Melissa (ella/she/ her/hers) earned her Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in K-12 education and equity from SDSU’s Joint Ph.D. Program in Education with Claremont Graduate School in 2018. She went on to serve as an assistant professor in liberal studies at CSU Dominguez Hills. Her research and teaching center the need to prepare critically conscious bilingual educators on the sociopolitical, ideological, cultural and linguistic aspects of teacher preparation in general, and K-8 equitable science and dual-language education specifically, pushing the need to decolonize science education. A former 4th and 8th grade social-justice math and science Spanish/English dual-language teacher, her experiences as an immigrant 6th grade student from Tijuana, México, inspired her path as an educator. (Read Melissa’s COE alumni profile) 

Vanessa received a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Practice from Georgia State University in addition to master's degrees in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and School Counseling from California State University, Fresno, and Georgia State. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified School Counselor in the state of Georgia in addition to a Registered Play Therapist. She has focused her clinical work on the treatment of children and adolescents and has experience working in community agencies, inpatient rehabilitation centers and — most recently — as a high school counselor. Vanessa’s research interests include cultural humility, multicultural counseling competence and school counselor training. When she is not working she loves running, spending time with her family and all things Disney.

Katie explores with K-12 students and their teachers how to restructure power hierarchies operating in science classrooms to expand justice-oriented learning opportunities within and beyond school communities. Drawing on her experiences as a middle school science teacher and using participatory qualitative research methodologies, she works to support science education that leverages the brilliance of students' communities and redresses the ways systematic oppression operates through dominant schooling practices. She earned her doctoral degree in curriculum, instruction and teacher education at Michigan State University. Her work has been shared through professional development sessions, at local and international conferences, and in journals such as Science Scope, Science Education and Cultural Studies of Science Education. As an avid paddleboarder and an emerging tidepool visitor, Katie is reminded of the many joyous ways youth and adults can explore the world around them. 

Cecy has more than 12 years of experience in administration and event planning. Prior to joining the College of Education, she served as the coordinator for the Dean’s Office of the College of Science and Mathematics at Fresno State. Cecy loves maintaining a healthy physical and mental lifestyle through exercise and meditation.

Yvette was born in San Diego and lived in San Antonio for three years before returning to her hometown. Yvette loves staying active, spending time with her pets and being outdoors. An experienced traveler, Yvette has visited Indonesia, Europe, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada and many more places.  

A Southern California native, Monica earned certification in front office reception from the San Diego Job Corps Center in Imperial Beach in 1988, leading her to a career in public service. She worked as an administrative secretary for the County of San Diego for 30 years before retiring in October 2019 — but not before earning the title “Little Ms. Efficient.” A happy-spirited naturalist, she enjoys spending time with her husband Don, and their beloved house rabbits, chinchilla and parakeets. From 2011-2017, she attended Aerial Revolution, a recreational and professional Circus Arts studio in San Diego. She performed in 12 student showcase acts for contortion, lyra and trapeze. 

Fiona was born in Los Angeles and then moved to San Diego when she started school at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. She went to San Francisco State University and achieved a bachelor’s in painting and drawing with an emphasis in animation. She is glad to be back in San Diego with her thirteen year old rescued pug and family.