Registration and Continental Breakfast

On-site registration will open at 8:30 am.

Welcome & Keynote Address

Welcome:
Moya Carter
NASPA Region VI SoCal Exec Board Co-Chair

Dr. Jen Miller
NASPA Region VI SoCal Exec Board Co-Chair

Keynote:
Dr. Lea M. Jarnagin
Vice President for Student Affairs, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
NASPA Region VI Emerging Topics Consultant

Dr. Lea M. Jarnagin is in her first year as the Vice President for Student Affairs at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and her 22nd year as a professional in higher education/student affairs. As Vice President, she is responsible for overseeing a Division that promotes student learning and success while fostering an inclusive and vibrant campus community at a diverse institution with an enrollment of 24,000.

Dr. Jarnagin provides leadership and direction for the areas of student services, student retention, student wellness, student engagement, Associated Students, Inc. and Intercollegiate Athletics. Prior to joining Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Jarnagin served as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at California State University, Fullerton where she previously served as Dean of Students, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs, Associate Dean of New Student & Parent Programs and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the College of the Arts. Prior to joining Cal State Fullerton, she served at California State University, San Marcos.

Dr. Jarnagin is actively engaged in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. She received an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of California, Los Angeles, a Master of Counseling from California State University, Long Beach and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State University, San Marcos.

Breakout Sessions

Breakout Sessions

Session 1A: Keynote Follow-up Q & A: Dr. Jarnagin [Bldg. 162 Rm. 1001]

Session 1B: Deciphering Positions Descriptions: Dr. Christopher Lenz [Bldg. 163 Rm. 1015]

Session Description: The position description is a crucial element of your professional life, from deciding whether or not to apply to a job, to customizing your resume, prepping for the interview, and guiding your work and achieving success once in the position. This session will explore the sometimes arcane world of position descriptions, and provide some straightforward techniques to decipher and use them effectively.

Session 1C: Institutional Fit: Dr. Joy Hoffman [Bldg. 163 Rm. 1029]

Session Description: Prior to serving at CSUF, which is a large public university, Joy worked at two faith-based, private, liberal arts colleges and one secular, private, liberal arts college. Joy believes institutional fit is important while understanding that no institution is perfect. This presentation will engage participants in self-exploration of their own values and what they are willing and not willing to compromise.  

Breakout Sessions

Breakout Sessions

Session 2A: Resume Review [Bldg. 163 Rm. 1004] and Mock Interviews [Bldg. 163 Rm. 2004]

Session 2B: Arrivals and Departures: Thriving in Institutional Transitions: Dr. Kandy Mink-Salas [Bldg. 163 Rm. 2005]

Session Description: Over the course of your career, you will leave positions and begin new ones numerous times.  In this session we will discuss productive ways to leave a campus in a healthy way, and how to begin a new job positioned for success.

Session 2C: THINK DIFFERENT: Developing Your Personal Brand:  Leigh Poirier [Bldg. 163 Rm. 1015]

Session Description: You may not be Disney or Google, but you are your own brand. The question is no longer IF you have a personal brand, but if you choose to guide and cultivate the brand or let it be defined on your behalf. Whether you are embarking on your first professional job search, exploring a new career, or moving up the ladder, your brand is a critical part of your career journey. During this interactive session, you will explore and define your personal brand and plan next steps to “Just Do It” with your next search.

Lunch

For information about food options and vendors, please visit http://asi.cpp.edu/services/bronco-student-center/food-court/

Breakout Sessions

Breakout Sessions

Session 3A: Resume Review [Bldg. 163 Rm. 1004] and Mock Interviews [Bldg. 163 Rm. 2004]

Session 3B: Selecting & Navigating Graduate Programs: Dr. Piya Bose, Dr. Cecilia Santiago-Gonzalez, Dr. Lorena Marquez, Dr. James Smith, Dr. Erica Sherese Little [Bldg. 163 Rm. 2005]

Session Description: Selecting and navigating a graduate program can be hard, but it is also a realistic goal that can be achieved! Join our panelists who have completed doctoral degrees from 5 different institutions in SoCal including – USC, CSU Fullerton, UCLA, Pepperdine, and Claremont Graduate University. Panelists will share their individual journey, touching upon struggles, achievements, tips & tricks, and more. If you’re currently in a program or are considering applying – this is a great chance to ask questions, learn about different programs, and learn more about finding the right fit for you individually.  

Session 3C: Millennial Tips for Navigating Employment Expectations: Danielle Chambers, Dr. Diane LeGree, Dr. Jen Miller, Aristotle Mosier [Bldg. 162 Rm. 1001]

Session Description: Research suggests that millennials want to learn from their supervisors, receive daily feedback, love to work in teams and have a positive personal self-image. This session will provide tips for Millennials to successfully advocate for their needs in higher education settings and work effectively with their managers and teams.

Breakout Sessions

Breakout Sessions

Session 4A: Resume Review [Bldg. 163 Rm. 1004] and Mock Interviews [Bldg. 163 Rm. 2004]

Session 4B: Community College/4 Year Transitions: Dr. Yolanda Friday, Dr. Michael Paul-Wong, Dawn Valencia [Bldg. 163 Rm. 1029]

Session description: Student Affairs Professionals are doing amazing work in both four year colleges and universities and community colleges. There are clear advantages and disadvantages to working in both sectors of higher education, depending on your professional perspective and values. In this presentation, three student affairs professionals who have made the transition between sectors will reflect on their experiences and offer suggestions for skillfully making the leap in one direction or another.

Session 4C: Mid-level Manager: More Power Than You Think: Angelica Ibarra [Bldg. 163 Rm. 1015]

Session description: Serving as a mid-level manager includes much power and influence with students, faculty and administrators alike. Come learn about the advantages in the position and hear key strategies to navigate all sides of the house.  Workshop targeted to varying levels of rising professionals as it's geared to propel you to the next step in your career. 

Panel Session and Wrap-Up

Tips for Networking Panel Session

Conference Wrap-Up: NASPA Region VI SoCal Executive Board Members 

Networking Social

NASPA GAP Volunteers

3650 W Temple Ave, Pomona, CA 91768

EXECUTIVE BOARD CHAIR:
Moya Carter

Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students

Moya had her first introduction to student affairs as an undergraduate at Azusa Pacific University. Involved in both the music and student leadership programs, she found her passion for working with college students while working with the orientation program and as a resident assistant. Moya continued to find ways to stay connected with students while she completed a masters of education in college student affairs , then went on to be a residence director for freshman girls in San Diego, California. Moya is currently pursuing her Ph.D in higher education at Claremont Graduate University.

Moya had the opportunity to join the Office of Student Affairs staff at Pitzer College ten years ago and characterizes her job as a generalist. She is the first to admit that she has the best job in the world. She works primarily within the campus life umbrella: residential life and housing and the new student mentor program. She is also one of the primary judicial officers, works with Judicial Council and is a certified sexual assault counselor. She represents the Office of Student Affairs on the Diversity Committee and serves on the Staff Council Representative (SCR) committee.

EXECUTIVE BOARD CHAIR:
Dr. Jennifer Miller

Dean of Students

Jen Miller currently serves as the Dean of Students at California State University, Los Angeles. In her roles, she promotes student development and engagement opportunities as well as provides leadership for various departments including the Center for Student Involvement, Office for Students with Disabilities, Student Health Center, Student Conduct and the Career Development Center. Miller came to Cal State LA from CSU Channel Islands (CI), where she was the Director of Student Affairs Assessment, Research and Staff Development. While at CI, she led the Assessment Council for the Division of Student Affairs and designed and implemented the Professional Staff Training Program. Prior to her tenure at CI, she served as the Director of the WELL (Wellbeing, Empowerment, Life, Learning) Office at UC Riverside and oversaw residence education programs and initiatives at the University of Michigan. Miller holds a Ph.D. in education from Claremont Graduate University, an MA from the University of Michigan, and a BS from Oberlin College. She currently serves as a National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASPA) National Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP) Board Member and Region VI Board Member.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER:
Dr. Kristina Alvarado

Director of Student Success Initiatives

Kristina Alvarado, Ph.D. serves as Director of Student Success Initiatives.  Kristina has served in leadership capacities directing academic support centers at Whittier College and the University of Southern California. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Rossier School of Education at USC. She earned her B.A. in Sociology at California Polytechnic University, M.Ed. in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs at the University of Southern California, and her Ph.D. in Higher Education at Claremont Graduate University. Kristina is passionate about developing programs and services that foster academic and personal success for students in higher education.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER:
Danielle Chambers

Associate Director of the Educational Opportunity Program

Danielle Chambers, is the Associate Director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), at Cal State LA, where she directs and assists with various programs under the EOP umbrella.  A graduate from the University of Southern California (USC), and California State University, Fullerton, Danielle holds a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Public Relations and a Master’s of Science Degree, in Higher Education.  Danielle commenced her professional journey at Los Angeles Southwest College, as well as California State University, Dominguez Hills.  Some of her accomplishments include co-authoring the Toro Guardian Scholars and the TRIO Student Support Services grants at CSUDH. Recently, she secured $150,000 in funding for the Cal State LA Guardian Scholars Program. She is affiliated with Women in Philanthropy Mentoring Program in the city of Carson, CA and she is a board member of the Southern California Higher Education Foster Youth Consortium. She will soon begin a doctoral program with a focus in Educational Leadership.  You can contact Danielle at [email protected]

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER:
Dr. Martha Enciso 

Associate Director of the Weber Honors College

As Associate Director of the Weber Honors College at San Diego State University, Dr. Martha Enciso assists in recruiting underrepresented students, mentoring, teaching, and in scholar development in high impact practices. Dr. Enciso has experience working in cultural centers, international education, national and international fellowships/scholarships, student retention, first generation student as well as diversity initiatives.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER:
Dr. Kevin Colaner

Associate Vice President for Student Services

With over 25 years of professional experience in student affairs administration, Dr. Colaner currently serves California State Polytechnic University, Pomona as Associate Vice President for Student Services where he oversees Student Health and Counseling Services, the Career Center, the Disability Resource Center, Student Support and Equity Programs, and Orientation Services.  In addition, he is an adjunct associate professor for the Master’s program in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs at the University of Southern California.  Dr. Colaner’s service to the student affairs profession includes leadership both regionally and nationally in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.   As a result of his outgoing and collaborative management style, he has been profiled in The G Quotient: Why gay executives are excelling as leaders... and what all managers need to know, released by Jossy-Bass publishing.   He is a contributing author in the recently published, Identity and Leadership: Informing Our Lives, Informing Our Practice. His commitment to diversity and inclusion was recognized by the Cal Poly Pomona community as he was selected as a 2014 Diversity Champion.

Prior to his arrival at Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Colaner served as the Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management and Student Services at the Rossier School of Education and as the Executive Director for Recruiting and Admissions at the School of Policy, Planning, and Development at USC.  He has also worked for many years at California State University, Fullerton, where he served as an Assistant Dean in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and as the Director of Honors and Scholars Support Services.  Kevin was instrumental in revising the Honors Program, creating the Honors and Scholars Center, and was one of the original founders of their much acclaimed Guardian Scholars Program.  In recognition of his contributions and dedication to CSUF he was selected as the “The 1999 Employee of the Year.”   Dr. Colaner earned his Doctor of Education Degree from the University of Southern California and a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Services from Miami University after graduating Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER:
Dr. Diane LeGree 

Dean of Student Affairs of Sixth College

Diane LeGree serves as the Dean of Student Affairs of Sixth College at UC San Diego.  Diane has worked in Student Affairs for over 20 years at public institutions of higher education in California.  Some of her responsibilities have included residential life, orientation and first year programs, campus activities, student life and leadership, student organizations, student conduct, and student crisis management.  She received her Ph.D. in Education from Claremont Graduate University, where her research focused on the ways in which first generation students’ college aspirations were influenced by siblings or extended family who attended college.  Outside of work, she enjoys musical theater, concerts, traveling to visit family, spinning, and long walks/runs by the ocean.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER:
Kirk Bernal

Area Director for the University Village

Kirk Bernal is currently serving as an Area Director for the University Village operated by Cal Poly Pomona's Foundation.  In his role at the Village, Kirk is working on reorganizing the Living Learning Communities to emphasize the connection between campus and the public-private partnership of the Foundation.  He is an undergraduate alumnus of Cal Poly Pomona and is excited to be back in the community.  Kirk previously served in residence life at Pomona College and Pitzer College in Claremont.  Kirk holds an M.S. in College Counseling and Student Development from Azusa Pacific University.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER:
Jean Bennett

Director, Graduate Student Affairs, Henry Samueli School of Engineering

Jean Bennett, M.Ed. is currently serving as the Director of Engineering Graduate Student Affairs at UC Irvine. In her role as Director, Jean serves current and prospective graduate students within the Samueli School of Engineering. She also handles administration of graduate-related issues under the Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Studies. Jean has worked at UC Irvine, where she also earned her B.A. degrees, for over 6 years. Jean holds a Master of Education in Student Affairs from UC Los Angeles.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER:
Genesis DeLong

Interim Director of Associated Students, Incorporated

Genesis DeLong is currently serving as Interim Director of Associated Students, Inc. at California State University, Channel Islands. She holds an M.Ed. in Higher Education and a graduate certificate in Conflict Resolution from Abilene Christian University and a B.A. in Communication from Lee University.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER:
Dr. Yolanda Cleveland Friday

Interim Dean, Fontana Campus

Dr. Yolanda Cleveland Friday has worked in higher education for over 20 years in every post-secondary sector in California.  She has served as an Associate Director of Admission at Scripps College, an Associate Director of Admission at UC Riverside, Director of Outreach and School Relations at Cal Poly Pomona, and the Director of the Transfer and Career Centers at Chaffey College. She is currently the Interim Dean of the Chaffey College Fontana campus. Dr. Friday holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics from Pomona College, a Master of Public Administration from CSU San Bernardino and a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Urban Leadership from Claremont Graduate University.  Her research focuses on mentorship and sponsorship in the workplace for women working in higher education.  She has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Redlands, Instructor for the UCLA College Counseling Certificate program, as a member of the Kellogg Legacy Grant Diversity Initiatives Committee at Cal Poly Pomona, Chair of the Western Region for Guidance and Admission for the College Board, as Vice President/President Elect of the UCR staff assembly, and was a scholarship recipient for the Spelman and Johnson Group Women’s Leadership Institute.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER:
Dr. Piya Bose

Director of Graduate & Family Housing

Dr. Piya Bose is the Director of Graduate & Family Housing at UC Irvine. Dr. Bose has spent her professional career working in college student housing with undergraduates and graduate students at Humboldt State University, Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona College, and now UC Irvine. Additionally, she has spent time teaching leadership courses and first year success courses at most of these campuses. While working in college housing, Dr. Bose has also dedicated time on every campus to supporting the success of underrepresenting students, particularly first-generation, low-income, students of color, through partnerships, trainings, policy development, and program implementation.

In 2009, Dr. Bose received the Rookie of the Year award at Cal Poly Pomona, followed by the Women for Change Award in 2010. In 2010, she also received the Equity & Diversity Awareness Award from WACUHO. Most recently in 2015, Dr. Bose was part of a team that received the NASPA Innovative Program Award for a programmatic series involving dialogues on cultures and identities.

Dr. Bose completed her bachelor’s degree at Vassar College in New York, studying Science, Technology, & Society, with a minor in French. She holds a masters of arts in education from Humboldt State University. She received her Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University in Student Affairs and Higher Education Administration. 

Dr. Bose’s passion for education stems from knowing that education has the ability to change lives, communities, and ultimately, the world.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER:
Dr. Michael Paul Wong

Dean of Student Services (Counseling)

Dr. Michael Paul Wong is the Dean of Student Services (Counseling) at Moreno Valley College. He has worked in Student Affairs over the last 25 years in all three sectors of public higher education in California, in most areas of student affairs. He has worked at UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz, Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Fullerton, and at San Diego City College and Moreno Valley College. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from UC Irvine, a Master of Education in Higher Education Student Affairs Administration from The University of Vermont, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Policy and Organization from the University of Southern California.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER:
Michael Yepez

Graduate Student - Higher Education

Michael is currently a graduate student within the Master’s degree in Higher Education at CSU Fullerton. He currently serves as the Graduate Student Assistant at the Chicana & Chicano Resource Center on campus. Michael's research interests include looking at the framing of the brown body, Latino men retention, Machismo, and increasing the retention support across the educational systems.

KEYNOTE:
Dr. Lea M. Jarnagin

Vice President for Student Affairs

Dr. Lea M. Jarnagin is in her first year as the Vice President for Student Affairs at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and her 22nd year as a professional in higher education/student affairs. As Vice President, she is responsible for overseeing a Division that promotes student learning and success while fostering an inclusive and vibrant campus community at a diverse institution with an enrollment of 24,000.

Dr. Jarnagin provides leadership and direction for the areas of student services, student retention, student wellness, student engagement, Associated Students, Inc. and Intercollegiate Athletics. Prior to joining Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Jarnagin served as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at California State University, Fullerton where she previously served as Dean of Students, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs, Associate Dean of New Student & Parent Programs and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the College of the Arts. Prior to joining Cal State Fullerton, she served at California State University, San Marcos.

Dr. Jarnagin is actively engaged in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. She received an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of California, Los Angeles, a Master of Counseling from California State University, Long Beach and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State University, San Marcos.

PRESENTER:
Angelica Ibarra

Assistant Dean of Institutional Diversity

Angelica Ibarra currently serves as the coordinator for the César E. Chávez Center for Higher Education at Cal Poly Pomona.  In this role, she is responsible for implementing student support programs for the Xicano/Latino community and for coordinating campus wide programs for the student community at-large.

Prior to Cal Poly Pomona, Angelica spent more than ten years at Harvey Mudd College, where she served as assistant dean for institutional diversity. In this role she developed and lead programs for the multifaceted social justice education center, which serves to raise awareness and empowers students, staff and faculty to serve as allies in multiple communities.

Angelica’s leadership roles included her work with Mudders Mentoring Mudders, which is focused on mentoring to increase student retention and boost students’ overall well-being. One of her most recent collaborative projects across the Claremont Colleges was focused on engaging bystanders and empowering them to intervene and reduce power-based personal violence. Other leadership roles includes work with the Claremont Long Beach Math Collaborative, which was aimed at leadership development and improvement of math skills for African American boys.  She provides knowledge in a wide breadth of fields associated with student affairs. Through her various positions in the Harvey Mudd dean of students office for 10 years, and during her 12 years at the California Institute of Technology, she has worked on a multitude of projects ranging from Orientation and Sophomore Retreat to National Coming Out Day and Commencement. Angelica is particularly passionate about working with underrepresented students in STEM. Angelica holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration and management from the University of Redlands.

PRESENTER:
Dr. Joy Hoffman

Director of Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers

Dr. Joy Hoffman serves as the Director of Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). She oversees the African American Resource Center, Asian Pacific American Resource Center, Chicana & Chicano Resource Center, Titan Dreamers Resource Center, and LGBT Queer Resource Center. She is also responsible for diversity initiatives on campus, including trainings, workshops, campus climate evaluation, contributing to conversations around policies and processes, and bias response. Her 23-year career includes working at four different institutions. Prior to serving at CSUF, which is a large public university, she worked at two faith-based, private, liberal arts colleges and one secular, private, liberal arts college. Joy believes institutional fit is important while understanding that no institution is perfect. This presentation will engage participants in self-exploration of their own values and what they are willing and not willing to compromise.

PRESENTER:
Dawn Valencia

Director, University Outreach and School Relation

Dawn Valencia is the Director of Outreach and School Relations at Cal Poly Pomona. She has worked in the three public sectors of higher education in California including 16+ years in the University of California system, over a decade at Cal State Fullerton where she served as the Director of University Outreach, and two years as the Dean of Enrollment Services  at Riverside City College. In her career as a hiring manager, she has reviewed hundreds of résumés and has interviewed well over a hundred candidates for positions ranging from administrative support through and including management level positions.

PRESENTER:
Dr. James C. Smith

Director for Engagement and Development with Residential Life

Dr. James C. Smith is currently the Director for Engagement and Development with Residential Life at the University of California, Riverside.  In this role, he has direct oversight of the student programming and academic initiatives for the department.  His portfolio also includes training & development, staff recruitment, student success, and large scale events.  Prior to this position, he was an Associate Director for residence life at UCR where oversaw the campus apartment and family housing communities as well as department budget development and planning.  James has also worked in other student affairs positions at the University of California, Santa Cruz and University of the Pacific.

Dr. Smith earned an Ed.D. from UCLA where his research focused on LGB-identified student affairs professionals and their personal perspectives on career trajectory. He also holds a M.A. in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University and a B.S. in Telecommunications/Film from Eastern Michigan University.

PRESENTER:
Dr. Kandy Mink Salas

Program Director for the Masters Program in Student Affairs

Dr. Kandy Mink Salas has served as a university student affairs professional working in the areas of student affairs administration, student retention services, and leadership training and development, and as a faculty member in Educational Leadership/Higher Education, teaching master’s and doctoral level courses in Student Affairs Administration, Student Development, Fieldwork, and Dissertation Study.

She is currently a faculty member at Azusa Pacific University where she also serves as the program director for the masters program in Student Affairs. Previously, she served as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students, and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, all at CSUF. Previous roles also include Associate Director of Student Life at CSUF, and Assistant Director of Student Activities at the University of San Diego.

Dr. Mink Salas received her B.A. in English with a specialization in Women's Studies from UCLA, her M.S. in Counseling and Human Development from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, and her Ph.D. in Education from Claremont Graduate University. Her research focus is on women in leadership, serving undocumented students on campus, and leadership practices of undocumented college students.

PRESENTER:
Dr. Lorena Márquez

PolyTransfer Coordinator in the Division of Academic Affairs

Dr. Lorena Márquez has worked on the campus of Cal Poly Pomona for over 15 years in multiple roles. In June 2016, she began her new role as PolyTransfer Coordinator in the Division of Academic Affairs, where she will help develop a Transfer Sending and Transfer Receptive culture.  She is currently finishing her dissertation titled, Cultivating Latino Student Success through Parental Engagement in Higher Education.

The 2015-16 year marked her sixth and final year at the César E. Chávez Center for Higher Education at Cal Poly Pomona. In her role, Lorena led and guided the [email protected]/[email protected] student resource and social justice education center. She advocates for [email protected] [email protected] American community issues, in addition to offering leadership development, mentoring, and community engagement/empowerment programs for all students. She also provided diversity training for a variety of units and departments on and off campus.

Lorena works hard to create a culture of accountability and support for her students. Lorena truly lives with deep passion in her life, work, and her students. It is apparent in everything she does, from the overwhelming success of the annual Dia de los Muertos to the meticulously planned César E. Chávez Center for Higher Education high school conference from the school districts of Pomona and Los Angeles.

In 2013, she was recognized by colleagues in the Division of Student Affairs with the STAR award for her dedication and passion to students and the division. Committed to the Student Affairs' themes of integrity, interconnectedness, passion, quality, richness of diversity and student-centered philosophy. In 2014, she received ACPA’s Outstanding Contributions to Multicultural Education and will be receiving the 2017 Outstanding Mid-Level Recognition from NASPA’s Latinx Knowledge Community.

Márquez has served on the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Southern California Executive Board in the past and currently serves on NASPA’s Parent and Family Relations Knowledge Community. She is on the Executive Board of the California Council of Cultural Centers in Higher Education and has been involved as a board member of the [email protected] Roundtable of the San Gabriel Valley and Pomona Valley.

Lorena loves to practice active listening in order to create collaborative and diverse communities of inclusion and creativity.

PRESENTER:
Leigh Poirier

Program Director, UCI+One with the Division of Continuing Education

Leigh creates teachable moments to help others grow.  With more than 20 years’ experience in education – ranging from elementary school teacher to directing the UCI Graduate Resource Center – she understands the power of education. In her current position with the UCI+One Program, she develops initiatives for recent graduates and alumni as they navigate their career paths. Her passion for mentoring and connecting people fuel her both professionally and personally.

PRESENTER:
Dr. Erica Sherese Little

Area Coordinator for Residential Life Operations

Erica Sherese Little is a graduate of Pepperdine University's #1 nationally recognized Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Organizational Leadership Program. Working with and advising mid-level leaders in higher education is a passion of hers in which she devotes extensive time to researching and developing ways to foster their personal and professional leadership skills. This can be exhibited, for example, through her previous work of presenting at conferences with a focus on mid-level leadership development, and tailoring her most recent research to creating a framework of success for individuals transitioning into new mid-level roles in higher education. In addition to obtaining her Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine, Erica previously earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Asheville located in Asheville, NC; and a Master of Science Degree in Higher Education Administration from Drexel University located in Philadelphia, PA. She currently holds the role of Area Coordinator for Residential Life Operations at Scripps College. Her most recent proud accolades include passing her final dissertation defense with honors and earning a group Emmy in 2015 with the production company HitRECord for her work in cinematography and acting. Additionally, as a result of her experiences in the organizational leadership program Erica has recently launched a small business focused on Fashion and Portrait Photography.

PRESENTER:
Dr. Cecilia Santiago-Gonzalez

Director of Enrollment and One-Stop Services

Dr. Cecilia Santiago-Gonzalez is the inaugural Director of Enrollment and One-Stop Services at Cal Poly Pomona. In her role, she is responsible for developing a one-stop enrollment student center that provides higher level of efficient, personalized and responsive services for students doing business with the university. Blending a high tech/high touch approach, the One Stop Center provides a holistic approach to information and problem solving that transcends office boundaries and reflects the manner in which students expect to receive information and services critical to their success.

Over her experience in student affairs and higher education, Cecilia has led numerous departments and initiatives focused on fostering equitable, supportive, and validating learning environments. In 2009, she was the Associate Director for Student Support Services at the Art Center College of Design. Before her tenure at Art Center, she was the Coordinator of the Cesar E. Chavez Center for Higher Education at Cal Poly Pomona from 2005 to 2009 and the Associate Director of the Cultural Center and Director of the Ortiz Programs at Whittier College from 2003 to 2005.

Cecilia received a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California. Her dissertation work focused on identifying the ways in which faculty act as institutional agents for low-income Latino students in STEM disciplines at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). She has a Master’s degree in College Student Affairs from Azusa Pacific University and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Whittier College.

PRESENTER:
Aristotle Mosier

Director of Asian Pacific Student Services

Aristotle Mosier is the Director of Asian Pacific Student Services at Loyola Marymount University. Previously, he worked at California Lutheran University where he served as Associate Director of Student Leadership and Programs overseeing the Student Leadership and Programs Unit consisting of the Community Service Center, Recreational Sports, Wellness, and Student Involvement. Mr. Mosier has over ten years of student affairs experience working in residence life, student activities, career services, and academic advising. He has a passion for mentoring college students, diversity and social justice work.

Aristotle Mosier earned his M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Kent State University and his B.A. from the University of Akron in Political Science. Mr. Mosier is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators (JASPA).

PRESENTER:
Dr. Christopher Lenz

Director of the Career Development Center

Chris Lenz is the Director of the Career Development Center at Cal State LA. Prior to that, he worked at the City of Glendale as a career counselor, assessment center supervisor, and One Stop manager for federal workforce development programs. Other positions include adjunct professor in the Charter College of Education at Cal State LA; MFT internships at the Community Family Counseling Center and Catholic Charities; and work in refugee resettlement as a Caseworker & Assistant Director for the Tolstoy Foundation. He serves on the Verdugo Workforce Development Board and is a member of the LA Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Development Committee. Chris has a BA from UNC Greensboro, where he studied violin performance and pre-medicine. He has an MS in counseling (MFT concentration) from CSU Northridge, with a thesis on acculturative value change and stress among Armenian immigrants, and is a National Certified Counselor. Chris earned his Ed.D. from CSU Long Beach, with his dissertation research focused on the development of leadership in higher education.