Speaker Information

Website: https://diversity.oregonstate.edu/meet-oid-staff

Teresita Alvarez-Cortez currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Diversity Initiatives at Oregon State University.  

With over 19 years of experience working to advance diversity and equity in higher education, Teresita is passionate about creating equitable university experiences for all students and employees to thrive. Previous to joining the Office of Institutional Diversity, Teresita was the Director of Diversity Initiatives and Programs in University Housing & Dining Services, where she served on the department leadership team until 2021. 

Teresita activates her institutional leadership to advance equity through partnerships, education and planning. As a trusted consultant, she is most sought out for her equity expertise in facilitation and education, bias intervention, organizational change leadership, physical infrastructures, crisis response and community development.  She has previously led efforts in student life, multicultural affairs, housing and dining and outreach programs, within community college and university settings.  

As a first-generation student, Teresita earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Chicano Studies at the University of California at Berkeley, and continued to earn her Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University. Teresita is originally from Carson, California, and is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. She now makes her home in Corvallis, Oregon with her husband Marcos and daughter Mayeli. 

Faculty Page: https://bse.berkeley.edu/rebecca-cheung 

Rebecca Cheung is the Assistant Dean of the Berkeley School of Education's Leadership Development programs, including the Principal Leadership Institute and LEAD EdD. Dr. Cheung serves as the Principal Investigator and Director for the 21st Century School Leadership Academy (21CSLA) State Center. Funded by the California Department of Education, 21CSLA is dedicated to the professional learning and support of California’s educational leaders—teacher, site, and district—to create more equitable learning environments that ultimately improve success for underserved students. Headquartered at UC Berkeley's School of Education, it is led in partnership with UCLA School of Education, the California Subject Matter Projects and seven Regional Academies across the state.

Dr. Cheung’s research focuses on issues of leadership preparation and development, especially related to increasing capacity to lead for equity and social justice that results in creating more inclusive and effective schooling. She also investigates how systems and policies can nurture and increase educator diversity. Her research collaborators include WestEd and the Learning Policy Institute. She has served as a consultant to institutes of higher education, international investments in leader preparation and professional learning, as well as school districts.

Prior to joining UC Berkeley in 2011, Rebecca worked for more than 15 years in Oakland Unified School District and Berkeley Unified School District as a teacher, vice principal, elementary principal and middle school principal, and Director of Evaluation and Assessment. In 2024, she was awarded the UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Award for Advancing Institutional Excellence and Equity based on her scholarship, leadership instruction, public engagement, and broad impact on Berkeley School of Education students, and education across California and beyond.

Organization Page: https://westhillscollege.com/news/posts/2024-new-chancellor.php 

Graduated from the Fresno State Ed.D. Program in 2018. 

Dr. Pimentel brings a wealth of experience in higher education and a deep commitment to student success. With an impressive academic leadership and community engagement background, he is poised to lead WHCCD into a new era of excellence and innovation. A valley native, Dr. Robert Pimentel has dedicated his entire career to serving the Central Valley community. For the past two years, he has been the President of Fresno City College, the largest community college in the region. Before this role, he served as the same institution's Vice President of Educational Services and Institutional Effectiveness. Before joining Fresno City College, Dr. Pimentel spent nearly 18 years with the West Hills Community College District, working in various capacities at both campuses and the district office.

Organization Page: https://www.madera.k12.ca.us/Page/15508 

Graduated from the Fresno State Ed.D. Program in 2023. 

My name is Laura Quiroz, and I joined John Adams after serving as Dean of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at Madera Technical Exploration Center, as a District Academic Coach in Madera Unified, and as an English teacher. I firmly believe that education is a collaborative effort involving parents, teachers, students, and the community. I am committed to fostering open communication and strong partnerships to ensure the success of our students. 

Organization Page: https://west.edtrust.org/team/erica-silva/ 

Erica S. Silva, Ed.D., is a Program Manager on the Quality Schools and Districts Team at WestEd, a nonpartisan research and service agency focused on achieving equitable learning outcomes for students across the country.

She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at USC Rossier School of Education. Prior to joining WestEd, Erica was the Associate Director of K-12 Programs at the USC Race and Equity Center, where she led professional learning experiences that empowered educators to advance racial equity within their organizations.

Erica began her career in education as a teacher and instructional specialist, working with educators on district-wide curriculum implementation, assessment development, technology integration and culturally responsive pedagogy.

She is a member of the Education Trust West's Educator Advisory Council and the K12 DE&I Advisory Board for Penguin Random House Education.