COE celebrates three Sally Casanova Scholars

Three College of Education graduate students were among the eight San Diego State University students named Sally Casanova California Pre-Doctoral Scholars for 2025-26. 

Leslie Gomez, Daniela Hernandez and Rei Perez Muñoz were among 85 recipients throughout the California State University system accepted into the California Pre-Doctoral Program, which for the past 36 years has aimed to diversify CSU faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of promising students. Each will receive funds for travel and professional development, complete a summer research experience and receive mentorship from current faculty.

Learn more about COE’s Sally Casanova California Pre-Doctoral Scholars:

Leslie Gomez

As a student in the Postsecondary Educational Leadership and Student Affairs (PELSA) master’s program, Gomez studies equity in higher education — particularly how institutional practices can be improved to best reflect the needs of students. 

“As a proud first-generation student, this journey is new to me and navigating the hidden curriculum is often challenging,” Gomez said. “Having access to mentorship, funding and professional development opportunities will allow me to best prepare for a doctoral program and I’m excited to learn and grow as a scholar.”

Gomez, who grew up in Escondido, California, plans to use the funding for Ph.D. program application fees, campus visits and to attend a professional conference. She hopes it will further her path to become a professor who advocates for her students. She is currently a member of the CCHALES Research Collective, led by Associate Professor Eric R. Felix — Gomez’s mentor during the scholarship. 

“During my time at SDSU, he has supported my research endeavors and has provided guidance as I establish my identity as a researcher,” Gomez said of Felix. “I look forward to learning from him as my mentor and I aspire to do work similar to his.”

Daniela Hernandez

Also a PELSA master’s student, Hernandez is passionate about equity-centered higher education reform. As a Research Analyst in SDSU's Research and Equity Scholarship Institute on Student Trajectories in Education (RES-ISTE), she examines how state and federal policies shape success rates among minoritized students.

“The aspect that excites me most about becoming a Sally Casanova Scholar is the opportunity to serve as visible, meaningful representation for first-generation Latina scholars on the path to earning doctorates,” said Hernandez. “It means very much to me to be a selected scholar with the opportunity to continue my education and expand my scholarship at a time when lifting up diverse scholarly voices is needed the most.” 

Hailing from Calexico, California in the Imperial Valley, Hernandez aspires to become a tenured professor so she can influence policy and support equitable student outcomes. During the program, she will be guided by her longtime mentor, Professor and RES-ISTE Director Felisha Herrera Villarreal.

“Through Dr. Herrera Villarreal’s mentorship, I have been able to discover my passion for contributing to evolving scholarship and teaching at the professoriate level,” Hernandez said. “Having a first-generation Latina mentor also shows me what representation in academia looks like and has empowered me to pursue the doctoral path.”

Rei Perez Muñoz

A master’s student in child development, Muñoz is passionate about conducting community research into the social determinants of health while advocating for health equity for families.

“Areas of research I am drawn towards are chronic illness development and stress biology — explicitly focusing on these concepts in the Latine community,” they explained,” and aiming to disprove genetic reasoning as the sole cause for disease.”

Muñoz, who was born in Cuba and grew up in Orange County, said the funding will make a massive difference in their professional future. A first-generation college student, they are excited to make campus visits to their preferred Ph.D. programs, become a professional member of science organizations and attend conferences.

They will be mentored by Vanja Lazarevic, associate professor in Child and Family Development, who Muñoz said has long been a caring and supportive presence throughout their academic journey at SDSU.

“This fellowship represents a door being opened that I could not have shoved open with only my own strength,” Muñoz said. “Through mentorship and financial support, I will have access to academic spaces and networking opportunities that I would not have had previously. I am excited to meet the other health professions scholars and help each other reach our goals over the next year.”