Leadership
Our diverse leadership team combines expertise in higher education, early childhood, and workforce development to foster a sustainable and scalable model that aligns with our mission, vision and values.
Adriana Magana, M.A.
Adriana Magaña (she, her, hers) is the Director of Student Success at EDvance College. She has held various positions within the education field through the years, including serving as a Jumpstart Corps Member, paraeducator, Early Interventionist, and Faculty Lecturer at San Francisco State University. Ms. Magaña’s work is fueled by fostering culturally responsive, individual and community partnerships and creating representation in higher education spaces. At the core, Ms. Magaña’s antiracist work centers on inclusivity and accessibility for marginalized groups.
Ms. Magaña has collaborated with EDvance through various projects, including the summer study abroad service-learning program in Vrygrond Township of Cape Town, South Africa, where she partnered with ECE educators in modifying their environment to be inclusive for all children. She also managed the lower division program, taught multiple courses about social-emotional learning and inclusive practices in the upper-division program, and supported San Francisco ECE educators to meet their GE requirements for transfer eligibility.
Ms. Magaña is a first-generation college graduate who completed her M.A. in Special Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education and her Education Specialist Credential. Her thesis focused on Early Intervention Services from the Perspective of Rural Families in Stanislaus County, California. Ms. Magaña also holds a B.A. in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley.
Leveraging her expertise and profound dedication to promoting inclusivity, Ms. Magaña is committed in her mission to cultivate an atmosphere that empowers EDvance College students, unlocking their boundless potential and thereby shaping a brighter future for both young children and the communities they touch.
Alicia Osborne, M.A.
Alicia Osborne (she/her/hers) is the Vice President of Workforce Development and Admissions at EDvance College. With 19 years of dedicated learning, growth, development, and community work, she has made a profound impact on children, families, and early care providers in various diverse communities, both within and outside California.
Previously, Alicia held the role of Registered Apprenticeships Programs Director at Early Care Education Pathways to Success. During her tenure as a subject matter expert, she successfully led early care and education employers and community college partners in the creation and launch of workforce development apprenticeship programs. These programs were designed to cater to state, and federally funded early care providers, family child care providers, expanded learning providers, as well as high school students.
Alicia’s professional journey began as an AmeriCorps member in Oakland preschool classrooms, where she discovered her passion for serving others. Over the years, she has assumed various roles within the early care education sector, including director, teacher, trainer, coach, professor, and program manager. Her diverse experience spans non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and state- and locally-funded early care and education agencies. Alicia has also presented at both state and national conferences to champion workforce initiatives.
Alicia is a first-generation college graduate, holding a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Leadership and Supervision, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Politics from Saint Mary’s College of California. Additionally, she possesses a CA Child Development Program Director Permit. Beyond her professional achievements, Alicia finds joy in traveling, beading, and crafting cherished memories with her daughter, husband, and extended family.
Alicia’s commitment to belonging, justice, diversity, inclusion, and equity is rooted in her practice of active listening and a deep understanding of people’s needs to enhance her ability to collaborate effectively. To further strengthen her equity perspective and uplift community voices, Alicia participated as an Education Trust West fellow in 2022 and a Surge Institute fellow in 2021. She remains unwavering in her dedication to empower early care educators, improve the workforce experience, and advance long-term sustainability in early care and education through strategic economic investments. Alicia’s steadfast commitment to building partnerships and nurturing relationships plays a pivotal role in achieving collective impact.
Amy Crown, M.B.A.
Amy Crown (she, her, hers) is the Director of Admissions at EDvance College. With more than a decade of higher education experience, Amy brings her knowledge and tools to lead EDvance College's partner engagement and student recruitment efforts. Amy’s various roles in higher education include Director of Admissions, Community Relations Manager, Business Development and Strategic Partnership Executive. Her career has focused on developing and enhancing partner relationships to retain a strong workforce while growing student enrollment. During her time as the Director of Admissions, Amy focused on creating opportunities and pathways that directly benefited the diverse community, families and their children. Amy's true passion is providing access to higher education and discovering ways to support students. In addition, she is a representative on two local planning commission boards and a higher education consortium in the Greater Sacramento Region. Amy earned her Master of Arts in Business from the University of Massachusetts and her Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing from Concordia University in Irvine, CA.
Outside of her professional life, Amy enjoys camping with her family, hiking in the beautiful Sierra Mountains and finding new local restaurants. She is committed to the mission and vision of EDvance College and is eager to expand program options and provide support to communities across the county.
Anna Wolde-Yohannes
Anna Wolde-Yohannes (she, her, hers) is the Associate Director of Workforce Development at EDvance College. With over a decade of dedicated experience in Early Care and Education (ECE), she is passionately committed to tackling ECE issues, emphasizing teacher empowerment and unleashing the untapped potential of individuals and communities. Anna's educator journey began in 2014 with a discovery of her passion for preschool teaching at an international school abroad, leading her to teach in various private and public child care sites in San Francisco.
As an alumna of the Surge Institute (2022 Fellow), Anna is dedicated to fostering collective impact and serves as a lead organizer for the SF ECE Advocacy Coalition (SF ECE AC) and an appointed member of the SF Black Early Educator Policy Council (BEEPC). Formerly, she was the Co-Director at Early Care Educators of San Francisco (ECESF), a nonprofit amplifying the voices of ECE educators to affect change.
Anna's commitment to equity in ECE is reflected in her multifaceted leadership roles, including board membership with the East Bay Chapter of CAAEYC, participation in SF Educators for Equity, leadership within the Bay Area Network for Diversity Training in Early Childhood (BANDTEC), and work as an ECE consultant since 2018 specializing in equity-focused trainings. She also co-created the educator-led podcast series "Lesson Up!" to amplify ECE voices. She also holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies with a Minor in Politics from San Francisco State University, along with a CA Child Development Program Director Permit.
Anna's extensive travels to over 35 countries on six continents underscore her deep appreciation for learning from diverse cultures. Anna naturally makes others feel they belong and is happiest spending time with loved ones. In her role at EDvance, Anna's cultural understanding serves as a cornerstone enabling her to effectively navigate the landscape and cultivate meaningful partnerships to drive positive change within the ECE community.
Chad Thompson
Chad Thompson (he, him, his) is the Chief Financial and Operations Officer at EDvance College. He has over 25 years as an experienced and highly qualified higher education finance professional and leader. For the past fifteen years, Chad has served as a CFO predominantly with time as a COO and two years as CEO as well helping a college system through a change of ownership. Chad's experience in higher ed finance includes large US college systems with publicly traded parent corporations, in addition to smaller family owned college systems. Chad has experience at both the strategic and operational level in addition to experience at both the campus and the corporate central office. Chad is known to be progressive, decisive, innovative and highly valued for his expertise interpreting corporate vision and strategy, translating objectives into actionable plans, and providing leadership where needed.
Chad is well versed in the accreditation process and has experience as a NECHE Team Evaluator. He served as the CFO of a regionally accredited(SACS-COC), research level, for profit university for seven years. Chad has experience with multiple national accreditors to include ACICS, ACCET and ACCST.
Chad has years of experience implementing strong control procedures in all finance related areas, managing all financial responsibilities within college and universities, and has managed direct reports in financial aid, human resources, facilities, and information technology. He is well versed in all operations of a college.
Chad has a passion for higher education and is particularly excited to be a part of the EDvance College team, delivering quality teachers and leaders within early childhood education.
Connie Hardison
Connie Hardison (she, her, hers) is the Controller at EDvance College and has over 22 years of experience working in higher education. She has a broad knowledge of the various aspects of education including the online component as an accounting professional and as a student.
Starting as a Business Office Manager at a for-profit college in 2000, Connie advanced into different positions including Staff Accountant, Controller, and Associate Vice President of Finance & Accounting during her 20-year career. She received the President’s Award, Key to Success Award and Chancellor’s Award (2 years) for exceptional leadership, service and contributions to students and the organization. Connie has implemented new systems, written policies and procedures and led a staff of twelve associates in accounting, facilities, and financial aid.
Connie has attended multiple conference trainings on various systems, leadership, and management. She is a lifelong learner and works to improve herself daily. Connie received a Bachelor of Science – Applied Management degree in 2007 from National American University.
Connie has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and All Blessings International Adoption Agency. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter, Stewardship and Audit Committees for her church, is a volunteer for Kentucky Disaster Relief and Chosen Children’s Ministries (mission trips to Nicaragua). She is a member of Impact 100, a group of women that have awarded grants of $4.2 million dollars to nonprofits in her local community. She raises money and awards scholarships annually from The Coach Troy Hardison Memorial Scholarship for Athletes fund to continue her husband’s legacy as a teacher and coach. She enjoys traveling, pickleball, reading and spending time with her three children (Ty, Alli & Kyle), her granddaughter Sophia, and two dogs (Angel and Franklin).
As a first generation college graduate, Connie has a heartfelt desire to help people especially in the education field which aligns with the mission of EDvance. She is very excited to be a part of the EDvance team in changing the trajectory of society by giving children the absolute best educational start possible.
Jennifer Ma, M.A.
Jennifer Ma (she/her/hers) is the Director of Financial Aid at EDvance College. With over 17 years of experience in Higher Education, she specializes in student financial aid programs and college affordability for socioeconomically disadvantaged students. She has held leadership roles in federal (Title IV) and state student aid programs, overseeing institutional compliance at various California Community Colleges. Most recently, Jennifer served as a financial aid consultant, leading the FAFSA Simplification project for a multi-college district, developing a Student Loan Default Prevention Plan, and training financial aid professionals. She specializes in project management, cross-functional team leadership, technology optimization for process improvement, and developing policies and practices that promote student equity.
Her contributions include leading teams to implement technology solutions like Colleague Financial Aid Self-Service, Ocelot AI Chatbot and Financial Aid Counseling, Global Financial Aid Services, and the Blackbaud Scholarship Management system to improve workflow efficiency and the student experience. She also led a Cal Grant audit, creating a corrective action plan that prevented fines and resolved significant Federal Pell Grant reporting errors, reconciling nearly $2 million. Jennifer is known for her thoughtful, collaborative leadership, with a proven track record of fostering teamwork, managing change, and working effectively with stakeholders. Committed to professional growth, she attended Contra Costa Community College Leadership Institute and Leadership Institute for Tomorrow (L.I.F.T) at California State University, Fullerton. Jennifer holds a B.S. in Human Development from the University of CA, Davis, and a M.A. in Higher Education Leadership from Sacramento State University.
Jennifer’s passion for serving underrepresented students stems from her experience as a first-generation student. She believes in the transformative power of higher education and is dedicated to promoting social mobility through equity, positivity, empathy, and collaboration. Jennifer is inspired by EDvance College’s model, values, and holistic support services, sharing the college’s commitment to removing educational barriers and empowering the ECE workforce. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring food, baking, and traveling with her husband and daughter.
Lygia Stebbing, Ed.D.
Dr. Lygia Stebbing (she/her/hers), serves as the President and Founder of EDvance College. With an impressive career spanning over two decades, Dr. Stebbing has dedicated herself to creating and refining higher education programs that bolster the academic achievements and career advancement of the early childhood workforce.
Raised by a single mother who was a family child care provider, Lygia grew up witnessing firsthand the challenges child care providers faced, particularly in meeting evolving licensing requirements and the growing need for quality child care. This early exposure has deeply influenced her commitment to supporting child care professionals in overcoming barriers to education and career progression.
Her notable contributions include the design and implementation of innovative Early Childhood Education degree pathways, strategically crafted to enhance educational accessibility and ensure vocational stability for early childhood educators. At the core of her work lies a profound commitment to honoring, preserving, and nurturing the cultural and linguistic connections between highly skilled educators and families, with the aim of supporting child development and early learning.
Throughout her career, Dr. Stebbing has tirelessly served the educational interests of both domestic and international communities. In the United States, she has played a pivotal role as an instructor at higher education institutions, where she developed and taught courses in early childhood education and child development with a strong focus on principles of social justice, community engagement, professionalism, and practical experience. Additionally, Dr. Stebbing has held a mayoral appointment for the Office of Early Care and Education Citizens Advisory Committee and served as the Higher Education representative for San Francisco's QRIS Local Planning Consortia.
On the international front, Dr. Stebbing's endeavors have included working with indigenous children in Oaxaca, Mexico, spearheading and leading a summer study abroad service-learning program in ECE within the Vrygrond Township of Cape Town, South Africa, and guiding an early childhood study tour through New Zealand.
Dr. Stebbing's educational journey culminated in the completion of her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at San Francisco State University. Her doctoral research delved into the critical academic and programmatic supports required to maintain diversity within the early childhood workforce. In addition to her doctorate, Dr. Stebbing holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Delaware and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from San Francisco State University.
Dr. Stebbing's unwavering commitment remains steadfast in her quest to find solutions that ensure all early childhood educators have access to high-quality, accessible, and affordable education.
Stephanie Moore
Stephanie Moore (she/her/hers) is the Director of Operations at EDvance College, where she brings a decade of invaluable experience in higher education, including a distinguished history of service within the EDvance community.
Stephanie embarked on her journey with EDvance back in 2013 as an intern, and over the years, she has embraced a multitude of roles within the organization. Her remarkable versatility and unwavering commitment have played pivotal roles in various capacities, ranging from providing comprehensive program and student support as a Program Assistant to skillfully managing essential functions such as budgeting, grant reporting, accounts payable, and human resources in her role as the Compliance Manager. Stephanie's relentless dedication to achieving excellence and her commitment to continuous improvement shine through her active participation in management training hosted by The Management Center. She has skillfully integrated the invaluable lessons from this training into EDvance's operational procedures, effectively aligning them with the organization's core values, which include Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice (JEDI+B).
As a first-generation college student who personally benefited from a highly scaffolded and well-thought-out coursework, Stephanie carries a passionate commitment to ensuring that programming is offered to students in a manner that supports them in achieving their educational aspirations. She firmly believes in providing students with the necessary wrap-around support to thrive academically. In her current role, Stephanie channels her dedication to ensuring that all employee needs, both on an individual and organizational level, are met effectively. Her efforts are geared toward equipping every employee with the essential tools required to not only excel in their roles but also to better support our students in their educational journeys.
Victoria Quijano, Ed.D.
Dr. Victoria Quijano (she, her, hers) is the Co-founder and Chief Academic Officer at EDvance College. With over 27 years in higher education, Dr. Quijano brings a breadth of knowledge and experience to EDvance College. She recently retired from San Francisco State University where she served as full-time faculty and the Director of Undergraduate Community Practice. She designed and taught numerous public health courses and gravitated towards those that focused on writing and skill development. Her academic focus involves strengthening the integration of general education skills across the curriculum and within public health. She was instrumental in embedding writing support and skill development into disciplinary courses.
Dr. Quijano began working with EDvance in 2013 as a consultant, supporting curriculum development and leading the Faculty Learning Community. Dr. Quijano led the curriculum redesign process for EDvance's seamless transition into a standalone institution of higher education and was instrumental in . In this capacity, she directed the sequencing, aligning, and evaluation of EDvance College's signature curriculum in close collaboration with the College's leadership team and the Faculty Learning Community (FLC). Dr. Quijano’s ideological commitment to student-centered and experiential learning guides her teaching, coaching, and developmental practices. As a curriculum developer, she specializes in sequencing and scaffolding learning experiences and outcomes across the curriculum, with a particular focus on assessment, accreditation alignment, writing across the curriculum, and writing in the disciplines. Applying a liberation education framework and approach in her teaching drives Dr. Quijano’s mission as a professor, administrator, and educational designer.
Dr. Quijano earned her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from San Francisco State University. She also earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) from San Jose State University and a BS degree in Health Education from San Francisco State University.
Dr. Quijano’s passion for teaching and learning stems from her experience as a first-generation, single-parenting college student who wouldn’t have succeeded without mentors, student support services, financial aid, and pedagogical experts who inspired her love of reading, writing, teaching, and learning.
Program Staff
Dedicated to student success, our program staff collaborates closely with students and community partners, placing student achievement at the heart of everything we do.
Ana Enriquez Mejicanos
Ana Enriquez Mejicanos (She/her/ella) is the Student Success Advocate at EDvance College. Coming from a background in social work, she has extensive experience as a Youth Advocate, working with systems that impact youth and those at risk of entering those systems. Her role involved stabilizing and finding resources for school, work, and home life. Additionally, she worked at College Track, a college preparation after school program, as an academic success advisor. In this role, Ana conducted one-on-one sessions with students to support their academic needs, including tutoring and resource guidance. Her roles also included summer math programs, group tutoring, ACT and SAT prep, and other skill development initiatives.
As a first generation graduate from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor's in Psychology, Ana has developed a deep ability to connect with individuals, their families, and their support networks, which enhances her understanding of each person's journey. While working closely with Head Start/ Early Head Start teachers as a Family Advocate, she recognized the need for more educators in the classroom and understood that many of them did not have the opportunity to attend traditional schooling. The barriers they faced with having to work and finding the time, discouraged many to keep pursuing an education. Knowing that these amazing educators wanted to continue their education has led her to want to pursue a career in a field that can support them.
As a Student Success Advocate at EDvance College, her goal is to connect, support, and uplift the students, helping them to thrive in their careers. Helping the educators feel that they are not alone and creating confidence in them through their journey is what she strives for. Ana is confident that the skills and experiences she has gained throughout her years will support the students in their EDvance journey.
Anahi Torres
Anahi Torres (She/her) is the Multilingual Admissions Coordinator at EDvance College. Her passion in education and youth has given her the opportunity to hold different roles throughout the Bay Area. Previously, Anahi was a Jumpstart Corps Member and an America Reads Tutor before stepping into her role as a Preschool Teacher, followed by a Lead Teaching position at Felton Institute. She then moved into the Administration department as she held a pivoting role of administrative support and a classroom substitute teacher for students ages 2-4. Anahi also spent time within the San Francisco Unified School District as she worked in the Wellness Department and served as a Community Health Outreach Worker while working alongside Middle School students. Lastly, Anahi worked as a Student Support Specialist at a nonprofit summer program known as Aim High in the Bayview district.
Anahi is a first-generation college student, she earned her B.A, in Child and Adolescent Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Special Education from San Francisco State University. Anahi is committed to closing gaps within the higher education system and helping build a bridge to obtain accessible high quality education in low income communities.
Anahi currently holds a California Teacher Permit and has worked in and for nonprofit organizations all throughout her undergraduate and postgraduate journey. Anahi first joined the EDvance family throughout her time attending SFSU where she quickly felt connected and accepted.
As a Multilingual Admissions Coordinator at EDvance College, Anahi is looking forward to stepping into the world of higher education, specifically, supporting bilingual students obtaining their degrees and helping them get a step closer to their dreams. Anahi is committed to dedicating herself to ensuring student success while encouraging and empowering them to strive to their full potential.
Andrea Cruz
Andrea Cruz (she/her/hers) is a Student Success Coordinator at EDvance College. Andrea comes with eight years in the field of Early Childhood being a teacher with children birth to five. After seven years of being in the classroom setting, Andrea stepped out of the classroom and began her path withWorkforce Development where she began supporting staff with completing their degrees and courses needed for their Child Development Permits.
During the time, Andrea saw the difficulties that many teachers faced when completing degrees, especially those pertaining to transfer courses. As Andrea recruited staff with a goal of being Transfer Ready for their bachelor's Degrees, she met Dr. Lygia Stebbing and learned what EDvance College had to offer the current workforce. As she worked through the Workforce Department in her previous role, Andrea began to connect with Adriana Magana and collaborated in bringing in a group of YMCA of the East Bay staff into EDvance College.
Andrea attended and graduated from California State University East Bay with her B.A. in Human Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Development. As a Student Success Advocate, Andrea aims to support students on an educational, professional, and personal level to make the best of their EDvance journey. Coming from the Early Childhood Field and the classroom setting, Andrea understands the needs that come from working full-time and being a full-time student and will support students to achieve their goals.
Jimin Seung
Jimin Seung (she, her, hers) is the Administrative Assistant at EDvance College.
She first began her work at EDvance College in February 2023 as an intern during her last semester at San Francisco State University (SFSU). During her internship, she was introduced to the early childhood education (ECE) field and how EDvance College works to address the needs of the members of the ECE community. Her internship helped put many of the public health concepts she learned in her classes into a real world perspective and showed her how an institution of higher education can make systemic changes to improve the lives of educators as well as the children they serve in their classrooms.
In her role at EDvance, Jimin uses her organizational skills to provide administrative support to her team members to help the college operate more smoothly. As a newer addition to the EDvance team, she hopes to embrace one of the virtues of EDvance’s Culture, growth mindset, to view every opportunity as a chance to learn and grow. With this mindset, Jimin is excited to continue her journey with EDvance and hopes her contributions will help the team better support the students and the overall ECE community.
Jocelyn Chan, M.A.
Jocelyn (she, her, hers) is the Registrar at EDvance College. She has worked in early childhood and higher educational settings, serving children ages 0-5 and college students, as an educator and/or administrator. In addition, Jocelyn is an EDvance alumnus, and she has since held various positions with EDvance.
Jocelyn applies her early education experiences and knowledge to her advocacy and support of EDvance College's student-educators. She recruited early childhood educators in collaboration with the college departments, partner agencies, and local organizations. She also provided individualized services and support for current and prospective students. In these roles, Jocelyn routinely witnessed the systemic obstacles encountered by early childhood educators in their pursuit of higher education and credentials. Jocelyn recognizes the importance of providing college students with individualized wraparound services and resources. Thus, she is committed to delivering student success services that systematically dismantle these obstacles. Moreover, she believes that creating a welcoming and inclusive environment and developing positive and strong relationships promotes student success.
Jocelyn holds a B.A. degree in Child and Adolescent Development and M.A. degree in Education. She is excited to continue learning, collaborating, and growing alongside student-educators, staff members, and instructors who genuinely care for and love the ECE field.
Kaitlyn McGee
Kaitlyn McGee (she, her, hers) is the Program Assistant for the Academic Affairs Department at EDvance College. She has been in the ECE field for more than 10 years! Kaitlyn was introduced to early childhood education when she was a student at Sacramento State University. She worked at the childcare center on campus while taking classes towards her degree. After transferring to San Francisco State University, Kaitlyn completed her internship at the Children’s Campus on site and graduated with a BA in Child and Adolescent Development. Kaitlyn was a substitute teacher at Nurture and Nature Preschool in Millbrae, then became a part time Preschool teacher, eventually becoming a full time Pre-Kindergarten teacher. She has experience both in the classroom setting as well as in administrative settings having been a lead teacher for the past 9 years as well as the Assistant Director for 6 years.
Being a preschool teacher has been so incredibly rewarding. Kaitlyn enjoys the little discoveries throughout the day, the spark of curiosity through various experiments and activities, the increase in cognitive and readiness skills, as well as the social interactions and play. Even with the joysKaitlyn finds teaching this age group of children, she is looking forward to expanding her skill set and working at a programmatic level here at EDvance. She is eager to take on new challenges and to use her organizational skills and capabilities to help better assist the faculty and students' continued success.
Michelle Hopper, MLIS
Michelle (she/her) is the Adjunct Librarian for EDvance College and Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo. She brings with her over a decade of experience in children’s literature and is a member of the American Library Association and the Association of College and Research Libraries.
Before her career in academic libraries, Michelle worked as a library technician in Title I elementary schools. After receiving her MLIS, she transitioned to the administrative team as district librarian for a TK-12 school district. Michelle’s passion is helping students, whether it is with reference and research questions or by continually evaluating and designing a library that is student-friendly. Her goal is to remove as many obstacles to information as possible, giving students the tools to feel confident in their information literacy skills to reach their educational ambitions and use beyond the classroom.
She holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State University, a Career Technical Education teaching certificate in Education, Child Development, and Family Services, and a California Teacher Librarian Services credential.
Michelle is a collector and nurturer of far too many house plants, loves any opportunity to spend outside in the sunshine, and enjoys finding time to be creative. Her commitment to lifelong learning means she regularly attends workshops and webinars focused on providing improved academic library services and children’s librarianship. Michelle is committed to use her enthusiasm for learning and creativity to improve students’ access to information.
Mirely Cordova, M.B.A.
Mirely Cordova (She/Her) is the Instructional Designer at EDvance College. With extensive experience in instructional design, Mirely has established herself as a skilled consultant specializing in higher education and adult learning course development. Her expertise in crafting engaging educational experiences has made her a valuable contributor to various institutional partners.
As an instructional designer, Mirely believes in creating learning experiences that are both accessible and transformative, meeting learners where they are while challenging them to reach their full potential. Mirely's diverse educational background brings a unique perspective to her work, combining creative design thinking with strategic planning to develop courses that are not only pedagogically sound but also efficiently structured and outcomes-focused.
When not developing educational solutions, Mirely cherishes time with her family and pursues her passion for travel and crafting. At EDvance College, Mirely is thrilled to work alongside faculty and students in creating powerful learning experiences that transform education through innovative course design and meaningful engagement. Her commitment to developing accessible and impactful learning solutions supports both educators and students in their journey toward excellence.
Nayeli Hurtado-Vega
Nayeli Hurtado-Vega (she/her) is the Multilingual Admissions Coordinator at EDvance College. Previously, Nayeli served as a Jumpstart Corps Member and worked in multiple school settings starting from her position as a preschool substitute teacher at Felton during her college career. She also worked as an Academic Success Coach with College Track in which she worked closely with students that needed help finding resources to better support their academic journey. Some of these resources included virtual tutoring options with live tutors, 1:1 weekly check-ins, wellness groups, summer math programs, workshops that were tailored to social emotional learning, ACT/SAT preparation and much more. She then worked as an Office Manager in the West Contra Costa Unified School District for the summer in which her role involved helping students enroll and transfer to different schools. Then, Nayeli worked as a Grad Tutor with West Contra Costa Unified District for Helms Middle School. She supported the International Program that focused on new comer students who needed extra support with acclimating themselves to school while learning a new language. Lastly, she worked as a Typist Clerk in another school, helped with everyday office duties, communicated with parents, assisted with truancy and attendance by setting up conferences while managing all outreach.
Through her various experiences, one of Nayeli’s areas of expertise has become handling communication across different platforms. Communication has been her focus in her past positions since her role often revolved around communicating available resources to students. All of her work across the Bay Area has been centered around providing support to low income communities of color. Nayeli likes to give back to the community where she grew up by breaking down barriers that prevent students like herself from achieving their educational and personal goals. Outside of her professional life, she likes to read, workout, paint, try new restaurants and explore nature whenever possible.
Nayeli is a first generation college graduate from San Francisco State University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Adolescent Development with a concentration in Youth and Out of School Time.
In her current position at EDvance, Nayeli looks forward to supporting the Spanish speaking community of ECE educators by providing them a unique tailored experience to better support their education and lifetime goals. She is committed to the mission and vision of EDvance College, and she is passionate about helping ECE educators achieve their goals.
Rosa Belerique, M.S.
Rosa Belerique, M.S.
Rosa Belerique (she/her) serves as the Institutional Effectiveness and Institutional Research Specialist at EDvance College, bringing over 15 years of experience in higher education, with a focus on leadership roles in institutional research and effectiveness (IRE).
Rosa’s professional journey has taken her to public and private institutions as an analyst, a consultant, a director, and a vice president. It has brought Rosa the opportunity to serve more broadly as the 2021 president of the California Association for Institutional Research (CAIR), as a 2021 WSCUC Fellow, and as a WSCUC ALA graduate and mentor. She has advocated with data for broader access to tuition discounting and JEDI initiatives, reported to external agencies across shifting political climates, and hosted a conference during a pandemic, among other professional accomplishments.
She holds a Master of Science in Student Development in Higher Education and has demonstrated a consistent commitment to advancing equity, access, and excellence in postsecondary education.
Rosa serves as a higher education leader where her passion is providing the opportunity, like the one she received, of a life-changing college experience to any and all who seek it. Her dedication to creating pathways for student success reflects her own life-changing college experience, which inspires her ongoing contributions to higher education.
Sunny Martin, M.A.
Sunny Martin (she, her, hers) is the Admission and Enrollment Manager at EDvance College. She has been a dedicated educator for more than a decade, serving the community as a K-12 administrator, Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Grant Program Director, and most recently as a counseling faculty in the California Community College system. As a community college counselor, she has consistently witnessed systemic barriers and limited access for early childhood educators who were working full-time and trying to further their careers. EDvance College’s value of elevating ECE educators and transforming access to higher education that meet their individual needs has drawn her to this position. Her role in EDvance College is to ensure that each and every student who is interested in obtaining their B.A. Degrees are welcomed and evaluated holistically, recognizing the value in competency-based experience. She is excited to continue to build and assess EDvance College’s admissions and student services policy that is equity-centered and designed to serve the diverse Early Childhood Education workforce.
Sunny has completed her M.A. in Counselor Education and also holds Pupil Personnel Services Credential. She also received a B.A. in Sociology and Linguistics from University of California, Berkeley.
Faculty
Our full-time faculty members possess extensive theoretical and applied knowledge in early childhood and general education, leading our efforts in curriculum development and alignment.
Anna Arambula-Gonzalez, M.A.
Anna Arambula-Gonzalez, M.A. (she/her/ella) is the Associate Vice President of Early Childhood Studies (AVP of ECS) at EDvance College, and co-founder of the Language Justice Institute. As the AVP of ECS at EDvance, Anna oversees instruction, curriculum design and development, faculty training and development, and other initiatives to create an inclusive learning environment that empowers both students and educators to thrive. At the Language Justice Institute, Anna leads professional development projects focused on creating a more equitable early childhood workforce that prioritizes racial and linguistic diversity. Before joining EDvance, she served as Project Director of the Language Justice Initiative at the Institute for Racial Equity and Excellence.
Anna has dedicated her career to championing quality education and equitable opportunities for all children, actively contributing to numerous state-level initiatives. She served as a member of the Early Childhood Credentialing Workgroup at the California Commission for Teacher Credentialing, where she made valuable contributions to the development of an ECE Specialist Credential. She co-authored and translated the Dual Language Instructor Guide for the California Department of Education's Dual Language Professional Development Grant. She created and presented webinars and keynote addresses for Educators and Administrators in collaboration with Early Edge California and the CA Department of Education, with a specific focus on addressing the needs of multilingual learners.
Anna helps ensure equitable and full access to quality classroom experiences for multilingual learners by sharing her knowledge with those who work with them. As the Child Development Instructor/Coordinator at Madera Community College, Anna not only instructed but also supervised and mentored aspiring educators, ensuring they were well-prepared to deliver culturally sensitive and linguistically and developmentally appropriate teaching experiences. Anna extended her impact as an adjunct professor at California State University Channel Islands, San Francisco State University (CSU Fresno), Fresno City College, EDvance College, and Madera Community College, where she taught and developed courses.
She has extensive experience developing and delivering professional development in dual language learning, family engagement, and Personalized Oral Language Learning strategies. She has co-developed two Multilingual Learner Teaching Certificates at two institutions of higher education. Additionally, Anna has co-authored several publications, including "Designing Preschool Programs that Foster Bilingualism" for preschool directors, "Teacher, Teacher, What Do You See? Understanding Classroom Behaviors with Dual Language Learners" for educators, "Ensuring Equitable and Full Access to Early Learning for Multilingual Learners" for leaders and educators, and “Fruit or Vegetable? Dual Language Strategies to Expand Learning During Spontaneous Interactions” for educators, and “Designing Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Programs that Foster Bilingualism: A guide for PreK/TK Directors” for leaders.
Anna is a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies and a master's degree in early childhood education from CSU Fresno. Beyond her academic accomplishments, she is a devoted wife and a loving mother to two wonderful boys. Anna treasures quality family moments and finds joy in organizing gatherings that unite her siblings. Her life experiences as the daughter of Mexican immigrants, as a wife, mother, and as someone who has worked in the fields have deeply influenced her approach to multilingual learning and family engagement, shaping her practice in significant ways.
Anna's steadfast commitment to advancing equity and language justice in early childhood education serves as an inspiration, fostering a community of equity-driven educators and leaders dedicated to prioritizing justice, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Her belief in the pivotal role of culturally and linguistically competent educators highlights the importance of empowering diverse children, families, and communities to realize their fullest potential.
Bernadette Pilar Zermeño, Ed.D.
Dr. Bernadette Pilar Zermeño (she/ella) is a Lead Faculty - Multilingual PK-3 Specialist at EDvance College. With over twenty years of experience in early education, she is a movement maker, community mobilizer, and early childhood educator that will share successes creating, developing and teaching Transitional Kindergarten Programs, literacy and biliteracy cultivation from home to 5th grade, especially within Dual Immersion Programs. She is passionate about facilitating lifelong learners beginning at the earliest age as a multilingual educator, teaching in PreK-University levels. She is innovative in curriculum creation with expertise in training Pre-K, Transitional and Traditional Kindergarten Teachers, and TK/K Teacher Aides, Teacher Candidates focusing on biliteracy and language development.
Bernadette builds open, trust-based relationships with students, caregivers, teammates, and community partners to support all learners, especially dedicated to helping newly arrived students and refugees with foundational social and emotional skills. Her passion and drive to support the earliest learners is taken outside of the walls of TK and into adult settings, focusing on Bay Area Preschool, TK and Kindergarten teachers.
She previously worked within Oakland Unified as a Multilingual Specialist in the ELLMA and Early Childhood department while also supporting teacher candidates at Alder, Cal State East Bay, Chabot, Merritt, and Las Positas College. She was a literacy specialist and Preschool and TK professional development provider with FLUENT SEEDS. She is currently working on gaining an administration credential and can always be found advocating for the basic needs of the community.
She has presented at a national education conference on research focusing on dual language immersion in early education and continues to research new effective ways to support language as an asset. As a trilingual, multiracial and first generation woman, she received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with Emphasis in Early Childhood at Mills College and holds an MA in Education with a bilingual multiple subject teaching credential and a BA in Psychology from the University of California at Berkeley. Bernadette is National Board Early Generalist Certified.
Bernadette has an unbridled passion for early education and developmentally appropriate practices. She served on the California Kindergarten Association Board of Directors as Treasurer for over six years and now is a board member for Forest and Tree. When not teaching, Bernadette loves to scuba dive with sharks, read anything and everything and watch her children dance ballet folklorico or learn to skateboard. Bernadette truly believes in reflecting and building on assets, just like EDvance!
Casey Federico, M.S.Ed.
Casey Federico (she, her, hers) is a Full Time Faculty at EDvance College. Casey brings more than twenty years of experience in early childhood education to her work with EDvance College, having worked as a toddler and preschool teacher, director of a family support center, Head Start Associate Director, curriculum developer, trainer, and coach. Casey is an advocate for welcoming early childhood spaces for ALL families and educators, and specializes in supporting multilingual communities and classrooms. Over the last decade, Casey’s work has focused on engaging, relevant math and STEAM experiences for children and for adults. Currently a consultant to numerous Bay Area school districts, the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood, and the Exploratorium, Casey is deeply committed to equitable, meaningful, and accessible support for the early childhood workforce.
She is a graduate of Stanford University and the Bank Street College for Education in New York City, where her thesis explored the role of welcoming physical environments in supporting families with young children in diverse, multilingual programs. Through her work at EDvance, she hopes to share her passion for engaging, relevant STEAM education for children and adults. Casey is a proud parent raising two bilingual, bicultural daughters in San Francisco; and loves building, making, and tinkering. Casey is thrilled to work with the EDvance team and students in creating powerful learning experiences for young children and the incredible adults who care for them.
Jennifer Ventura, M.A.
Jennifer Ventura (Ella/she/hers) is a Full-Time Faculty member at EDvance College. With over twenty years of experience in early childhood education, she has served in various roles within diverse communities in the Bay Area. Her roles have included ECE educator, early childhood interventionist, developmental inclusion coach, instructional coach, and trainer.
Jennifer's teaching philosophy focuses on creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment. She emphasizes a student-centered approach that values diversity and promotes critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Development with a concentration in Young Children and Families, a master's degree in Education focusing on Early Childhood, and a certificate in Inclusive Early Childhood Practices from San Francisco State University. Her passion for children's learning and growth drives her dedication to sharing knowledge with educators through a reflective practice model.
During her free time, Jennifer enjoys traveling to new places, spending time with her family and friends, and relaxing. At EDvance College, Jennifer is dedicated to helping students embrace their educational journey and create connections between theoretical learning and real-world application through collaborative peer learning and reflective conversations.
Katie Mervin, M.A.
Katie Mervin (she, her, hers) is a Lead Faculty - Infant/Toddler Specialist at EDvance College. She had the opportunity to work in multiple early learning centers and with different ages, which offered a variety of experiences as a developing teacher. These experiences provided exposure to many philosophies, funding and structural models, that promoted her interest in how to promote best practices across the field. Her interest in supporting teachers in their own stages of development grew during this time, which led her to the work with the CA Early Childhood Mentor Program where she served as a mentor teacher, then one of first virtual mentor teachers in the state, and finally as a member of the steering committee.
In addition to her work in the classroom Katie worked with UCSB’s Koegel Autism Center as a behavioral therapist and followed that work as a Child Development and Behavioral Specialist in an early intervention program. Her interest in supporting children and families with differing needs blossomed and led to her involvement with the Central Coast Autism Spectrum Center where she developed the day-to-day plans for Camp Expedition and served as camp director for many years. Her continued passion for this work has culminated in her fellowship in Early Relational Health at UMass Chan Medical School.
Katie has also had the honor of being child development faculty at both Cerro Coso College and Cuesta College, as well as the Director of the Cuesta College Children's Center and Lab School where she obtained the CCAMPIS grant to provide financial support for student parents.
Katie’s most recent work has been with the Santa Barbara County Education Office and San Luis Obispo County Office of Education where she wrote successful CAI grant proposals to gain funding for the early care and education apprentice programs. She has become skilled at building non-traditional apprenticeship programs and implementing them while keeping students current and future work and education goals at the heart of the programs.
Katie attended Pacific Oaks College where she obtained her BA and MA in Human Development. As a single mother of an amazing son her time in school was strenuous but created such an appreciation for the sacrifices of the ECE workforce in order to learn and grow in order to support children and families.
Katie feels profoundly grateful for the opportunity to inspire and support EDvance students in their quest to enhance their knowledge and skills, ultimately elevating the standing and impact of the early care and education field.
Liz Alvarado, Ph.D.
Dr. Liz Alvarado (she/her/ella) is the Lead Faculty in the Bilingual Early Childhood Studies Program at EDvance College. With over two decades of experience in education, Dr. Alvarado is a distinguished expert in bilingual education and early childhood development. Dr. Alvarado has a robust background that includes owning and operating a Spanish immersion preschool and teaching educational leadership at the college level. She is passionate about student-centered learning and employs innovative strategies to promote biliteracy and whole-child development.
A respected voice in the field, Dr. Alvarado’s research and advocacy have earned accolades. Her work has been featured in national conferences and publications, shaping best practices in multilingual and early childhood education. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Urban Schooling from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master’s Degree in Education Policy and Management from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her credentials include a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential with a specialization in bilingual education and a California Child Development Program Director Permit.
Beyond academia, she finds joy in family, outdoor adventures, art, and music. At EDvance College, Dr. Alvarado is committed to cultivating future bilingual educators and leaders who will empower the next generation of multilingual learners.
Adjunct Faculty
Comprised of seasoned ECE and General Education practitioners, our adjunct faculty brings a wealth of practical experience into our classrooms.
Angela Cabrera, M.S.
Angela Cabrera (She/her/ella) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. Her career in early care and education has spanned over 15 years, during which she has made significant contributions as both an educator and a program administrator. Her passion for nurturing young minds and dedication to systemic improvements in education have defined her professional journey.
Angela is a fierce advocate for young children and their families, teachers, and the broader educational system. She is committed to championing the rights and needs of the most vulnerable populations, ensuring that every child has access to high-quality education. During her career, she has developed and implemented programs to support capacity building in cultivating culturally and linguistically relevant early learning experiences and environments for every child.
Her work is deeply rooted in the belief that equitable education is the foundation for a just society. In her current role, Angela focuses on promoting equity within the early childhood education (ECE) workforce and ensuring access to high-quality early care and education. She works tirelessly to address disparities in the ECE system, advocating for fair wages, professional development opportunities, career advancement, and inclusive practices that support diverse families and communities.
Angela’s professional philosophy centers on holistic development, equity, and lifelong learning. She believes in creating nurturing environments that support the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth of children. Her approach involves engaging families and communities as partners in education, fostering inclusive practices, and continuously advocating for the professionalization and recognition of the ECE Workforce.
She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Universidad de Santo Tomás in Bogota, Colombia, where she developed a strong foundation in understanding child development and behavior. She furthered her expertise by earning an M.S. in Educational Leadership from Mills College, equipping her with the skills to lead and inspire change within educational institutions and beyond.
Angela was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, and she enjoys all types of music and dancing, as well as experimenting with cooking new recipes. She currently lives in the Bay Area, California, with my husband, where we love the multicultural vibe.
Barbara Johnck, M.A.
Barbara Johnck (she/her/ella) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. With over 20 years of experience as an educator and program administrator, Barbara has a deep understanding of early childhood development and effective pedagogical strategies. She has dedicated the last 15 years to designing professional development programs for adult learners, focusing on inclusive, culturally responsive, and equity-centered teaching practices.
Barbara’s expertise spans Social and Emotional Development, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), inclusive environments, supporting students with special needs and/or challenging behaviors, and implementing anti-bias/anti-racist education. Barbara is skilled at creating training and coaching systems that enhance the capacity of Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten Teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators to meet the needs of their diverse students and families, fostering collaboration, aligning curriculum, and using data and reflection for continuous improvement. At the core of Barbara’s educational philosophy is the importance of establishing collaborative relationships with school communities to create affirming and joyful learning environments so that children, families and school staff can participate as their whole selves.
As a Program Administrator in San Francisco Unified School District’s Early Education Department (EED), Barbara played a key leadership role in creating and establishing the EED’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Behavioral Response to Intervention (B-RTI) system. These initiatives have enhanced the capacity of educators to reflect on their teaching practices to meet the social-emotional and behavioral needs of students, ultimately improving the quality of early childhood education across the District. Barbara also developed and oversaw the department-wide implementation of the Kimochis SEL Curriculum, and established a centralized referral system to support students with challenging behaviors and social-emotional needs, ensuring educators had timely access to essential resources and coaching support.
She earned a B.S. in Mass Communications/Public Relations from Boston University and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Mills College. She also holds an Early Childhood Special Education Teaching Credential and an Administrative Services Credential.
Born in Mexico and raised in Southern California, Barbara now lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two children. She enjoys cooking, dancing, traveling, camping, and spending quality time with family and friends. Barbara is excited to join the EDvance community and eager to bring her passion for early childhood education to EDvance College!
Beth-Kara Dawkins, Ph.D.
Dr. Beth Kara Dawkins (she/her/hers) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. She has been in the field of Education for almost 25 years, with experience teaching Pre-Kindergarten and First Grade for five years and at a bilingual school in Mexico for one year. Beth-Kara also brings more than10 years experience as a college professor and enjoys teaching adults more about early childhood learning and development.
Her doctoral dissertation focused on early literacy and reading behaviors of young children and explored the various ways literature can be used to teach academic content as well as support social-emotional learning and development. One of her areas of ongoing research is exploring book selection patterns in young readers and factors influencing how early childhood readers select and reselect books to read. She has published scholarly articles in credible education journals, and given national and international presentations highlighting her research, data and recommendations on supporting literacy development in young scholars. Beth-Kara enjoys working in collaboration with colleagues, participating in program and curriculum development, contributing to accreditation activities, and engaging in ongoing professional development and learning.
She believes all students can learn and improve, and it is the responsibility of the faculty, staff and program/curriculum to provide a learning environment where all students can improve and reach their maximum potential. She enjoys working with students of all backgrounds and abilities and seeing them grow in content knowledge and confidence to be effective, impactful educators in the community. During her tenure as a college/university professor, Beth-Kara has been recognized for being an outstanding educator and a supportive colleague due to her ability to build strong student relationships, her leadership and organizational capabilities, and expertise in the areas of early literacy and children’s literature.
In addition to being a college/university professor, Beth-Kara is also a children’s book author who currently has four published children’s books. She enjoys spending time with her family and supporting her wonderful son, Cam, with his school and extracurricular activities, as well as caring for her garden.
Beth-Kara matriculated at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Development), the University of Florida (Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Ph.D in Early Childhood, Families and Literacy), and she earned her teaching certification in 2000, for early childhood and elementary grades. She is excited to be a part of the team at EDvance College and continue to provide instruction, scholarship and student support in the field of Early Childhood Education.
Christian Patterson, M.S.
Christian Patterson (he, him, his) is an Adjunct Faculty and Writing Coach at EDvance College. Christian’s professional journey in early childhood education has spanned across educational, regulatory, marketing, and advocacy roles. These included working in classrooms with children 12 weeks to five years, serving as a Licensing Program Analyst for CCLD, and serving on councils for both NAEYC and EveryChildCA. These experiences provided exposure to the many facets of the early childhood education field and provided the opportunity to support the community as the Local Planning Council Coordinator for Santa Barbara County.
Christian has a B.S. in Early Childhood Studies from Purdue University Global and an M.S. is Early Childhood Development with a concentration in teaching adults in the early childhood field from Walden University. Christian is thrilled to be a part of EDvance College and support its mission. Teaching others to advocate for themselves is one of Christian’s passions. Christian believes that confidence and competence are key elements to student success and he hopes to support these qualities by building community and supporting student success both in the program and in their extended professional journeys.
Gladys Villanueva, M.A.
Gladys M. Villanueva (Ella/She/Her) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College, specializing in Multilingual Multicultural Education. With over 10 years of experience in Early Ed. and six years in higher education, Professor Villanueva is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment that encourages students to grow both academically and personally. Her work bridges the gap between theory and practice, allowing future educators to develop practical skills grounded in research-based, culturally sustaining pedagogy.
Professor Villanueva joined EDvance College in 2025, bringing with her a passion for student success and a dedication to shaping the next generation of educators. Her collaborative spirit and commitment to continuous improvement align well with EDvance’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality education for diverse learners.
In her teaching, Professor Villanueva emphasizes the importance of student-centered learning, encouraging critical thinking and reflection. She strives to create an interactive classroom environment that supports active participation, practical problem-solving, and testimonial pedagogy.
Professor Villanueva has been recognized for her cross disciplinary experiences with bilingual teachers in the Central Valley through her community involvement with Arte Américas in downtown Fresno, CA and innovative teaching methods with the Sanger Teacher Residency Program. She has served as the President of the Central California Chapter of the California Association for the Education of Young Children and is currently serving as the Professor-in-Residence of the Madera Teacher Residency Program.
She holds a Master’s in Education, with an option in Multilingual Multicultural Education and a Bachelor of Science in Child Development - Practitioner option from California State University, Fresno. She is an AmeriCorps alumni, having served as a tutor and team leader for Jumpstart Fresno State early in her undergraduate career. As an AmeriCorps tutor, she first learned the importance of serving young children in low-income neighborhoods and promoting early literacy.
Professor Villanueva is excited to continue her work at EDvance College, where she is dedicated to empowering students to become compassionate, effective educators in the ever-evolving field of early childhood education working with culturally and linguistically diverse students.
Guadalupe Díaz Lara, Ph.D.
Dr. Guadalupe Díaz Lara (she/her/ella) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. Previously, Dr. Díaz Lara worked as a Research Associate at the Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) and as Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, Irvine, where she focused on improving early educational outcomes and family partnerships for bilingual children and families. She has over 10 years of experience teaching courses in early childhood development and education.
Dr. Díaz Lara’s teaching and research is focused on connecting research, policy, and practice to understand, elevate, and address factors that influence the educational experiences of children and families from diverse backgrounds, especially, Latinx families and Dual Language Learners/English Learners. Additionally, she explores the systemic barriers families experience accessing social services and community resources to support their children and empower their families. She has published multiple peer-review articles, presented at national and international conferences and implemented workshops for practitioners and parents focused on the educational experiences of diverse children and their families, as well as the positive development of young children.
As a first-generation college student, Dr. Díaz Lara understands the challenges that students can face in the classroom. Therefore, in her teaching she focuses on creating safe learning spaces to support high-quality education that provides students with knowledge and skills to work with diverse families and communities. She intentionally integrates diverse perspectives into the curriculum, creates opportunities for practical application and skill development, and applies multiple teaching tools to support diverse learning styles.
As part of her commitment to high-quality teaching, Dr. Díaz Lara is committed to ongoing professional development including attending workshops to improve her teaching including creating inclusive classrooms, using generative AI as a learning tool, and encouraging writing as a reflective tool to improve educational practices.
Dr. Díaz Lara has received multiple awards and fellowships for her dedication to research, service to the community, and mentoring of students. These include the 2023 Outstanding Service Award, 2024 Scholarly and Creative Activities Award, the English Learner Leadership & Legacy Initiative (ELLLI) Fellow, the Tom Angell Fellowship for Mentorship Excellence, and the National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families Early Career Fellowship Award. She received her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University with an emphasis on early childhood development.
In her free time Dr. Díaz Lara enjoys spending time with her daughter and dog, boxing, cooking, hiking and reading books.
Jenny Brito, M.A.
Jenny Brito, M.A. (she/her/ella) is an Adjunct Faculty and Writing Coach at EDvance College.
For over 15 years, Jenny has supported non-profit organizations in achieving their goals and driving change to improve the lives of immigrants, minority groups, and at-risk communities. Her work has included developing high-quality writing content and training materials, equipping professionals with the tools they need to create meaningful impact. With a passion for fostering equity and inclusion, she has collaborated extensively with early childhood educators and advocates for practices that center on the well-being of children, adolescents, and families.
As an instructor, Jenny is deeply committed to meeting each student where they are and ensuring they have the resources, encouragement, and guidance to succeed. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes empathy, individualized support, and fostering a learning environment where every student feels valued, capable, and prepared to thrive. She continually seeks innovative ways to empower her students, helping them build the skills and confidence needed to create meaningful change.
Jenny holds a B.A. in Psychology with a focus on Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies and a Master’s degree from Alliant International University, broadening her expertise in psychology. This academic foundation brings a unique perspective to her work, supporting equity-driven teachers and professionals in using writing to advocate for justice, reflect on their practice, and effectively communicate with diverse families.
A proud boy mom, wife, and lover of nature, Jenny enjoys traveling, hiking trails, and spending time exploring the outdoors with her family. Committed to the mission of EDvance College, she is honored to play a role in shaping a generation of educators who will transform the lives of young children and their communities.
Lucero Irizarry, M.A.
Lucero Irizarry, M.A. (she/ella), is an Adjunct Faculty and Writing Coach at EDvance College.
Lucero has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education across California. She has held various roles throughout her career and holds a master’s degree in Human Development with a specialization in Leadership in Education & Human Services from Pacific Oaks College, along with a California Child Development Program Director Permit.
In her current role, Lucero supports system-wide quality improvement efforts for early learning programs. She also provides individualized coaching, leads professional learning communities, and develops resources and support strategies that integrate best practices in early childhood education with adult learning principles.
An active leader in the field, Lucero serves as an elected Board Member of the East Bay Chapter of California AEYC and previously held the roles of President and Board Director for the Inland Empire Chapter of California AEYC. She remains engaged in various committees, contributing her expertise to advancing the profession.
Outside of her work, Lucero enjoys visiting local beaches, practicing yoga, exploring farmers' markets, and savoring a good cup of coffee.
Lucía Alcalá, Ph.D.
Dr. Lucía Alcalá (she/her) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. She received her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of California Santa Cruz with an emphasis on cross-cultural studies. Previously, Dr. Alcalá worked as Postdoctoral Fellow at CINVESTAV in Merida, Yucatan Mexico, where she conducted ethnographic research with Yucatec Maya children and families. She has over 10 years of experience teaching courses in early childhood development and cognitive development.
Dr. Alcala’s teaching and research is focused on how children develop the initiative to help at home and in the community, as active contributors of their own development focusing on the role of cultural values and expectations across communities (Maya, Mexican-immigrant, and European American). Additionally, she explores how these experiences at home contribute to children’s executive function skills and learning processes. She has published multiple peer-review articles, presented at national and international conferences and has collaborated with Indigenous community organizations in Mexico.
As a first-generation college student, Dr. Alcalá understands the challenges that students can face in the classroom and designs her courses with a social justice perspective. Therefore, her teaching centers diverse perspectives into the curriculum, includes authors from diverse backgrounds, creates opportunities for practical application (integrating service-learning components) and skill development, and applies multiple teaching strategies to support diverse learning styles.
Dr. Alcalá’s scholarly achievements have earned her several awards, including the SRCD’s Latinx Caucus career excellence award, and fellowships like the US Fulbright Scholar (2022). She has received multiple grants, including from the National Science Foundation. Dr. Alcalá is dedicated to mentoring undergraduates, junior faculty, and graduate students and has received multiple awards as faculty advisor of distinction and several research grants to support student mentorship in research.
In her free time Dr. Alcalá enjoys spending time with her children, participating in 10K runs, listening to Podcasts, and reading books in Spanish.
Michelle Banh, M.A.
Michelle Banh, M.A., is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. Embarking on a transformative journey that spans over two decades, Michelle has been intricately woven into the tapestry of early childhood education, tracing her roots back to a formative experience as a child development intern during high school. This humble beginning ignited a lifelong commitment to the nurturing and development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Influenced profoundly by the pioneering work of Magda Gerber, Michelle tirelessly pursued certification from the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC), establishing a resilient foundation for delivering exceptional care and education during those pivotal early years. With unwavering conviction, she holds the belief that the optimal learning environment for children is one characterized by warmth, support, nurturance, and respect, valuing and celebrating individual and cultural differences.
In recent years, Michelle has directed her earnest efforts towards fortifying the early childhood education (ECE) workforce. As an educator, she champions a guiding principle that transcends her role – before being an educator, she is a perpetual learner. This principle shapes her approach, enabling her to tailor learning experiences for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and adult caregivers or educators alike.
Assuming roles as a trainer, mentor, and adjunct faculty member, Michelle actively engages with adult learners, playing a pivotal role in their professional development. Her unwavering commitment extends to creating safe and enriching spaces for the next generation, where each child's unique potential is not only acknowledged but passionately nurtured.
Approaching her work with a blend of educator's humility and learner's curiosity, Michelle eagerly anticipates sharing her insights and experiences at the upcoming conference. With her guiding influence, let us collectively strive to elevate the standards of early childhood education, fostering a lasting impact on the lives of our future leaders under Michelle Banh's dedicated stewardship.
Ruby Turalba, Ed.D.
Dr. Ruby N. Turalba-Khalil (she/her/isuna/siya) is Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. She is a second-generation Pinay with ancestral roots in La Union, Philippines. Ruby grew up on Luiseno and Kumeyaay native lands and spent her entire adulthood residing on unceded Ohlone territory.
As an educator for 15+ years, Ruby integrates cultural humility, critical pedagogy, and personal narratives to explore social inequities among marginalized populations. She has been an ally to 2000+ undergraduate and graduate students, many who identify as low-income, immigrant, multilingual, and first-generation college students of color. Her published works have focused on college students’ understanding of identity, intersectionality, and oppression; and pedagogy to support their learning and empowerment. Dr. Turalba-Khalil’s teaching is deeply informed by bell hooks and Paulo Freire, and her community research builds on critical race theory and community cultural wealth. Recognizing her commitment to education, Ruby was distinguished as Faculty of Excellence in Higher Education and Civic Engagement.
Ruby received her Doctorate in Education from San Francisco State University (SFSU) with an emphasis in Educational Leadership. Her dissertation research elevated the voices of Filipina/x/o students, families, and teachers, and her study revealed that the Filipino language program at their San Francisco school is an anchor for radical community healing. Partnering with other parents and community members, Ruby has advocated to preserve, strengthen, and sustain San Francisco Unified School District’s Filipino language programs. Dr. Turalba-Khalil has led community-based research initiatives to improve the health and well-being of Filipina/x/os in San Francisco, and has presented at professional conferences including the American Educational Research Association, American Public Health Association, Society for Public Health Education, and Filipino American National Historical Society. She serves as a School Communities Advisory Board member for San Francisco’s Filipino Cultural Heritage District and she was celebrated at Kahayágan, an art installation on the windows of the Children’s Creativity Museum honoring Filipina/x/o change makers and leaders. Ruby also holds a Master's in Public Health from SFSU and a BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley.
When she’s not teaching, Ruby loves working in the garden, cooking homegrown meals with her spouse of 20+ years and their two amazing teens (both of whom were born at home and unschooled), snuggling the cat, and practicing self-care. A “fun fact” is that she hiked-and-biked from San Francisco down the Central Coast hauling kids and gear in a bike trailer.
Dr. Turalba-Khalil is excited to work alongside EDvance College’s cadre of equity-driven early childhood educators and leaders. In all her commitments, Ruby works for community, health, and justice!
Sandy McKeithan, M.A.
Sandy McKeithan (she/her) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. She has been working in the field of Early Education and Family Services in a variety of roles for over 30 years. Sandy has taught infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in various programs, including private, nonprofit, and parent co-ops. Since 2012, she has worked in Head Start and state-funded programs, providing the best possible services to our community’s most vulnerable children and families. She has served as an Education Manager, Program Director, trainer, and coach. Sandy is currently working in a San Francisco Head Start program as a Center Manager and is enjoying spending her days with children again. She has also served as a parent educator and has spent over ten years as higher education faculty.
Sandy received her BA in Child Development from San Jose State University and her MA in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College. She is a certified CLASS Affiliate Trainer, a certified PITC Trainer, and has been an Authorized Teaching Pyramid Trainer. She is currently working toward a certificate in Trauma-Equipped Care and believes that learning best occurs through hands-on experiences that allow individuals to apply learned concepts to real-life situations.
In her personal life, Sandy is the mom of three amazing adult children, including two with special needs. While raising her autistic son, she has made it her life’s work to ensure that teachers have the tools they need to help all children thrive and to see the child as an individual before they see the disability. She is also currently living with her two fur babies and enjoys spending her free time exploring all that this wonderful city has to offer.
Sara Sutherland, M.A.
Sara Sutherland (she/her) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. Sara has worked in many sectors of the Early Childhood field - teacher, master teacher, administrator, adjunct faculty, early childhood policy, coach and trainer - and all of these experiences have informed my understanding and knowledge of our craft and practice. She loves that she gets to learn so deeply from others around her!
In her work as a master teacher, she had the opportunity to think deeply about pedagogy and how it intertwined her identity as an early childhood practitioner. This led to a research focus on the connections between people’s deep identities and how they show up in the classroom as reflective, innovative practitioners. Sara is especially interested in how classroom documentation practices serve to support teacher identity, and her research focused on the practice of writing learning stories. This focus on identity has been a through line of her work in multiple settings. Sara is also deeply committed to supporting teacher identity and practice in outdoor settings.
Sara has presented at AERA, the National Association of Laboratory Schools (NALS) annual conference, and several Learning Story conferences. Her pedagogical approach focuses on connecting with individual identities AND a stance of openness. She is constantly learning different modalities of how students learn and communicate their learning. Sara is committed, as an instructor, to explore and understand many modalities of participation and honoring lived experiences.
Sara is a graduate of UC Davis (BS, Human Development with a concentration in Infant-Toddler studies) and Mills College (MA, Early Childhood Leadership).
When Sara is not immersed in early childhood thinking, she is a parent in a blended family of four kids and two moms and is learning about herself every day! She also loves knitting, traveling, gardening and creating (sometimes by accident) the perfect meal.
Stephanie Joseph, M.S.
Stephanie Joseph is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. She has eighteen years of experience in early childhood education, having held various roles for non-profit agencies. These roles include Center Director, Regional Manager, Education Manager, and trainer.
Throughout her studies, she became interested in Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, concerning the cultural connection between educators, children, and families, and the impact on student outcomes. This led to narrowing her focus on building capacity to support families and educators in the area of oral language and literacy development.
Her teaching philosophy focuses on creating a student-led learning environment that supports innovative strategies for critical thinking and collaboration through an inclusive approach. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Education from California State University East Bay.
During her free time, she enjoys baking, engaging in active activities, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends.
As a committed agent in the Education field, I strive to make advancements in research, support educator learning, and ensure that all children have access to high-quality care and education.
Tina Luera, M.A.
Tina Luera (she/her/hers) Early Childhood Studies, Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. Tina’s journey into the field of Early Childhood Studies began with a passion for children’s education. Growing up in Fresno, California, Tina always found herself drawn to nurturing environments and learning opportunities. Her journey took her through California State University, Fresno, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development. It was here that her commitment to education and child psychology began to take shape. After completing her undergraduate studies, Tina pursued a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at National University, further deepening her understanding of the emotional and developmental needs of young children. Armed with academic knowledge and dedication, Tina embarked on a career that would span over two decades in higher education.
Tina’s career path led her to State Center Community College District, where she found her calling teaching Child Development. For the past 21 years, she has enriched the lives of countless students, imparting not only knowledge but also a deep respect for the developmental stages of childhood. Her tenure at Madera College, spanning 17 years, stands as a testament to her commitment and expertise in the field.
Beyond the classroom, Tina has been actively involved in various educational organizations, including serving as an Executive Board Member for the Madera Local Planning Council. Her contributions to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC), and California Community College Early Childhood Educators (CCCECE) highlights her advocacy for quality early childhood education.
Tina is excited to continue to shape the future of early childhood education in her new role as an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive student-centered environment where students feel empowered to share their thoughts and experiences openly. She ensures confidentiality and encourages diverse learning opportunities. She strives to leave a lasting impact on her students and the community she serves.
Yudy Larraburu Naranjo, M.S.
Yudy Larraburu, M.S. (she/her/hers) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. She is deeply committed to fostering individual and community growth and development. As a bilingual (Spanish and English) community college educator and ECE Instructional coach, she brings extensive experience in delivering professional development support to a diverse workforce.
Prior to joining EDvance, Yudy served as a regional coordinator for the Center for Child and Family Studies at WestEd. In that role, she oversaw the San Francisco Quality Improvement System, providing customized onsite technical assistance, coaching, and training for childcare programs seeking to enhance the quality of infant/toddler early care. Her professional journey also includes experience as a Neuroscience Research Specialist, a Family Childcare Educator and owner, and a paraprofessional for children with identified special needs.
Yudy holds a BA in Psychology from San Francisco State University and a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology from California State University Fullerton. She is also a certified Infant and Toddler Specialist from the Program for Infant and Toddler Care (PITC). With a teaching philosophy rooted in collaboration, inclusivity, and reflective practices, Yudy is dedicated to creating enriching learning experiences that honor and celebrate diversity. Her passion and expertise continue to inspire and elevate the standards of early childhood education, making a lasting impact on the communities she serves.
Faculty Fellows
Our Faculty Fellows, consisting of passionate professionals, offers students the extra assistance required to excel both academically and professionally.
Jessica Phuong Hong, M.A.
Jessica Hong, MA (She/her/hers), is a Teaching Assistant at EDvance College. She is an EDvance alumna from when the program was a part of San Francisco State University. Jessica has five years of experience in the ECE field, including virtual and in-person settings. Currently, she works at an Early Head Start program in the East Bay, serving children from 0 to 18 months. During the pandemic, Jessica's commitment to early childhood education was further demonstrated as she gained valuable experience working with preschoolers and supporting educators with distance learning.
Jessica's unique trilingual skills set her apart. She is fluent in English and Vietnamese and proficient in Cantonese. She recently graduated from the University of San Francisco with her MA in Educational Technology. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education with double minors in Special Education and Public Health from San Francisco State University.
Jessica shared that the most rewarding thing about being a teacher is recognizing the changes and impact she has on the children. Seeing their innocent minds grow and dream significantly changes the world, even with big or small effects. A child’s brain is like an empty canvas; it is up to you how you want to paint it. She believes in providing children with enriched, quality education and helping them reach their highest potential.
Joyce Young, M.S.
Joyce Young (She/Her/Hers) is a Teaching Assistant at EDvance College. She has been in the ECE field for over 20 years and is currently at the largest agency serving Early Head Start and Head Start programs that oversees 4 sites in the Bayview and Visitacion Valley area for over 15 years. Previously, she worked as a teacher and administrator in private and non-profit sectors. Joyce has supported workshops at First 5 and other non-profit organizations to support ECE educators’ professional developments.
In the past, she has coordinated workshops or recruitment events with EDvance even before they started their own college. Joyce also has some colleagues and parents that she has previously worked with taking classes at EDvance.
Joyce has a BA in ECE with a minor in Special Education and a MS in Early Childhood Studies - Administration, Management, and Leadership.
Her belief when working with anyone is based on a Chinese proverb that says “Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.” She believes that if she wants students to fully understand the content, it is crucial to involve them! She feels honored to work with EDvance that embodies JEDI+B values by having roles like Teaching Assistants to provide inclusive support to students who may benefit from extra support.
Kimmie Le, M.P.A.
Kimmie Le (she, her, hers) is a Writing Coach at EDvance College. With a decade of experience in supporting families and children aged 0-18, coupled with five years in early childhood education, Kimmie brings a wealth of expertise to her role. During her academic journey, she found a particular passion for case management and writing, which continue to influence her professional approach. Her teaching philosophy revolves around the idea that learning should be fun, driven by engaging and enthusiastic teaching. Kimmie is committed to supporting educators through coaching, believing that effective teaching stems from an enjoyable and interactive environment. Volunteering has always been a significant part of her life; she has actively participated in parent associations and held leadership roles such as president and treasurer for sports programs. Outside of work, Kimmie enjoys hiking and water sports and loves creating special projects for birthdays, anniversaries, and other events.
She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Services. Her diverse background and commitment to making learning enjoyable shapes her approach to supporting educators and fostering a positive, dynamic educational environment which aligns with EDvance's values.
Kirsten Hove
Kirsten Hove (she/her) is a Portfolio Coach and Teaching Assistant at EDvance College, where she guides students through the e-portfolio creation process to showcase their development as educators. With a background rooted in supportive educational experiences and community-centered learning, she has been a valuable member of the EDvance team. Kirsten understands the demand on EDvance students because, in 2020, she also obtained a BA in Child Adolescent Development through the PATH program with EDvance, while working full-time and raising her two children.
Kirsten has been in the early childhood education (ECE) profession for 20 years, teaching and co-operating a family daycare center. Kirsten continues to grow her expertise in the field by consulting on the licensing of childcare facilities, teaching diverse age groups in classroom settings, facilitating art educational experiences, and providing in-home childcare.
Kirsten believes that everyone has something to teach and everyone has something to learn. Aren’t we lucky to have found each other!
Kowonda Perkins-Tyrell, M.A.
Kowonda Perkins-Tyrell (she/her) is a Teaching Assistant at EDvance College. She is a proud San Francisco native, although she has recently relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Her professional career in Early Childhood Education launched in 2001, which has been her passion since her youth. Kowanda’s preschool experience was filled with positive educators and peers, having inspired her to return the same love for social emotional development with families and the community of educators. Her initial connection with EDvance was formulated when she started as a METRO Academy student transferring from City College San Francisco to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development, Early Education at San Francisco State University in 2015. Lastly, Kowanda graduated with her Master’s in Counseling Psychology focusing on Community Mental Health in 2019 from California Institute of Integral Studies. She is currently working in an Autism clinic as a Certified Registered Behavior Therapist.
Her family and her professional network are personal supporters that motivate her to continue learning. Her goal is to enter a grad program in Georgia via the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) within two years. One of her favorite hobbies is eating out with friends and dancing. Recently, roller skating has also become a renewed interest in exploring. Kowanda is eager to draw on her experiences and enthusiasm for social-emotional learning to inspire the students at EDvance!
Liliana Robayo
Liliana Robayo (she/her/hers) is a Writing Coach at EDvance College. She is a native of Colombia who moved to Los Angeles in 2004 with her family. She is a Colombian American educator with more than 18 years of experience teaching Spanish to people of several ages. She has taught Spanish at different schools, conducted bilingual classes, worked in after-school programs, given private lessons, and was in charge of the Spanish program at a bilingual preschool.
As the mother of two children, Liliana realized the vital importance of early childhood education and all the advantages that come with multilingualism in our society. Her vision to help other children achieve success became a reality when she opened her bilingual preschool.
Her experience teaching has continuously granted her insight into the key role that early childhood educators play in the operations of childcare centers. Without the presence of teachers and teacher assistants, this important work could never get done. They are the pillars that make a place of learning shine.
She is married and has two adult children (Laura and Juan Pablo) and a lovely four-year-old grandson, Simon. She loves cats. She enjoys spending time with her family, eating out, contemplating the sea, and watching movies.
She has a BS in Computer Science at Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano. Though she has a background in computer science, Liliana found her true calling and passion to be working with children.
The aspect that she is most delighted about teaching at EDvance College is its mission to provide accessible, top-quality education for future childcare providers, a mission she passionately believes in. Thus, with all the experience she has gathered until this day, the opportunity to provide support to the students of EDvance College, who will go on to be those pillars in many childcare centers, is amazing to her.
Matthew Quintana
Matthew Quintana (he/him/his) is a Teaching Assistant and Writing Coach at EDvance College. Matthew kicked off his experience working with children as a preschool teacher at EDvance when it was still a part of San Francisco State University (SFSU). At SFSU, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Additionally, he has experience working with children and adults with disabilities such as Autism, ADHD, and various intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Matthew is drawn to EDvance's commitment to fostering a welcoming environment that places importance on diversity and inclusion. His prior work with EDvance involved creating lesson plans using the DRDP measures, holding weekly sessions with preschool students, and learning how to summarize a class session. These experiences have equipped him to continue making meaningful contributions to the students and ECE community at EDvance.
Tiffany Schaefer, Ed.D.
Dr. Tiffany Schaefer (she/her) is a Writing Coach at EDvance College. Tiffany has been a passionate advocate for early education since she first stepped into a toddler classroom over a decade ago. She has worked in early childhood education for 15 years, doing everything from teaching to coaching to, recently, parenting at a cooperative nursery school.
As a teacher, a motivator, and a mentor, she has helped create empowering environments that engage children and demonstrate measurable learning objectives. Tiffany has conducted professional development training for teachers about various topics, including setting up STEM curriculum opportunities in a PreK classroom and using reflection as a method of documentation. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the student-centric idea that learning can and should look different for everybody. She believes in relentless curiosity, a growth mindset, and an approach to challenges that embrace lifelong learning.
With a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, specializing in ECE, from Mills College in Oakland, CA, Tiffany's work is deeply collaborative. Her research, which focused on using reflection to address preservice teachers' implicit biases, is a testament to her passion for improving early childhood education. She was awarded an honor for Commitment to Social Justice after completing her research. She has built on that experience to further her curiosity and explore different topics as they arise in early childhood education. She has presented at conferences, including NAEYC and CAAEYC, on issues such as storytelling, making, and agency by design. Tiffany looks forward to bringing her experience to EDvance to connect with outstanding early childhood educators to help them reach for and beyond their goals.
Board
The EDvance College Governing Board is comprised of a diverse range of leaders, including experts in nonprofit management, higher education administration, early childhood education, and workforce development. With a diversity of perspectives ranging from alumni to Native American leadership, the Governing Board ensures fiscal and administrative oversight in alignment with our mission, vision, and values while supporting the creation of a sustainable and strategic future for the college.
Ashley Williams, Ed.D.
Ashley C. Williams, Ed.D. is the Head of ECE Talent Pathways & Strategic Initiatives where she leads the organization’s workforce strategy to expand the pipeline of qualified, diverse talent pursuing careers in early education. Dr. Williams lends decades of experience to her role as her work over the years is situated in the nexus of early learning, family engagement, higher education, and policy with a specific focus on early educators.
She has worked in several roles in early care and education, including serving as a Jumpstart Corps Member and team leader where she started her ECE journey. She continued on to become a preschool teacher, Head Start center director, and early childhood teacher educator at the undergraduate and master’s levels at SF State. She is the former Associate Director of EDvance and served as the Senior Quality and Workforce Analyst for the San Francisco Office of Early Care and Education. Prior to returning to Jumpstart as a part of the organization’s leadership team, Dr. Williams was the Director of California Policy and Educator Engagement Programs for the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. Her professional work extends internationally as she co-led a study abroad service-learning program in ECE settings in South Africa and New Zealand. Dr. Williams is also a Policy Fellow at the National Black Child Development Institute.
Overall, Dr. Williams’ daily work is rooted in contributing to early learning systems in ways that explicitly reveal, dissolve, and resolve systemic inequities that cause harm to children, families, and the educators that work with them- especially when they are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Dr. Williams earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership at SF State where she also earned her B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development and an M.A.Ed. with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education.
Carlton Underwood, Ed.D.
Dr. Carlton Underwood has filled a wide range of administrative, finance, and leadership positions with the Northern Arapaho Tribe for over two decades. Carlton is a member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe and was raised on the Wind River Indian Reservation in the community of Ethete, Wyoming. Carlton has remained in Ethete, a vital center of Arapaho culture, for most of his life.
Dr. Underwood currently serves as the Fiduciary Officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Carlton was also the former Administration and Finance Officer for Akiptan, Inc., a Native American Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that serves Native American agriculture producers. Before assuming this position, Carlton served in various leadership capacities for the Northern Arapaho Tribe, including the Executive Director of Social Services, Tribal Health Director, Chief Compliance Officer for the healthcare system, and Chief Executive Officer.
Carlton started work with the Northern Arapaho Tribe in January 2000 in their Accounting Department, working with federally funded grant programs documenting the financial reports as required. He then worked as the Controller for the Tribe before seeking election to the Northern Arapaho Business Council in 2002. Carlton served two years on the Council, serving as the Co-Chair of the Tribe. He then served in various accounting capacities with the Shoshone & Arapaho Tribes, Wind River Tribal College, and as Chief Financial Officer for the Northern Arapaho Tribe.
Dr. Underwood began his higher education endeavors at Central Wyoming College, where he attained an Associate of Science degree in accounting in 1997. He has served as a Central Wyoming College board member since 2012. Carlton continued his studies at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, graduating with his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1999. He then pursued his Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, graduating in 2010. Carlton started his online studies in the Organizational Change and Leadership program with the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in 2018, graduating with his Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Change and Leadership in 2022.
Cheryl Polk, Ph.D.
For more than 25 years, Dr. Cheryl Polk has promoted healthy child development, especially for children at risk of school failure and their families, through her work as a psychologist, academic, and civic volunteer. She is the former Chief Program Officer for the San Francisco not-for-profit organization, Safe & Sound. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, Cheryl established and implemented the overall programmatic vision of Safe & Sound, including family and community advocacy, holistic and strength-based family services, and educational programs. As a San Francisco Early Head Start Board member, Cheryl helped increase access to care for minority children from under-represented immigrant families. She has also served as the Executive Director for the Mimi and Peter Haas Fund and the LSP Family Foundation. Her insight into early childhood development and philanthropy helped create innovative intervention programs for children exposed to community and interpersonal trauma. Finally, Cheryl served on the board of Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families (ZTT) from 2001-2018, including as Board President from 2009-2011. During her time at ZTT and, previously, while a therapist for UCSF's Infant-Parent Program, Cheryl learned that "how you are is as important as what you do." Her supervisor and mentor, the late Dr. Jeree Pawl, another former ZTT Board President, frequently instilled this proverbial saying into Cheryl and her colleagues when they trained to practice infant-parent psychotherapy. Cheryl has carried Dr. Pawl’s words with her throughout her distinguished career in Behavioral Health, Philanthropy, and Nonprofit Management.
Diane Carnahan, Ed.D.
Dr. Diane Carnahan served as President of Teachers College of San Joaquin (TCSJ) from 2015-2022. Established in 2009, Teachers College of San Joaquin is the first graduate school of education founded by a county office of education and has received regional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior Colleges and Universities Commission (WSCUC) and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). Diane played a formative role in the College’s establishment, overseeing the creation of a unique and innovative space to grow quality educators from the local communities. She was responsible for the college’s fiscal and strategic planning, oversaw all master’s degree offerings, as well as the credentialing of teachers and administrators. Diane has taught K-5th grades and worked with teachers, students, and community members over the last 40 years. She has been a consultant on a variety of California Department of Education committees; Regional Director for WestEd's K-12 Alliance organization, provided professional development activities in math and science and served as a teacher consultant with the Bay Area Writing Project. Particular areas of interest include integration of academics and career technical education, project-based learning, creating 21st Century learning environments, and teaching practices that prepare students for college and career readiness. Dr. Carnahan has a BA from San Jose State University, a M.Ed. in Integrated Mathematics and Science from Fresno Pacific University and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of the Pacific.
Jessica Campos
A graduate of the EDvance program, Jessica Campos is the Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist for San Francisco's Office of Racial Equity (ORE). In her role, Jessica meaningfully connects ORE's work with San Francisco's culturally diverse multi-racial and multilingual communities to support its mission of rooting out racial disparities in employment, housing, criminal justice, economic advancement, health, transit, education, homelessness, and achieving equitable social outcomes. Before joining the ORE, Jessica served as the Head Start/Early Head Start program manager in District 10, serving San Francisco's most vulnerable populations. Jessica has filled mentorship and advocacy roles at different community levels, from being a youth mentor with City of Dreams to serving on the board of Early Care Educators of San Francisco. She led the pilot for SF Inclusion Network, which highlighted the inequitable access to programs and services for children of color, children with disabilities, and trauma-exposed children.
John Warner, M.P.A.
John is the CEO of Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC) in Los Angeles County. Prior to joining MMCC, John served as Chief Development and Communications Officer and interim Program Officer at The Marine Mammal Center in the San Francisco Bay Area. John’s professional background includes senior development, program, and executive management positions for local, regional, and national non-profit organizations and foundations. In addition to his professional career, John has served on various non-profit boards and raised significant funds for causes he supports. John holds a BA from the University of San Francisco and an MPA from San Francisco State University.
Kelly Stuart, Ed.D.
Kelly Stuart, Ed.D. is the President and CEO at Collaborative Classroom. This organization develops and sells literacy programs integrated with social development skills to over 40,000 new classrooms each year. Previously, she has served as a Senior Research Associate at WestEd leading dissemination for the Doing What Works (DWW) website, which translated effective research-based education practices into practical tools that support and improve classrooms. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, this website was developed by Innovation Studies at WestEd in partnership with American Institutes for Research and RMC Research Corporation.
Dr. Stuart has worked closely with national organizations, school districts, intermediaries, universities, and states to promote the awareness and use of DWW resources. In addition to her work on DWW, she has led the U.S Department of Education’s School Turnaround Learning Community, an online community for states, districts, and schools involved in turnaround efforts.
From 2006-2010, Dr. Stuart worked as the Assistant Director of Dissemination (Sales) at Developmental Studies Center (DSC), a nonprofit agency. The majority of her role focused on developing and delivering sales presentations and professional development for administrators, teachers, coaches, and after-school leaders throughout the United States and Latin America. Before working at DSC, she worked for the Success for All Foundation as the Director of Special Programs and as an Area Manager overseeing full-time professional developers for 120 schools in California and Hawaii.
Linda Griffith, J.D.
Linda began her career as a civil litigation attorney in Washington D.C. She cultivated her passion for non-profit governance throughout her 19-years as an executive of the YMCA of San Francisco. In that time, Linda filled various executive positions, including Vice President of Risk Management and Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Secretary. In addition to a career encompassing non-profit strategic planning and financial management, Linda has been a committed advocate of youth empowerment, child abuse prevention, and the application of restorative and trauma-informed practices. She has served as a thought leader for social welfare issues as a YMCA executive and through her work with the San Francisco Homeless Prenatal Program. Linda has filled the positions of Director, Former Board President, Secretary and ED Transition Committee Member throughout 12 years of service to the SF Homeless Prenatal Program.
Melanie Booth, Ed.D.
Dr. Melanie Booth joined Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in 2023 to serve as its inaugural Executive Director of HLC’s new innovation division, the Credential Lab. Prior to joining HLC, she served as Vice President of Educational Programs & Engagement with the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA); Founding Executive Director of The Quality Assurance Commons for Higher and Postsecondary Education; and Vice President of Educational Programs with WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Her college and university leadership experience includes serving as an academic dean, director of academic and student services departments, and a faculty member at various postsecondary institutions, primarily in service to new majority learners. Dr. Booth has also been an independent consultant working in the intersections of higher education; employability and work-based learning; experiential and community-engaged learning; prior learning assessment and competency-based education; alternative credentials and skills-based learning; and distance education.
Dr. Booth holds an Ed.D. in Higher Educational Leadership and Change from Fielding Graduate University, a master’s degree in English, Rhetoric and Writing from San Diego State University, and a bachelor’s degree in English, Teacher Preparation from Humboldt State University.
Michael Limosana
Michael Limosana, CPA inactive, Treasurer is a Managing Partner of Triton Property Investments LLC, based in Woodside, California. He has enjoyed a long-standing career in the for-profit sector. Michael began his career in public accounting; he manages funds exceeding 50 million dollars. As the Managing Partner of Triton, Michael oversees daily operations in developing single-family and multifamily homes throughout the Midwest and California. In addition, Michael has volunteered with the Red Cross, where he helped support refugees with access to housing and services in Akron, Ohio. His experiences with the Red Cross emphasized that access to resources is a determining factor in lifespan developmental outcomes. These experiences inspired Michael to apply his professional skills to the non-profit sector to help enact structural changes that support equitable access to resources. Michael is deeply committed to improving educational access for the multicultural and multilingual Early Childhood workforce and the young children they serve.
Richard Winn, Ed.D.
Dr. Richard Winn's impactful career in higher education leadership and accreditation spans over three decades. He recently retired as the President of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) where he served a three-year term. Prior to his appointment as President, Dr. Winn filled the roles of ACCJC Interim President and Vice President of Operations. Dr. Winn joined ACCJC after serving in senior leadership positions for 12 years at Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
As WSCUC Senior Vice President and Vice President, Dr. Winn implemented policies, managed operations, and strengthened government relations to uphold the Commission's commitment to continuous institutional improvement in service of the public good. As WSCUC Vice President, Dr. Winn counseled over 100 institutions seeking WSCUC accreditation, including actively supporting international institutions in India, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Turkey, Prague, Peru, and Fiji. To this end, Dr. Winn facilitated the development of policies and procedures for WSCUC’s international initiatives.
Dr. Winn has held faculty and educational leadership roles at Pacific Union College and a variety of other institutions and college systems. He has also served three terms as a Member, Board of Examiners, for the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for performance excellence in the U.S. business, healthcare, education and non-profit sectors. Dr. Winn earned his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of La Verne, his M.A. degree from Theology and Philosophy from Andrews University, and his B.A. in Theology and Secondary Education from Pacific Union College.
Roseann Myers, Ed.D.
Dr Myers's experience as a professional in higher education spans over four decades. In that time, she has filled a wide range of administrative and teaching positions in academic institutions throughout the United States. Dr Myers provided vision and leadership as Foothill College's Vice President of Student Development and Instruction for over a decade. She previously served as Foothill College's Dean of the Middlefield and Evening Campuses. During her sixteen-year tenure at Foothill College, Dr Myers led initiatives to improve student services and provide representative educational experiences for diverse and underrepresented students. Dr Myers also cultivated a culture of academic diversity and inclusion at Salem Community College in New Jersey as Director of the Office of Institutional Diversity/Affirmative Action. After retiring from Foothill College, Dr Myers accepted the position of part-time lecturer at San Francisco State University, where she teaches Public Health and Social Justice courses in the Metro Program.
Advisory Committee
Comprised of local, state, and national experts, our Advisory Committee ensures our Early Childhood Studies degree remains meaningful and relevant to the early childhood workforce, helping to identify crucial content and learning activities for our graduates.
Ashley Williams, Ed.D.
Calvin Moore Jr., Ph.D.
Carla Bryant, Ph.D.
Erica Phillips, M.B.A., M.Ed.
Jennifer Pifeleti, M.A.
Joya Chavarin, Ed.D.
Lea Austin, Ed.D.
Pamm Shaw
Sandra Moore, M.A.
Yohana Quiroz, Ed.D.
