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Staff
 | Miami Gelvezon-Gatpandan Program Coordinator (310) 243-2138 mgelvezon@csudh.edu | Educational Background:
About Me: The narratives of students within this university serve as my inspiration. Growing up in a sizable immigrant family, I find common ground with many of the students here. Witnessing the dedication and passion our students exhibit in serving their communities fills me with pride as a Toro! I firmly believe in the ethos of diligence, enjoyment, and fostering meaningful connections throughout life's journey. “As the proverb says, ‘Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.’" | ||||
 | Francisco Checkcinco Community Partner Coordinator (310) 243-2480 fcheckcinco1@csudh.edu | Educational Background:
About Me: I am proud to be both a CSUDH alumnus and a beneficiary of the SLICE program. Through firsthand experience, I gained insights into the diverse communities we served, and I seized opportunities for personal growth while contributing to our community's well-being. Now, as a staff member, I am committed to fostering the growth and development of others, inspired by the support and encouragement I received from the SLICE team. | ||||
 | Beatty Ramirez Administrative Support (310) 243-2438 bramirez136@csudh.edu | Educational Background:
About me: As a proud graduate of CSU Dominguez Hills, I hold the esteemed title of being an alumnus of Jumpstart for Young Children. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Human Services, I am passionate about collaborating with my fellow Toros and leveraging my experience as a Jumpstart alumnus to contribute to our community. Additionally, I had the privilege of serving as the President of the Native American Indian Association, where I actively worked to promote cultural awareness and support initiatives within the Native American community. | ||||
 | Maria Avila Interim Director for Community Engaged Teaching and Research (310) 243-2438 maravila@csudh.edu | About me: Maria Avila has worked in higher education for over two decades as an administrator and as faculty. Prior to higher education she worked as a social worker and as a community organizer. Her organizing work with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF, https://www.industrialareasfoundation.org) in South Los Angeles and in Northern California is the foundation of her work as a community engaged scholar. Until August 2022, she was Associate Professor in the Social Work department at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Maria was a postdoctoral, Andrew W. Mellon Fellow with the Center for Diversity and Democracy and taught in the department of American Studies and Ethnicity from 2012 to 2014, at the University of Southern California. Prior to this, she was the founding Director of the Center for Community Based Learning at Occidental College, from 2001 to 2011. Maria believes that higher education has a mandate to contribute to supporting and enhancing democracy, particularly through community engaged teaching and research, and by creating more collaborative cultures within academic institutions and with organizations with whom them partner. She earned a MA in Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago, and a PhD in Adult and Community Education at Maynooth University, in Ireland. Maria is the recipient of a Fulbright award in Ireland and another one in Colombia. During her time as faculty as CSUDH she led five community engaged research projects on and off campus. These five projects are focus of her recent publication Building Collective Leadership for Culture Change: Stories of Relational Organizing (2023). This is a continuation of her first book: Transformative Civic Engagement through Community Organizing (2017). |
Staff
 | Jessica Ramirez Jumpstart Site Manager (310) 243-2739 jumpstart@csudh.edu | Educational Background:
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Staff
 | Xavier Pineda Manager (310) 243-3675 xpineda@csudh.edu | Educational Background:
About Me: As a CSUDH alum, I find great fulfillment in collaborating with our students and the broader CSUDH community. Over the past 13 years, I've been deeply ingrained in the Toro community, witnessing its evolution and the emergence of genuine civic-minded leaders. As a member of #CaliforniansForAll-College Corps, I have the privilege of directly witnessing the growth of numerous students, and I take immense pride in being a part of their transformative journeys. | ||||
 | Natalie Gomez | Educational Background:
About Me: I am a proud graduate of Dominguez Hills, and I also have the honor of being an alumnus of Jumpstart for Young Children. My degree in Child Development with a focus on Family Services perfectly complements my experience with Jumpstart. I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with my fellow Toros in our shared endeavors. | ||||
 | Sabrina Ponciano Program Coordinator sponciano1@csudh.edu | Educational Background:
About me: As a proud first-generation alumna of CSUDH, I began my journey as a student assistant on campus, which eventually led me to join the College Corps Team. Drawing from my own experiences on campus, I find great fulfillment in collaborating with our fellows as they contribute to the community that has enriched my own life in countless ways. |
Staff
 | Taylor Watts-White Representative (310) 243-2438 justicecorps@csudh.edu | About Me: As a junior Presidential Scholar pursuing a major in Criminal Justice Administration and a minor in Women's Studies, I employ an intersectional approach to my work. With a blend of comprehensive skills and hands-on experience, I am committed to promoting fairness, legality, and social equity within the JusticeCorps program. Serving as a student leader, I actively engage in collaborative efforts to cultivate an environment that is both inclusive and just, prioritizing the recognition and appreciation of student perspectives. Outside of my responsibilities, you can find me volunteering, studying, or dedicating time to self-care. |