Community, Access, and Professional Pathways Division

Welcome to the Community, Access & Professional Pathways Division.

It is both an honor and a responsibility to serve in this important space within NASPA. The Community, Access & Professional Pathways (CAPP) Division is committed to elevating issues of access, belonging, and professional sustainability across NASPA and the broader field of student affairs. Our work centers on advancing equitable practices that support both students and student affairs professionals, ensuring that pathways into, through, and beyond our profession are intentional, inclusive, and sustainable. 

Aligned with NASPA’s strategic plan, the division works to analyze data, assess the evolving needs of our members, and promote learning and professional growth initiatives that strengthen advocacy and leadership across the Association. Through meaningful collaboration with volunteers, constituent groups, and NASPA staff, we strive to inform, connect, and advance our collective work, cultivating a professional community where belonging is prioritized and access to opportunity is expanded for all members.

My journey with NASPA began in 2009, and the association has played a defining role in my professional development and leadership. Much of my engagement has been rooted in Knowledge Communities and Region VI, where I have had the privilege of serving in multiple leadership capacities within the Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community, including as Region VI Representative, Virtual Learning Engagement Coordinator, and as Co-Chair. These roles allowed me to support regional engagement efforts, expand professional development opportunities, strengthen member communication, and cultivate spaces where culturally responsive leadership and scholarship could thrive, while centering and creating community among Latinx/a/os across the association. 

Through this work, I have witnessed firsthand the power of NASPA’s regional and knowledge community structures to build authentic professional networks, mentor emerging leaders, and create meaningful pathways into national leadership. Prior to this appointment, I served as the Partnerships Coordinator for the Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Division. 

Professionally, I serve as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Equity & Inclusion at California State University, Northridge. In this role, I firmly believe in advancing access and equity through Inclusive Excellence, championing our collective efforts at CSUN as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Seal of Excelencia Certified institution, and a recently designated California Black-Serving Institution. These designations are not simply titles; they represent an institutional commitment to closing equity gaps, strengthening belonging, and ensuring that historically underserved students thrive, which are aligned with my core values.  

At the heart of my leadership is a deep commitment to student success and to caring for and supporting the professionals within our Student Affairs division who make that success possible. I believe that when we invest in our people, cultivating inclusive environments, sustainable professional pathways, and equity-driven practices, we strengthen not only our institutions, but our collective impact across the field of student affairs.

I look forward to building that impact together through the Community, Access & Professional Pathways Division.