Our People

Meet the people who are the driving forces behind The California Alliance for Student Parent Success. This network is led by California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy and EdTrust-West with support from an Advisory Committee that includes student parents and other field experts. The Alliance’s diverse membership consists of organizations focused on a range of issues, including basic needs security and poverty elimination, child welfare, civil rights, economic development, health, housing, higher education, and social justice.

The Backbone Organizations and Leads

About California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy

California Competes develops evidence-based solutions to the state’s most critical postsecondary and workforce issues. Through its rigorous research, California Competes guides decision makers in creating and implementing policies that bolster equity so every Californian can engage, contribute, and succeed.

Leads from California Competes:
Su Jin Jez, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Max Wolf-Johnson
Senior Policy and Research Analyst
follow California competes:

About EdTrust-West

EdTrust-West is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the California education system. Through research and advocacy, Ed Trust-West improves racial equity in education, engages diverse communities dedicated to education equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where students of color and multilingual learners, especially those experiencing poverty, will thrive.

Leads from EdTrust-West:
Christopher J. Nellum, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Maya Valree
ALLIANCE LEAD AND SENIOR POLICY ANALYST
FOLLOW EDTRUST-WEST

Advisory Committee

Comprising student parents and field experts, the Advisory Committee provides guidance and expertise to shape and refine our strategies. 

Sara Bachez

Director of Education Policy and Advocacy, Children Now

Tina Cheuk, Ph.D.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, ELEMENTARY SCIENCE EDUCATION, CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN LUIS OBISPO

Schinal Harrington

Student Parent and MSW Candidate, UCLA

Jessica Lee, J.D.

Co-Director, Center for WorkLife Law and Director, Pregnant Scholar Initiative, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco

Michaela Martin, J.D.

Student Parent Advocate

Carlos Romero

EOPS/CARE/CalWORKs Specialist, Irvine Valley College

Members

Our membership represents a passionate collective of organizations and individuals dedicated to critical causes, including ensuring basic needs security, eliminating poverty, and advocating for social justice, each playing a pivotal role in shaping brighter futures for student parents and their families.

organizations
individuals

Kimberly Alvarez

Fierce Advocate and Former Student Parent

Karen Arellano-Cruz

Student Parent Advocate

Luisa Avila

Student Parent Advocate

Elizabeth Beckner

PhD Candidate, University of California, Riverside

Heather Brandt

Pregnant and Parenting Student Advocate

Elise Caloca

Student Parent Advocate

Dr. Nancy Dayne

Associate Professor of Child Development and Family Studies, California State University Long Beach

Monique Estrada, PhD

Student Parent Advocate

Celina Gomez

Student Parent at the University of Southern California

Kalisha Gomez

Student Parent, Riverside City College

Mackenzie Grass

Student Parent, Basic Needs, and Affordable Student Housing Advocate; Former Student Parent

Aymie Guerrero, Ed.D.

Student Parent Advocate and Lecturer at California State University, Northridge

Chanel Hamilton

Student Parent Advocate and Classified Administrative Assistant at Long Beach City College

Martine Lappé, PhD

Associate Professor of Sociology, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Jonathan Leong

Student Parent Advocate

Rebecca Lopez

Student Parent Advocate

Eve Lucho

Senior Program Coordinator, Student Basic Needs, Michelson 20MM Foundation

Mileidy Maldonado, M.A.

Student Parent Advocate

Letty Mejia

Student Parent Advocate

Courtney Moore

Student Parent Advocate

Giselle Navarro-Cruz, PhD

Student Parent Advocate and Associate Professor of Early Childhood Studies at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Cedric Nelms

Student Parent Advocate and Organizer of Black Parent Network

Ishia Orozco-Barajas

Parenting Student Advocate and Former Parenting Student

Forest Peterson

Student Parent Advocate

Shannon Riley

Student Parent and Student Parent Advocate

Ingrid Serna

Student Parent, Fullerton College

Christina Sholars

Student Parent Advocate

Rose Vargas

Student Parent Advocate

Heather Werner

Student Parent Advocate

Khalid White

Fatherhood Engagement Specialist and CEO/Owner, BLKMPWR, LLC

Waukecha Wilkerson

Student Parent Advocate

This section’s membership is individual.
Affiliated organizations or institutions are noted for reference only.

Funders

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the funders whose support empowers our mission and drives progress.

If you are interested in supporting The Alliance’s work, please contact us.