memories of her turning in countless documents each month to the county to receive government assistance is one that she will never forget. Because of her lived experience, she has made it her life’s mission and purpose to elevate and give a voice to marginalized and underrepresented students in higher education. She is excited to obtain her doctoral degree for many reasons, one of those reasons being to show other low-income, single-parent students to dream big, because dreams do happen. 

Juan Reynoso-Fellow 2024

Juan Angel Reynoso: “nemuuly” (grizzly bear), is 2Spirit, Ipai-Kumeyaay from the San Pasqual Band of Kumeyaay Indians. An Indigenous storyteller, advocate, and teacher, his personal work centers the experiences of Indigenous/Queer kin and their perspectives within Native country; past, present, and future. He is the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of The Queer SOL Collective, a 510c(3) that activates emergence in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community through the art
and practice of Queer embodiment.

Juan holds a Master of Arts degree in Teaching and Learning from The University of California San Diego, a Bachelor of Science degree in American Sign Language and English Interpretation from William Woods University and holds dual California teaching credentials. He describes his purpose as weaving together the threads of traditional knowledge to the present. Indigenizing practices and passionately supporting individuals on their own journeys towards reconnection and self-discovery.

Vanessa Molina- Fellow 2024

Camie Dyess- Fellow 2023

Camie Lau Dyess is a Learning Experience Designer at Design39Campus, a TK-8 public school in Poway Unified School District (PUSD). Her interest in developing student agency and fostering students’ creative confidence is at the center of her work in ensuring all students, especially those underrepresented, are given access to rich, purposeful, and relevant learning experiences. It is during her time at Design39Campus that she and her team spearheaded Maker39Fair, a school-wide, learner-centered project embedded in design thinking and entrepreneurship for students to bring attention to real world problems.

As an immigrant from Hong Kong, Camie understood, first-hand, the difficulty of navigating through the education system as an English Learner. Curriculum and opportunities weren’t fully accessible to her and her family due to the language barrier. It was through arts where she found her voice and confidence in sharing her creativity and ideas in a non-traditional way.

Seeing the positive impact of arts in education for herself as a learner was fuel for Camie to earn a Bachelors of Arts in Visual Arts, Masters of Education, and Teaching Credential as a first-generation college graduate from University of California, San Diego. Soon after, Camie served as a middle school art teacher in southeast San Diego, working with at-promise students, many struggling to make connections in their learning communities. Her role as a teacher and mentor confirmed the importance of arts in education as a vehicle for connection and social emotional wellbeing for students from various cultural, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds. 

Camie continues to make space and take space in conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion as a San Diego Area Writing Project Fellow and a Teacher Leader with the California Reading and Literature Project. She looks forward to championing equity work around arts in education through the UCSD/CSUSM JDP and would like to express gratitude and appreciation as a recipient of the Chrispeels Fellowship. This award will support her as she continues deep dive into changing the way we “do” school.

Marlene Gracia- Fellow 2023

Lucio Lira- Fellow 2023

Lucio Lira (He, They, Él) is a multicultural and academic counselor in the community college system.  Lucio works at Mesa College as the Pride Center Director and at MiraCosta College as the new LGBTQIA+ Learning Community counselor coordinator.  In his two roles, Lucio helps LGBTQIA+ students and allies with their academic journey, empowers folx to become advocates and allies through creating and facilitating Safe Zone trainings, creates and promotes equity-minded services for students, and helps others find and practice their leadership skills.

Lucio grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, and is a first-generation student.  As a transborder student, Lucio needed to cross the border daily to attend Chula Vista High School and Southwestern College, where he earned his A.A. in Psychology.  Lucio transferred to UC Davis, where he obtained his B.A. in Psychology.  Later, he ventured and obtained his M.S. in Multicultural and Social Justice Education Counseling from the Community Based Block program at SDSU.  Lucio is currently completing his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the joint doctoral program at UCSD and CSUSM.  He is honored to start his Doctoral studies and to contribute with research that supports the needed interventions to help LGBTQIA+ students in community colleges to succeed.

Throughout Lucio’s career, he has supported community members through psychotherapy services.  Lucio is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) and helps folx in therapy to enhance their self-awareness and reconnect with their inner power.  Lucio’s leadership has supported building collaborations to provide free psychotherapy services to LGBTQIA+ refugees in shelters in Tijuana and workshops to help human rights defenders learn how to practice community care.

Matthew Monges- Fellow 2023

Matthew is an educator by trade with four years of experience in higher education institutions. He attended University of the Pacific in Stockton, California where he completed both his bachelor's degree and Master's in Education: Leadership and Organizational Development. Matthew currently serves as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion officer and has worked at institutions such as University of Southern California and San Diego State University. 

Matthew was inspired to pursue the JDP having witnessed his parent’s non-traditional educational path. Matthew's father, a Yaqui native, successfully navigated attending multiple community colleges on his path to earning a degree from Chico State University. His mother pursued an education while working full time throughout her early 40s all while helping to raise her children. Matthew’s calling is to help others from arduous backgrounds like his mother and father believe for themselves that they can -- and will -- succeed.

Matthew has a passion for supporting diverse populations and leading from an equity lens. While serving in the university field, Matthew helped design and implement several student-centered DEI strategic plans, and served on the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion task force for each university. He is interested in researching the following topics: multi-racial student success and sense of belonging in higher education, and low-socioeconomic students' sense of belonging and success. Matthew is honored to have received the Chrispeels Doctoral Fellowship program and knows that the JDP will allow him to serve as a more adept resource steward for underserved populations and will amplify his ability to empower others. Matthew is originally from Santa Cruz, California and currently resides in Ocean Beach with his partner and two dogs.

Candice Dorn- Fellow 2022

Candice Dorn currently serves as a Secondary Curriculum Specialist for Poway Unified School District. In her current role, she works to adopt instructional materials that are inclusive to best serve the needs of all students and create culturally responsive learning environments. Prior to working in her district role, she taught 8th grade Social Studies and AVID, a college and career readiness course, at Oak Valley Middle School in San Diego, CA. 

While attending California State University San Marcos for her degree in Social Science, Candice discovered her passion for social justice and equity. Through her course work, she reconnected with her Latinx roots and began to see her identity, the daughter of an immigrant mother, as something to be proud of. Through this transformative process, Candice understood that her calling was to support students in their understanding of the ways prescribed and ascribed identity affect students both in and out of the classroom. 

Candice often is quoted as saying, “education saved her life,” and has felt a special connection to CSUSM since her attendance. She went on to receive a Master’s in Education, as well as both Multiple Subjects and Single Subject Credentials from CSUSM. She has also continued her work with CSUSM through her collaborative efforts with the San Marcos Writing Project, served as the On Site Liaison for the CSUSM Middle Level Teaching Program mentoring new teachers. Additionally, Candice has been awarded the Tribute to Teachers Award and the CATE Henken Scholarship for Outstanding Promise and Leadership in English Language Arts.

Shanelle Watkins Changotra- Fellow 2022

Shanelle Watkins Changotra serves as the Coordinator of Black Student Success Initiatives at California State University, San Marcos. As a first generation student, Shanelle is very passionate about ensuring that underrepresented students are given access to successfully complete college while maintaining a healthy student life cycle during their college career. A native San Diegan, Shanelle was born and raised in the southeastern region of San Diego and earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University San Marcos and her master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership from the University of San Diego.

Shanelle’s goal is to become an administrator in the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the postsecondary education field. With over 10 years of experience in the educational field, Shanelle has played an instrumental role in creating and executing a wide range of programs to enhance the confidence and leadership skills of Black students at the high school, community college, and four year university levels. Shanelle enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and performing community service work through her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Shanelle has a nine year old son who will someday carry on the legacy that she is building.serves as the Coordinator of Black Student Success Initiatives at California State University, San Marcos.

As a first generation student, Shanelle is very passionate about ensuring that underrepresented students are given access to successfully complete college while maintaining a healthy student life cycle during their college career. A native San Diegan, Shanelle was born and raised in the southeastern region of San Diego and earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University San Marcos and her master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership from the University of San Diego. In winter 2022, Shanelle will begin the journey to earn her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of California, San Diego. Shanelle’s goal is to become an administrator in the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the postsecondary education field. With over 10 years of experience in the educational field, Shanelle has played an instrumental role in creating and executing a wide range of programs to enhance the confidence and leadership skills of Black students at the high school, community college, and four year university levels. Shanelle enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and performing community service work through her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Shanelle has a nine year old son who will someday carry on the legacy that she is building.

Fred Mora- Fellow 2022

Fred Mora is the Undergraduate Affairs Coordinator at the California Institute of Technology within the Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy Division, managing the undergraduate student and academic affairs for the three areas of study. His passion is in supporting students through their academic experience, and he seeks to contribute to literature and policy reform regarding student retention and the success of LGBTQ+, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) as they navigate the educational pipeline. Additionally, he will explore how we continue to weave mental health access and support into the institution's fabric and normalize mental health access for all campus community members. 

A Pacific Northwest native, Fred completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Washington, Seattle campus. He was previously at UW Seattle, working within UW Information Technology's Academic Services before moving down to Los Angeles, where he then worked at UCLA's Graduate Division before transitioning to Caltech. In addition to his work in higher education, he also served as a Suicide and Crisis Counselor with a Los Angeles non-profit whose mission is to provide quality mental health and substance use services, resources, and care to people in need. Fred holds a B.A. in Business Administration, an M.S. in Information Science and Information Management, and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies, all from the University of Washington.

Mercedes Hubschmidt- Fellow 2022

Mercedes Hubschmitt is a Director in Learning Support Services and Homeless and Foster Liaison for the Poway Unified School District (PUSD) in San Diego County, California. Before becoming a central office administrator, Mercedes served first as the first Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) teacher in PUSD, then as a high school counselor. In each of these roles, she has strived to champion for those whose voices that may not always be represented or heard.  

A collaborative educator, Mercedes has presented at the National Association for Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAECHY) conference and has shared “Promising Practices” with Homeless Education Coordinators throughout California. In her current position, she works to ensure federal and state funds are applied to programs to best serve the students that the funds target. Additionally, Mercedes serves as a Senior Associate with the Center for Culturally Proficient Educational Practice (CCPEP) where she facilitates workshops focused on Equity and Access for teams of educators across the country. 

As a first-generation high school and college graduate, Mercedes deeply values education.  Her parents consistently instilled in her that an education could change the future.  Thus, from a young age Mercedes has held the desire to serve as an educator. Recognized as a Teacher of the Year and Counselor of the Year, Mercedes is a fierce advocate for students and their families and strives to improve outcomes for the communities she serves.

Amanda J. Corona - Fellow 2021

Amanda attended UC San Diego where she earned a B.A. in Biological Anthropology in 2009. As a first-generation, woman of color Amanda learned firsthand the difference between surviving and thriving in post-secondary education. This distinction fuels her passion for addressing the underdevelopment of people of color, which has led her down a personal, professional, and academic journey of growth. 

After graduation, Amanda followed her passion for service into the nonprofit sector. Upon earning an M.A. in Nonprofit Leadership with an emphasis in organizational development from the University of San Diego, Amanda solidified her transition to Higher Ed. She accepted a position as Director of Alumni Engagement at UC San Diego where she has since held leadership roles within the university and across the entire UC system. Internationally, Amanda has spearheaded efforts to engage the Latinx community in mentorship and advocacy on behalf of the university. Locally, she is leading campus initiatives to revive the Latinx Alumni Council, and the Latinx staff leadership development program. These are just a few examples of her leadership which earned her the honor of being named a UC San Diego 2020 Exemplary Employee of the Year recipient. 

Amanda is currently exploring the role of Latinx alumni leadership councils in closing the gap in graduate degree attainment for Latinx students as a means of increasing the pipeline of Latinx faculty. Amanda is an Orange County native. She moved to San Diego in 2004 to attend UCSD. Amanda met her husband, Ignacio, during her sophomore year and they have been together ever since. They have two beautiful daughters Zoe (5), Mila (2) and a Jack Russel named Spencer.  

Jasmine Sadler- Fellow 2021

Jasmine Sadler trained as a rocket scientist and ballerina, Ms. Jasmine L. Sadler, MBA lives her life on purpose through her company, The STEAM Collaborative, which increases the number of diverse children – of all genders and cultures – pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, alongside artistic endeavors.  Since relocating from Detroit to San Diego 8 years ago, Jasmine specializes in entertainment, engineering, entrepreneurship, and education.  Her awards include 2020 Connect All at the Jacobs Center Pitch Competition, 2020 San Diego Regional Chamber Lead Advance, 2019 Blue Heart Activist of the Year, 2019 Moxie Theatre Awards, 2018 PLNU MBA Student of the Year, 2018 UofM Making A Difference Award, 2017 Global Social Innovation Challenge and the 2017 Hera Hub STEAM Trailblazer Award.

As a previous Quality Manager and Design, Test and Quality Engineer, Jasmine’s background as a 6-Sigma Black Belt has allowed her to serve through Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, and ISO Audits.  Her educational background in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, and an MBA in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Point Loma Nazarene University allows her to lead in both manufacturing operations and business metrics.  After celebrating the five year anniversary of her company, The STEAM Collaborative, Jasmine took the leap as a full-time engineer to full-time entrepreneur in STEAM Education. 

Collaborating with over 50 organizations, The STEAM Collaborative works with informal education youth organizations to design, implement, and manage STEAM programming.   Currently, Jasmine serves as an AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador, Women Give San Diego Fellow, and San Diego Repertory Theatre Board of Trustees.  For more info or inquiries on collaborating with the #DancingRocketScientist, follow and message Ms. Jasmine @theSTEAMcollab.

Youth Bio

The #DancingRocketScientist! Originally from Detroit, a classically trained ballet dancer and Aerospace Engineer, that's Ms. Jasmine L. Sadler, MBA. Her knowledge helped her turn air into Energy in her career as a Quality Manager and Software Design, Turbine Test, and Quality Engineer in San Diego, California. She combines her love of dance and art with her love for STEM as the CEO+Visionary of The STEAM Collaborative, which increases the number of diverse children – of all genders and cultures – pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, alongside artistic endeavors. She works with informal education youth organizations to design, implement, and manage STEAM programming. She takes her ballet dancing to schools then explains how physics and math can solve problems, so cool!

Martin Leyva- Fellow 2021

Martin Leyva is the Program Coordinator for the Project Rebound at California State University- San Marcos. He has a Master of Arts in Sociological Practice from Cal State San Marcos; he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts/Psychology from Antioch University and is a member of California Association of Alcohol & Drug Educators as a Certified Treatment Counselor. He has a strong passion for social justice and human rights issues and is constantly addressing systemic issues of oppression. In 2008, he founded the Santa Barbara City College Transitions Program, which offers therapeutic and educational opportunities to those affected by the criminal justice system who wish to reintegrate into society. The program was the winner of the 2012 John W. Rice Diversity and Equity Award at the state capitol. He is also the co-founder of the Transitions Collective at CSUSM, Palomar, and Mira Costa College. He also authored multiple scholarly articles, including, From Corrections to College: The Value of a Convict’s Voice. He has led training on Best Practices for Working with Formerly Incarcerated Individuals, Emotional Intelligence, and Spiritual Self Care & Healing. He is well known for his abilities with gang intervention/prevention, mediation skills, and helping individuals with drug and alcohol issues.

Jessica Aceves- Fellow 2021

As the newly appointed principal of the Imperial County Office of Education, Alternative Education Program for community and court schools, Jessica Aceves is returning to where her teaching journey began twenty years ago. After earning a bachelor's degree from the California State University, San Marcos and teaching credential from San Diego State University, Jessica returned to her native Imperial Valley, a rural, agriculture-border community, where she grew up as the daughter and granddaughter of an immigrant family. She continued her studies at the University of San Diego, where she earned a Masters in Education, Teaching and Learning, and the Most Outstanding Scholar award. Jessica would go on to earn a Masters of Arts in Education Administration from the California State University, San Bernardino. During Jessica’s 18-year tenure in the Brawley Union High School District, she focused her educational work in the areas of intensive intervention and academic support, both as a teacher and administrator. Jessica spent six years as the Director of Special Education, overseeing the Student Services Center, ensuring students’ access to educational and mental health services. Jessica extends her deepest gratitude and appreciation for her acceptance into the UCSD/CSUSM JDP, and as the recipient of the Chrispeels Fellowship for 2021, an experience she describes as an honor beyond belief. Jessica dedicates this journey to her family, as well as her students and their families she has served throughout her years in education.

Carol Battle- Fellow 2020

Carol Battle is a 20 year veteran of public education. Her experiences as “the one” African-American student and teacher in most of her academic settings have shaped and driven her pursuits in equity and diversity issues. She has taught in both Texas and California and in charter and traditional school settings. Prior to serving as CSUSM’s 2018-2020 Distinguished Teacher in Residence, Carol was a 7th grade Humanities teacher at Oak Valley Middle School in San Diego, CA where she was awarded 2015-16 Teacher of the Year. She served as Oak Valley’s Associated Student Body Director and was active on several campus committees including the school’s “Social Justice League.” Her emphasis on all campuses was infusing analysis of texts and historical events with a multifaceted lens. Carol is also a Teacher Consultant for the San Marcos Writing Project, an affiliate of the California and National Writing Projects. Additionally, she is a Board Member for the San Diego Council of the California Teachers of English and the California Teachers of English where she spearheaded the addition of a Diversity and Equity AdHoc committee and has written a column for their quarterly publication, California English. Carol earned her Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master's in Education, Technology emphasis from National University in Carlsbad, CA.She looks forward to using her Doctorate to increase recruitment and retention of teachers of color while consulting to ensure diversity and equity are at the forefront of classrooms. 

Franklin Garrett-Fellow 2020

Franklin Garrett is a student success advocate with a strong desire to help close the opportunity gaps in higher education so that every student can reach their full potential. HIs passion for addressing social and educational inequities in higher education stems from his experiences as a first-generation college student. He understands the importance of developing policies and practices that promote student development and enhance the overall student experience. 

Franklin has extensive experience in higher education in the areas of multicultural counseling, academic advising, and student services coordination. He is the Director of a Student Success Center in the Division of Physical Sciences which offers services that support the academic and career development for students in chemistry, mathematics and physics. He creates programs that increase access and provide support to under-resourced and under-served students in the science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines.

Franklin received a Bachelors in Arts in Sociology and a Master's in Education with an emphasis in Multicultural Counseling from San Diego State University. He is currently continuing his education through the University of California, San Diego and California State University San Marcos Joint Doctoral Program (JPD). Franklin was drawn to the JDP because of its focus on social justice, education reform, and educational equity. He is honored to be a recipient of the Chrispeels Doctoral Fellowship in Educational Leadership.

Moises Alvarado-Garcia-Fellow 2020

A native of Southern California, Moises attended California State Polytechnic University of Pomona where he earned his B.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science and a Minor in Chicana/o Latina/o Studies in 2015. Holding a deep passion for student success and professional development he attended California State University, Fullerton where he earned his Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Higher Education in 2018. 

During these year’s Moises worked in critical areas within the Student Affairs Division at both California State Polytechnic University of Pomona and California State University, Fullerton that included: Student Life and Leadership, Campus Recreation, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Summer Bridge, Transfer Bridge, Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers, Male Success Initiative, and the Center for Research on Educational Leadership and Access. 

Passionate about student success, equity, and social justice, Moises joined the Student Success Coaching team in 2018. He hopes to bring his wealth of experience to best serve the first-generation student population at the University of California, San Diego.

Christobelle Tan- Fellow 2019

Jose Diaz- Fellow 2019

Baramee 'Peper' Anan- Fellow 2019

Baramee Peper Anan graduated with a B.A in Communication and a minor in Psychology from UC San Diego's Thurgood Marshall College in 2006 and went on to earn a Masters degree in Postsecondary Educational Leadership with a Specialization in Student Affairs from San Diego State University in 2009. An out bisexual, Transgender F2M (Female to Male) staff person-of-color, he has been an Academic Counselor at UC San Diego since 2009 and is currently a Senior Academic Counselor at UC San Diego’s Eleanor Roosevelt College (since 2012) primarily serving the undergraduate student population on general education requirements, integrating experiential learning into long-term plans, and facilitating students’ progress toward degree completion. He has served as the founding Chair of the UC San Diego Undergraduate Academic Advising Council’s Training and Professional Development Committee implementing training modules for undergraduate academic advisors and currently serves on the university’s Time to Degree development and training committee to train academic advisors on factors that affect students’ time to degree using advanced analytics technologies. In addition, he has held the Treasurer position for the UC San Diego LGBT Staff and Faculty Association (2016-2018) and has recently been admitted into the UCSD/CSUSM Ed.D. Joint Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership to study transgender and non-binary students persistence in higher education. He enjoys being able to give back to his alma mater by providing support to students and staff and advocating for their needs while also challenging them to expand their horizons.

Belinda Zamacona- Fellow 2018

Francisco Solis-Fellow 2018

Francisco Solis is a District Resource Teacher in the Chula Vista Elementary School District and an adjunct lecturer at California State University San Marcos. Mr. Solís has an earned Master of Arts degree in Education from CSU San Marcos and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from UC San Diego. He has a Multiple Subjects Credential with a Bilingual Cross-Cultural and Academic Development emphasis obtained through CSU San Marcos’ School of Education, and is currently working towards his Preliminary Administrative Services Credential at the San Diego County Office of Education. 

Mr. Solís was born in the border town of Mexicali, Mexico and came to the United States at the age of one. At age 18, he left the Imperial Valley for college and currently resides in Chula Vista. He has been married for 11 years to Martha López-Solís, currently a kindergarten teacher (who he met the first day of his student teaching). He has 2 children; Citlaly Alessandra (7) and Carlitos Alexander (4).

Mary Taylor- Fellow 2018

Shawntanet Jara- Fellow 2017

Shawntanet Jara has been a TK-2nd grade classroom teacher since 1997, having worked in Los Angeles and Orange County. She joined the Solana Beach School District in 2005 and now works as a Teacher on Special Assignment for CA State Standards Implementation. She aims to improve student achievement by supporting staff members in the successful implementation of the CA State Standards through modeling effective research based instructional strategies, developing curriculum and assessments, and conducting professional development.

Shawntanet has a M.A. is Developmental Psychology and earned National Board Certification in 2005. In her current role, she focuses on building strong authentic relationships within the school cultures, coordinating and facilitating opportunities for modeled lessons, co-planning and co-teaching with teachers, researching best practices and options for professional learning and collaborating with TOSAs, teachers, administrators, and staff. She is also a mother of two daughters, ages 7 & 10 who have introduced another wonderful realm of living called Motherhood. Shawntanet is so proud that her daughters will be able to witness the further transformation of their mother, as she engages in this rich Ed.D program. 

Drew Schwartz- Fellow 2017

Jonathan Penuliar- Fellow 2016

Jonathan Bernard Penuliar traces his family roots back to the islands of the Philippines. Struggling to find work after college, his parents were blessed to have been given the opportunity to immigrate to San Diego in the late 1970’s. Starting in a working-class neighborhood in South San Diego’s National City community, his parents worked hard and saved enough to slowly migrate north in order to give their children access to alternative educational experiences in the Poway Unified School District.

Inspired by his parents’ perseverance, Jonathan continued his education and received his B.A. in English and communication at UC Santa Barbara. He then proceeded to complete the M.Ed. and Teacher Credential Program at UC San Diego. Through this program Jonathan was able to teach in South San Diego schools, serving the community his parents once called home. He has further supported this demographic through deep involvement in the nonprofit sector by working with organizations such as UC San Diego’s Upward Bound program, a federal grant project that aims to increase the collegiate success of low-income, first generation students. 

Having returned to the Poway Unified School District, Jonathan is currently the English Language Development site coordinator, yearbook adviser, and theatre director at Twin Peaks Middle School. He is also a faculty member in the English Department. His work revolves around the basic premise that all students deserve every opportunity to succeed through a safe and rigorous learning environment.

With research interests in the areas of cultural intersections in schools, language and education, and social justice education, Jonathan is back to pursue doctoral study in the UC San Diego/CSU San Marcos Joint Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. Jonathan is incredibly grateful for being selected as a recipient of the 2016 JDP Chrispeels Fellowship. This award will support him in continuing his journey as a scholar-practitioner whose aim is to positively impact organizations and school systems to build stronger communities through education. 

Michelle Sadrena Pledger- Fellow 2016

Michelle Sadrena Clark is a 9th grade World Cultures, Geography, and Literature  teacher at High Tech High North County in San Marcos, California and a School Transformation Coach.  She earned her Master’s in Pacific International Affairs, with a career concentration in International Development and a regional specialization in Latin America at the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, University of California, San Diego. Prior to entering graduate school, Michelle lived in Bisai, Japan for two years, teaching English and American culture at public junior high schools while engaging in performance dance and theater. Michelle received her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Irvine, with a major in International Studies and a minor in Clinical Psychology. During this time she also attended La Universidad Catolica Pontificia in Santiago, Chile for one semester. Proficient in Spanish and conversational Japanese, Michelle enjoys international travel and leaves the country at least twice a year.  While working at High Tech, Michelle has taken student's to Washington D.C., the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, the U.K., France, Panama, and Costa Rica.  Michelle recently earned her Certification in Dance at Palomar College and was awarded 2013 Dancer of the Year. As a former member of the renowned public speaking organization, Toastmaster’s International, Michelle has won numerous accolades for competitive public speaking. Her 2014 speaking engagements include the USC Shoah Foundation Gala when Stephen Spielberg presented President Barack Obama with the Ambassador for Humanity Award, TEDx Hollywood, and the Past is Present 70th commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz. With a dual passion for education and dance, she embraces an energetic teaching and coaching style. Michelle seeks to enhance her leadership and social justice facilitation through the Joint Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership at the University of California, San Diego and California State University, San Marcos.

Adriana Lepe-Ramirez-Fellow 2015

Adriana Lepe-Ramirez is the youngest daughter of Mexican immigrants. She was born and raised in Los Angeles and determined to set her own path, despite her parents’ sacrifices and heeded warnings. At the age of 18, Adriana became a single mother and faced a grim list of statistics that society had prescribed for her. It was then, while attending Rio Hondo Community College that she decided to take control of her life. During this difficult time, she overcame an overwhelming number of obstacles where she discovered courage, strength, and determination. As she focused all of her energies into work, school, and raising her son, she thrived. Adriana earned her AA from Rio Hondo Community College in the winter of 1996, and used this momentum and her dedication to her parents and son to continue her education—providing a life for her son and making her parents proud. 

Adriana completed her Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with an option in History from California State University, Los Angeles and went on to earn her teaching credential. As part of her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership with a focus on urban education at California State University Sacramento, Adriana wrote a staff development curriculum, which focused on classroom management strategies for teachers working with at-risk youth. She is currently an Assistant Principal at a comprehensive high school where more than 80% of the students are on free or reduced lunch and are faced with the challenges that come with living in poverty. She is committed to enhancing her own work in education so that she can provide her students with educational experiences that build confidence, promote success, and ultimately give students the choice to break the cycle of poverty through educational opportunities that may have otherwise been a mere dream or impossibility.

Anna Lozano-Partida-Fellow 2015

Anna Lozano-Partida is currently the Assistant Principal of Rancho Minerva Middle School in the Vista Unified School District. Before her administrative career, she had the pleasure of teaching seventh grade math, science and AVID in the Palmdale Unified School District. Growing up as the daughter of two immigrant parents in a low socioeconomic household, she never envisioned herself achieving the academic and professional successes that she have achieved as of today.

Being a first generation college student, Anna had no idea how higher education worked, but through diligence and perseverance, she found her way. In 2005, she graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelors of Science in Physiological Science. Her intention at that time was to pursue medical school.  However, she had to fund the costly application process herself and that is when she began substitute teaching. While working and saving for the long life dream of becoming a doctor, Anna discovered her passion for education.

Once Anna discovered the impact she could have on young students, she realized she could still save lives but through education. Shortly after substitute teaching, her enthusiasm and passion for teaching was recognized and she was hired as an Intern Teacher. Anna was able to teach her own classes while attending California State University, Bakersfield for her teaching credential.

After the completion of her credential, she attended Chapman University to pursue her Masters of Art in Educational Leadership.

Now that she has immersed herself in education, she desires to continue learning and leading others in helping our youth receive equitable educational opportunities. Anna is thrilled to be a part of the Joint Doctoral Program through California State University, San Marcos and the University of California, San Diego.  Although she changed career paths, Anna never gave up on her dream of obtaining a doctorate degree. She will continue learning, leading and educating because every child deserves a choice in their future, regardless of the life they are born into.

Lety Banks- Fellow 2014

Lety approaches her doctoral program at UCSD with three decades of teaching experience in domestic and international settings. She has conducted teacher training in Mexico, Africa, China, Brazil, Chile, and the United States and currently teaches at the American Language and Culture Institute at California State University San Marcos, where she also served as the Assistant Director for over three years. In 2011, she served as an English Language Fellow in Chile and is currently an English Language Specialist, both for the US Department of State.

Her strong interest in helping teachers of English as foreign language has taken her back to Mexico to help pre-service and in-service English teachers to address the teaching skills that the world demands, schools need, and students deserve.  She is honored to receive the Chrispeels Fellowship and is committed to improve the teaching experience of new and seasoned teachers.

Melissa Han- Fellow 2014

Melissa Galang Han is the daughter of Filipino immigrants who realized her parents’ dream rested on how she made her own dreams a reality. Growing up as a first generation Filipina contained its own struggles in trying to embrace her culture while discovering her own identity. It wasn’t until high school that she realized she needed to transform her shame into pride and fear into courage if she were to honor her parents’ sacrifices. While in high school, she observed and mimicked friends who knew how to stay on top of college application deadlines, which high school AP courses to take, and which college information meetings her parents needed to attend. During this time, she learned how to function beyond a survivor. She thrived. She discovered how to harness the courage her parents had in moving to a foreign land and used it to propel her into what she dreamed for her own life. Melissa completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California San Diego, went on to receive her teaching credential at San Diego State University, and wrote Listen! Using Student Voice to Guide a Democratic Classroom as part of her Master of Education degree in Teacher Leadership from the High Tech High Graduate School of Education. She currently teaches elementary students who come from immigrant families, where they too carry the obligation of fulfilling the dreams that their families have for them as hers did. She is committed to deepening her own work in education so that she can be an instrument in enabling her students to achieve dreams that don’t merely help them survive, but shape them into thriving contributors of society. 

Irma Fernandez- Fellow 2013

Irma Fernandez is honored to be among other recipients of the Chrispeels Fellowship. In fall of 2005, Irma returned to college as a mature learner to complete undergraduate work at California State University San Marcos. While completing her last semester as an undergraduate, she concurrently began CSUSM’s College of Education teaching credential program. In spring 2009, Irma was nominated for, and became the recipient of, the College of Education Dean’s Award for her work in the Multiple Subject/Education Specialist Credential Program, as well as for the extensive service she had provided to local schools. By spring 2010, Irma had completed her Masters of Arts in Education graduate level coursework, and was hired by Capistrano Unified School District. Being an educator in a Title One school has provided her with many opportunities to assist Spanish speaking families and students from the low socio-economic stratum. As a bilingual and bicultural leader, she believes her presence at University of California, San Diego will increase campus and departmental diversity through the demonstration of her high academic achievements. Today the field of education calls for individuals to be sensitive and knowledgeable of the multicultural world, with the responsibility of the administrator to close the gap in education’s cultural divide.

Josie Gomez- Fellow 2013

Josie participates frequently in community service events in the City of Perris, and currently works with community partners to help the Sky View Elementary School Community.  Josie also serves on the board of a non-profit corporation called Enhance the Gift.    Josie has a twenty one year old son, and a sixteen year old daughter that is a high school honors student.  

Josie Gomez is currently serving her third year as Principal of Sky View Elementary School, in the Perris Elementary School District, located in Perris, California.  Josie serves a diverse community of learners as well as educators.  Prior to becoming Principal, Josie served as an Assistant Principal, Project Resource Teacher, and a Classroom Teacher.  Josie has worked in the Perris Elementary School District since July of 2002.  Josie holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership; a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies; an Administrative Services Credential; a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential; two Associates Degrees; and a Paralegal Certificate.

Carla De La Torre- Fellow 2012

I am honored to be chosen as one of the first recipients of the Chrispeels Fellowship! I obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts in Liberal Studies and Spanish from California State University San Marcos in Spring of 2002. Presently, I am continuing my education through the University of California, San Diego and California State University San Marcos Ed. Joint Doctoral Program.  It has been a privilege to be able to apply my studies as a classroom teacher for the last 8+ years. I am currently working in my hometown of Perris, CA as the Coordinator of English Support Services for the Val Verde Unified School District. I have dedicated my career to working with underrepresented students within the English Learner Program and the Special Education Program.  I believe wholeheartedly that all students have the right to a high quality education. This belief continues to guide both my work and my studies! I am extremely grateful for the generosity that has been extended to me through the Chrispeels Fellowship as I continue my education in a desire to better serve students! 

LaWana Richmond- Fellow 2012