Our Team

Program Team

Rudy Amaya

Director

Amaya is a fourth year student at the University of La Verne studying Social Justice in Education. He is dedicated to empowering children and youth and strives for educational equity. Focused on supporting historically marginalized communities by understanding the perpetuated forms of oppression, Amaya seeks to develop a community of critical leaders.

Deborah Gonzalez

Program Coordinator

Gonzalez is a fourth year student at the University of La Verne studying Speech Communication and Political Science. She is determined to empower individuals who are affect by domestic violence as she aims to become an Intervention Counselor.

Lesly Fuentes

Finance Coordinator

Fuentes is a fourth year student at the University of La Verne studying Economics and Spanish. Fuentes is dedicated to assisting students in creating a well-rounded college experience through student empowerment, professional development and academic guidance. Her experiences have propelled her to ensure equitable representation for marginalized students in arenas where their voices must be heard.

Kimberly Gonzalez

Administrative Coordinator

Gonzalez is a fourth year honors student at the University of La Verne studying Philosophy. She is determined to empower the family unit in further developing themselves in all aspects of their lives. Gonzalez has experience in peer mentoring, tutoring, and curriculum development. After receiving her B.A. in philosophy, she plans to work towards earning her Masters in Education, and giving back to her community through advocacy for educational equity.

Daniela Lemus

Internal Affairs Coordinator

Lemus is a first year student at the University of La Verne studying Political Science and Education. She aspires to obtain her teaching credentials and attend graduate school for a Masters in Political Science. She is committed to education and desires to become a professor in Political Science that critically seeks an inclusive society. Her extracurricular activities such as Track and Field, Director of Programming for First Generation Club and Public Relations for the Multicultural Council have allowed her to reach out to her community and better understand the needs present.

Yulvi Reyes

Spanish Translator

Reyes is a second year student at the University of La Verne studying Spanish and Educational Studies. She has dedicated herself to working with at-risk youth from under-served and underrepresented regions both in Mexico and in the States. Her purpose is to provide a support system for youth and their families, and to ensure their success within the educational system.

Reiko Fujimoto

Public Relations Coordinator

Fujimoto is a second year student at the University of La Verne studying Biology and Psychology. She aims to get into Medical School after her undergraduate studies in hopes of becoming a Psychiatrist. She is dedicated to supporting individuals through her field of studies. Her extra-curriculum activities, such as Cross County, Track, and the Her Campus La Verne Chapter have allowed her to grow in her values of teamwork and the concept of self-awareness.

advisory committee

Issac M. Carter, Ph.D.

Advisor

Dr. Carter is an Assistant Professor and Chair for the M.A. Social Justice Higher Education Administration at the University of La Verne. Over the years he has focused on the intersections of knowledge production, intersectional identity constructs, Black cosmology and musicking, social consciousness and community action. His work explores a wide range of theory and methods from a variety of fields of inquiry and forms of political action.

Veronica Escoffery-Runnels, Ed.D.

Advisor

Dr. Escoffery-Runnels is an Assistant Professor for the LaFetra College of Education at the University of La Verne. With work centered around addressing issues of psycho-educational assessment and advocacy in special education for youth, Dr. Escoffery-Runnels has gained years of experience in the PK-12 educational system. Her research interests include pre-service training of school psychologists working with minoritized populations, cross-discipline collaboration, and parental empowerment in the acquisition and use of social/cultural capital.

Adonay A. Montes, Ph.D.

Advisor

Dr. Montes is an Assistant Professor, Chair of the M.S. in Educational Counseling and Director of the Spanish Bilingual Bicultural Concentration at the University of La Verne. Prior to joining the faculty, He worked as an elementary school teacher, middle and high school counselor. His research agenda encompasses working with diverse populations, counselor leadership, bridging school and community ties, immigrant and youth development of possible selves, parent education, community and civic engagement, and critical pedagogy.

Zandra Wagoner, Ph.D.

Advisor

Dr. Wagoner is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Religion and the University of La Verne Chaplain. She directs the multi-religious Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, furthering the University’s commitment to diversity, community engagement, ethical reasoning, and the development of the whole person. Dr. Wagoner also teaches introductory courses in religion and specialized courses in the areas of gender/sexuality, contemporary theology, interfaith cooperation, and the environment/animals in the study of religion.

Misty Levingston

Advisor

Levingston is the Assistant Director for the Center for Multicultural Services at the University of La Verne. She holds a M.A. in Education Counseling and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from CSU San Bernardino. Her studies focus on the educational pathways of early Black, single mothers who are perusing advance degrees. During her fifteen years in students affairs she has been student centered, and driven to ensure that all students are served, particularly the traditionally marginalized populations.

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