Dr. Marissa Vasquez graduated from UC Berkeley in 2005 with a B.A. in English. Marissa is an Assistant Professor in the Ed.D. Community College Leadership Program at San Diego State University.
A Chula Vista native, Marissa earned an associate degree from Southwestern College, a master’s degree in College Counseling and Student Development from the University of San Diego, and her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University.
Karina Velazquez, Events Co-Chair
Karina is a first-generation college graduate, daughter of Mexican immigrants. Karina graduated in 2015 from the University of California Berkeley, with a B.A. in Chicano Studies and a B.A. in Political Science. Karina Velazquez joined LISC San Diego in July 2017 as the AmeriCorps Program Administrator and Office Manager.
Prior to joining LISC, Karina was Program Manager at the Diamond Business Association, where she directed a number of Economic Development initiatives. Notably, before being hired full-time at the Diamond Business Association, Karina was a LISC AmeriCorps member who served the nonprofit agency.
Karina sits on several boards across the city including the Chollas Valley Neighborhood Community Planning Group and the City of San Diego's Bicycle Advisory Committee. Karina has interned for several elected officials across various levels of government and has also volunteered on a multitude of political campaigns.
Nicole Cázares Enriquez, Advisor and Past Co-Chair
Nicole Cázares Enriquez graduated with honors from Cal in 1997 with a B.A. in American Studies. Currently, she is the Principal at Sherman Academy in Sherman Heights. She is honored to work in a community dedicated to Dual Language Immersion and successfully closing the achievement gap.
Prior to this role, Nicole worked as a teacher (for 15 years) at Chula Vista Learning Community Charter (CVLCC) School and as the Dean of Students in its middle school.
Nicole is committed to fostering innovative and critically autonomous thinkers who are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities, both locally and globally. However, her most important job is raising her two spirited and loving young boys.
Arcelia Magaña, Co-Chair
Arcelia (Arcy) Magaña is a first generation college graduate, graduating from UC Berkeley in 2013 with a B.A. in Legal Studies and a B.A. in Classical Civilizations. Arcy was heavily involved in the Ch(x)icanx/ Latinx community at Cal through her participation in Latinx focused student organizations and her various leadership roles within the Chicana/Latino Student Development Office.
Arcy was born to Mexican immigrant parents and raised in Escondido, California. She earned her law degree from California Western School of Law in Spring 2016 and passed the July 2016 California Bar Exam. Arcy is currently an associate attorney at the Jackson Lewis P.C., where she practices employment law.
She loves dancing, hiking, and curling up with a good book. She is passionate about the academic advancement of Ch(x)icanxs/ Latinxs and is excited to connect with more San Diego Ch(x)icanx/ Latinx Cal alum who share that passion.
Diana Ramirez, Events Co-Chair and Scholarship Chair
Diana Ramirez is a Los Angeles native (Cudahy, CA) whose life trajectory was positively changed due to the community college system. As a 1st generation, Xicana with immigrant parents it took the efforts of a village (Family, EOPS and Puente) to help her find her journey in higher education. After attending Cerritos College, she transferred to University of California Berkeley and attained a degree in Sociology (class of 2011). At CAL, she was heavily involved in MEChXA and Chicana/Latino Student Development Office.
Diana pursued her passion to become a community college counselor after a few years of experience in the foster care system. She is the first in her family to attain her Masters. After graduating with her degree in Multicultural Counseling from SDSU she has worked as a counselor at various community colleges. She is currently a counselor and instructor at San Diego City and Grossmont College. Diana feels honored and grateful to have the opportunity to engage with students and support them on their own journey to academic and personal success.
Vacancies: Finance Chair Administrative Chair Public Relations Chair
Please reach out to us at cal.claa.sd@gmail.com if you are interested in being part of our board.