爆料社区

Dr. Jos茅 M. Alamillo

Professor and Chair of the Chicana/o Studies Department, CSU Channel Islands

Jos茅 M. Alamillo is Professor and Chair of the Chicana/o Studies Department at California State University Channel Islands at Camarillo, CA. His teaching and research focus broadly under Chicana/o cultural history with a focus on labor, immigration, gender, leisure, and sports. He is the author of Making Lemonade out of Lemons: Mexican American Labor and Leisure in a California Town (2006) and co-author of Latinos in U.S. Sport (2011). He recently published Deportes: The Making of a Sporting Mexican Diaspora for Rutgers University Press (2020) He is currently the co-chair of the H.S.I. Taskforce at CSU Channel Islands. 

Dr. Aswad Allen

Chief Diversity Officer
Office of Inclusive Excellence, 爆料社区

Dr. Aswad Allen is the Chief Diversity Officer at California State University San Marcos, where he leads the Office of Inclusive Excellence. With over 30 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Allen is a nationally recognized leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). His work centers on fostering inclusive environments that promote student success, institutional effectiveness, and social mobility, especially for historically marginalized populations.
 
At 爆料社区, Dr. Allen collaborates with university leadership, faculty, staff, and students to implement strategic, systemic, and sustainable DEI initiatives. His leadership philosophy is rooted in a 鈥減artner-leader鈥� approach, emphasizing collaboration and shared responsibility. He oversees a team of professional staff, faculty associates, and student assistants, and serves on the President鈥檚 Administrative Team, advising on key decisions that shape campus climate and equity efforts.
 
Before joining 爆料社区, Dr. Allen served as the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer at Emporia State University in Kansas, where he played a pivotal role in advancing inclusive excellence across campus and within the broader community. He also held the position of Assistant Dean of Diversity Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver, where he integrated DEI frameworks into academic and administrative strategies.
 
Dr. Allen holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration and a Master鈥檚 in Student Affairs in Higher Education Administration from Colorado State University. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder.
 
Dr. Allen鈥檚 commitment to equity is not only professional but deeply personal. He often acknowledges the legacy of those who have labored for institutional change and remains dedicated to amplifying traditionally marginalized voices in higher education.

Dr. D铆az-Almeyda

Assistant Professor of Biology
College of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (CSTEM), 爆料社区

Dr. D铆az-Almeyda is an Assistant Professor of Biology at California State University, San Marcos. In her microbial ecology lab, she investigates how climate change and rising sea temperatures affect symbiosis, and how anthropogenic stressors impact microbial diversity. As part of her research, she studies how environmentally friendly agroecological systems impact soil microbial diversity and function. Her work emphasizes traditional ecological practices, integrating local stakeholder perspectives, and collaborating with local communities to address the complexities of coastal ecosystems. As a Faculty Innovation Fellow at 爆料社区, she leads the Milpa Hub, a community-based initiative that promotes collaborations between farmers, seed savers, chefs and academics. She holds a B.S. in Biology and an MS. In Marine Biology from Universidad Nacional Aut贸noma de M茅xico. She completed her Ph.D. in Biology at The Pennsylvania State University. She was an NIH-FIRST fellow at Emory University.

Dr. Yolanda Cata帽o

Department of Education HSI-STEM & Articulation Program Grant Manager鈥�
CSU Chancellor鈥檚 Office 

Dr. Yolanda Cata帽o is a proud product of the California State University (CSU) system having earned her B.A. in Women鈥檚 Studies with a Minor in Theatre Arts and M.A. in Sociological Practice at CSU San Marcos and her doctorate from San Diego State University Educational Leadership Program, both federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Currently, Dr. Cata帽o serves as Grant Manager for the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 HSI-STEM and Articulation Program at the CSU Chancellor鈥檚 Office, where she works collaboratively with campuses to strengthen pathways for Latinx/茅 and low-income students in STEM fields. Her research and professional expertise focus on how identity, culture, and systemic practices intersect to impact Latinx/茅 students鈥� educational opportunities and outcomes. Her research agenda focuses on advancing and supporting students at the various identity intersections they hold. Her passion for HSIs is infused in the work that she does in and outside of academic spaces. 

Dr. Natacha Cesar Davis

Senior Director
Student Life Cycle, 爆料社区 

Dr. Natacha Cesar-Davis is a distinguished academic and seasoned practitioner, embodying a wealth of experience across diverse post-secondary roles on both the East and West coasts. Her unwavering commitment to student success is evident in her dynamic collaborations with faculty, staff, and administrators, fostering research-practice partnerships that amplify student learning and retention. Dr. Cesar-Davis has delved into the intricate dynamics of students' intersectional identities, illuminating the path to vocational identity development. Her research explores faculty pedagogies shaping student engagement, the pivotal role of services like financial aid in fostering student belonging, and how faculty life histories enrich students' navigational and social capital. Holding Bachelor's in Art History and History and Master's in Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College and a second Master's in Higher Education and Organizational Change and Ph.D. in Education from UCLA, she has worked as a full-time tenure track faculty at two community colleges, counselor and advisor at both public and private universities, Director of an HSI grant and most recently as Assistant Dean of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Black Life at UCLA's School of Education and Information Studies. Currently, she serves as the Inaugural Senior Director of the Student Life Cycle at California State University San Marcos, reporting to both the VP of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, overseeing the strategic planning and coordination of success and retention initiatives. Natacha was born in Argentina and spent her childhood in this country.

Dr. Viridiana Diaz

Vice President for Student Affairs
Student Affairs, 爆料社区  

Dr. Viridiana Diaz is the Vice President for Student Affairs at California State University San Marcos, bringing over 25 years of experience in higher education. A proud first-generation college graduate, she is deeply committed to advancing student success by closing opportunity gaps, fostering belonging, and promoting retention and graduation.Her leadership spans a wide range of student affairs areas, including enrollment management, student life, well-being, Title IX/DHR, and student conduct. At 爆料社区, she has led a division-wide reimagination initiative, launched a new 2025鈥�2030 strategic plan, and co-led the university鈥檚 strategic enrollment plan.Dr. Diaz holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy and multiple advanced degrees in communication, Latin American literature, and history. She is also a graduate of executive leadership programs at UC Berkeley, Stanford, and Harvard.

Dr. Kevin Ferreira van Leer

Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences
University of Connecticut

Kevin Ferreira van Leer, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Connecticut. As an action researcher, he examines the sociocultural and policy contexts that promote positive development and liberation for Latine immigrants and their families. Previous research includes working alongside Latine undergraduate co-researchers in examining student success and 鈥渟ervingness鈥� at a Hispanic-Serving Institution using photovoice and student-led surveys. Currently, he co-leads the CSU Hispanic-Serving Institution Action Research Network, a collaborative initiative to transform Latine student success across the CSU. Current research also includes investigating how structural factors, such as variation in social policy exclusions for immigrants, and the assets of immigrant communities, are associated with the wellbeing of immigrant families in the U.S.

A scholar-activist, Kevin has been sought out for supporting educational institutions in addressing the ways that policy and practice create and perpetuate inequity for people of color.  He is a co-author of Bringing Antiracism into Focus: Using Transformative Lenses to Reframe Professional Practice. His work has been funded by the Spencer Foundation, College Futures Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation and Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.   He received his Ph.D. in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College.

Dr. Frank Gomez

Executive Director, STEM-NET
CSU Chancellor鈥檚 Office 

Dr. Frank A. Gomez is the Executive Director of STEM-NET, a multicampus consortium, based at the California State University Chancellor鈥檚 Office where he leads STEM initiatives for the 22-campus system. Prior to this position he was Professor of Chemistry at Cal State LA since 1994. He received his BS and PhD in Chemistry from Cal State LA and UCLA, respectively and was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University. As Executive Director, he has been a part of collaborative grants securing over $56MM in funding for STEM and education-related projects. As a faculty member he has received over $21 million in research funding for his work in microfluidics, point-of-care diagnostics, and fuel cells. He has mentored over 140 students and postdocs, the majority from underrepresented groups, and has over 130 publications and two books. Gomez has given back to the community by serving on several non-profit boards, and in elected office as a member of the Montebello Unified School District Board of Education, the Montebello City Council and as Mayor. He is President of the Leo Buscaglia Foundation and is Chair of the Central Orange County Democratic Club.

Dr. Amber M. Gonzalez

Tenured Professor in the Child and Adolescent Development Program
California State University Sacramento

Amber M. Gonzalez, Ph.D. is a tenured Professor in the Child and Adolescent Development program at California State University, Sacramento. Using mixed methods and participatory action research, her scholarly activities focus on exploring the influence of social support networks and institutional structures on Latine college student identity development and educational and career aspirations, and motivations. In addition, she explores the ways in which students use their aspirations and motivations to ensure their success, manage failure, and persist. She has worked closely with educators, administrators, parents, community agencies, policy-makers, and experts to develop and implement qualitative and quantitative research projects covering a variety of topics related to education, health and human services, immigration, labor, and work force development.

She currently works with 8 CSU HSIs to explore ongoing HSI work on each campus, including specific policies, programs, and practices, to identify cross-campus best practices and their impact on the holistic success of Latine students and their communities. Her research has been funded by Sacramento State, The College Futures Foundation, and the Spencer Foundation. Her scholarly work has been published in the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, Journal of Educational Research, and College Student Journal. Questions about equity and the roles of institutional agents in supporting students鈥� holistic success that guide her research agenda also inform her pedagogy. Her teaching philosophy centers on helping students become critically aware of their own assumptions. Promoting an understanding that social forces shape the creation and use of knowledge is central to her philosophy of teaching because it helps students sharpen critical thinking skills to enable them to go beyond existing knowledge.

Dr. Gonzalez鈥� work is grounded in culturally responsive pedagogy, critical reflection, and a deep commitment to inclusive, equity-minded teaching practices. In addition to her scholarly and instructional activities, she serves as an academic advisor to students and faculty advisor to multiple student organizations. She also serves as an active member of the Faculty Senate and has led efforts in creating programming to support and retain faculty of color. Through her multiple roles on campus, she has collaborated with various university stakeholders to address inequities within campus policies, programming, and practices. Her institutional and community service and leadership activities center on advocating for equity and social justice for students and faculty of color.

Dr. Robert Gutierrez- Perez

Associate Professor of Communication & Media Studies
Department of Communication & Media Studies, 爆料社区

Robert Gutierrez-Perez (Ph.D., University of Denver) is an Associate Professor of Critical/Cultural Studies in Communication at California State University, San Marcos (爆料社区), a Hispanic-Serving Institution. His scholarship centers on decolonial and Indigenous theories and methodologies, focusing on how power operates in everyday life. His work actively engages with and elevates the knowledge systems of non-Western and subaltern communities.

Gutierrez-Perez is the author of "Joter铆a Communication Studies: Narrating Theories of Resistance." This book maps the communicative practices of nonheteronormative mestizas/os鈥攕uch as cuentos, pl谩ticas, chism茅, testimonio, mitos, and consejos鈥攁s a form of cultural knowledge and resistance. The book provides "theories in the flesh" that demonstrate how Joter铆a communities navigate difference and create spaces for queer of color world-making. His research is a testament to the power of performative and narrative inquiry as tools for emancipation.

A recognized scholar in queer of color and Latina/o/x communication, he has been published in numerous national and international journals. He is also the award-winning editor of the collection: "This Bridge We Call Communication: Anzald煤an Approaches to Theory, Method, and Praxis."  He is the editor of the Performance & Pedagogy series in Liminalities: A Journal of Performance Studies.

Leo Melena

Director of Student Success 
College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral, and Social Sciences, 爆料社区

Leo Melena serves as the Director of Student Success in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral, and Social Sciences, where he has dedicated more than 19 years to uplifting students and colleagues alike. A proud first-generation college graduate with immigrant roots, Leo understands firsthand the transformative power of higher education. He began his academic journey at Palomar Community College before transferring to the University of California, San Diego, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He later pursued his Master of Arts in Postsecondary Education Leadership at San Diego State University, a path inspired by his commitment to ensuring that students, especially those from historically marginalized communities, thrive in higher education. Leo鈥檚 work is guided by his belief that every student deserves the opportunity to realize their collegiate aspirations. In addition to his formal role, he has served as Chief Steward of the San Marcos Chapter of Academic Professionals of California, as President of the Latino Association of Faculty & Staff (2011鈥�2012), as an instructor for First-Year and University Programs (OUGS), and was awarded Employee of the Year (2023鈥�2024). 

Dr. Carmen Nava

Associate Dean of Curriculum, Academic Programs/Student Success
College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral, and Social Sciences, 爆料社区 

Carmen Nava is Associate Dean of Curriculum, Academic Programs and Students Success in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences at California State University San Marcos. Having graduated from California State University Northridge with a B.A in History, she earned her Ph. D in Latin American History at UCLA. She is Professor in the Department of History at California State University San Marcos. 

Dr. Ellen Neufeldt

President, California State University San Marcos

Since becoming the fourth president of California State University in July 2019, Dr. Ellen Neufeldt has focused on engaging, interacting, listening, and building relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni and community constituents. A champion of innovation and entrepreneurship, President Neufeldt oversaw the opening of 爆料社区鈥檚 Innovation Hub, an on-campus home for meeting societal needs, less than a year into her tenure in March 2020. But her commitment to innovation goes beyond a physical space, encompassing an entire ecosystem that includes a critical focus on social innovation. Dr. Neufeldt is also firmly committed to ensuring that Cal State San Marcos is a diverse, inclusive and welcome home for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Focusing throughout her career on student success and student social mobility, she cares deeply about being part of the solution to creating pathways for students to achieve their dreams.

Dr. Anne- Marie Nu帽ez

Distinguished Centennial Professor in Educational Leadership and Foundations
Executive Director of the Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic Student Success,
The University of Texas at El Paso

Anne-Marie N煤帽ez, Ph.D. is the inaugural Executive Director of the Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic Student Success and Distinguished Centennial Professor in Educational Leadership and Foundations at The University of Texas at El Paso. Her work employs sociological approaches to examine how to design organizations and systems to broaden postsecondary educational opportunities. She has published several studies on the higher education experiences and trajectories of Latine, first-generation, English Learner, working, and migrant students. As a national expert on Hispanic-Serving Institutions, her co-edited book Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Advancing Research and Transformative Practice, the first ever to focus on HSIs as organizations, won an International Latino Book Award. In her work to expand inclusive science approaches, she has led and collaborated on over $20 million of funded projects to advance educational effectiveness, experiential learning, and community engagement in computing and geoscience fields, particularly in Hispanic-Serving Institutions. An American Educational Research Association Fellow, she has also been recognized in Education Week鈥檚 Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings as among the top 200 scholars in the U.S. influencing educational practice and policy. In addition, she is an elected member of the National Academy of Education for her outstanding scholarship and leadership related to education.

Dr. Audrey Paredes

Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Administration
College of Education, Health, and Human Services, 爆料社区

Audrey D. Paredes, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of educational leadership and administration in the School of Education at California State University San Marcos (爆料社区) and a co-director of the UCSD鈥摫仙缜� Joint Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. The proud daughter of Guatemalan immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Paredes brings a deeply rooted practitioner-scholar perspective shaped by her lived experiences and background as a former college student affairs practitioner. Her interdisciplinary scholarship utilizes critical frameworks and approaches to examine how Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), particularly Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), can be leveraged as transformative spaces for systemically marginalized communities. Her current research centers the heterogeneity of the Latina/o/x college student population by exploring the lived experiences of Central American undergraduates at HSIs. Dr. Paredes is a member of the CSU HSI Action Research Network and the HSI Research Colectiva. Her recent work has been published in the Journal of Latinos in Education and the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education.  She earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in Education with a specialization in race and ethnic studies from UCLA and her B.A. in Gender, Ethnicity, and Multicultural Studies (with a concentration in Chicana/o Studies) from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Dr. Erik Ramirez

Director of Initiatives & Partnerships
Student Affairs, 爆料社区

Dr. Ramirez joined Cal State San Marcos in April 2024 and leads high-impact initiatives that advance student success, strengthen institutional capacity, and further the university鈥檚 mission as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. He manages a federal grant focused on Latinx and first-generation student achievement, coordinates the annual HSI Summit, and serves as one of the campus leads for the Seal of Excelencia鈥攁 national recognition for institutions that intentionally serve Latinx students.
 
His portfolio also includes building cross-divisional and community partnerships, guiding divisional projects such as the Student Affairs Strategic Plan, and leading efforts that expand resources and support for immigration-impacted communities.
 
Grounded in his background as an immigrant and first-generation college graduate, Dr. Ramirez approaches his work with a deep commitment to equity, belonging, and social mobility, centering students and the diverse communities they represent.

Mar铆a Venegas Escobedo

Director, College Assistance Migrant Program
Activities Director, Pumas Prosperos (DHSI Grant)
Student Affairs, 爆料社区

Mar铆a Venegas Escobedo is the Director of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at California State University San Marcos, where she leads initiatives that expand access, retention, and degree attainment for underrepresented students. She also serves as Activities Director for 爆料社区鈥檚 Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Grant, Pumas Prosperos. A bilingual, bicultural leader, Mar铆a is recognized for her strengths in strategic program development, culturally responsive practices, and building cross-campus and community partnerships that foster student belonging and achievement for all students. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, she has directed multiple federally funded programs, authored successful multimillion-dollar grants, and launched signature initiatives at 爆料社区. Her commitment to higher education is rooted in her lived experience of having her life transformed through education, fueling her passion to create the same opportunities for all students. Mar铆a is a proud, Mexican-American, first-generation 爆料社区 alumna, earning her B.A. in Human Development and her M.A. in Postsecondary Educational Leadership from San Diego State University.

Arely Villalobos Ayala

Administrative Support Coordinator
Kellogg Library, 爆料社区  

Arely Villalobos Ayala is a proud graduate of California State University San Marcos, where she earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Criminal Justice Studies and Sociology. She currently serves in the 爆料社区 Library as an Administrative Support Coordinator, where she focuses on facilities and personnel strategy. Arely is also pursuing dual master鈥檚 degrees in Public Administration and Latin American Studies blending policy and cultural studies to create systemic change. Her research explores educational inequities and centers the voices of immigrants, with a particular focus on breaking down bureaucracies of the education system. Guided by her passion for social justice, equity, and access to higher education, Arely  would like to help build a future where access and representation in education are not the exception, but the rule.