Meet our Executive Board

Marissa Vasquez, Co-Chair

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.

Francisco Loayza-Romero,
Finance Chair

Francisco Loayza-Romero was born in San Jose but raised in Modesto, California. As a son of Peruvian immigrants, Francisco knows from first-hand experience the difficulty that most individuals from the Latino community face when it comes to assimilation and pursuing higher education. Given such experience, Francisco now strives to do his part in helping students with similar backgrounds reach their goals.

Francisco earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Berkeley and his Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law. During law school, he was the Editor-in-Chief of Law Review and interned for California’s Department of Business Oversight. He was inducted into the National Order of Scribes for “Outstanding Legal Writing” because of his law review article, “The Remote Tippee Dilemma: Resolving Tippee Liability More Than Thirty Years After Dirks v. SEC.” In addition, Francisco was a mentor in California Western's Buddy Program, and the recipient of California Western’s Diane Ethics Award. Currently, he is an attorney in a litigation firm that handles high-exposure property and construction cases.

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.

Diana Ramirez, Events Co-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.

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.

Letty Fierro, Community Co-Chair

Leticia Fierro graduated from UC Berkeley in 2007 with a B.A. in Social Work and Ethnic Studies, with a minor in Education. While at Cal, she was involved with the RAZA Recruitment and Retention Center as the Outreach Coordinator, and worked as a College Advisor in East Oakland. It was while at Cal that she discovered her passion for motivating and working with youth. She moved back to San Diego upon graduation, worked for a Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. She applied was accepted into the School Counseling program at the University of San Diego. For the last 3 years she has worked as a School Counselor at Del Dios Middle School.

She loves spending time with her Spiderman obsessed son, Emiliano. Enjoys traveling and has traveled to Japan, Africa, Mexico and Barbados. She hopes to continue to work with youth and in the near future return to school and receive her Ph.D. The value in education was something she inherited from her parents, her father would always say, “they can rob your material things but no one can ever take your education from you.” She hopes to continue to be a life learner and try to make this world a better place.

Gabriel Urias, Co-Community Chair

Gabriel Urias was born and raised in the rural, San Joaquin Valley, farm community of Shafter, California. His parents are campesinos who taught him the importance of hard work, family, and community involvement. He attended Cal from 2000-2004 where he began his studies as a Civil Engineer before transitioning to Philosophy. During his time at Cal, Gabriel was the President of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity (2002-2004) and was heavily involved in the Latino community.

Gabriel is an Associate Attorney at Jan Joseph Bejar Law Corporation where he practices immigration law and removal defense. Prior to this, Gabriel worked at the ACLU on the implementation of the landmark class action lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Lopez-Venegas v. Johnson. Throughout his legal career, Gabriel has committed himself to serving immigrant communities with the care, compassion, and dignity they deserve.

Gabriel earned his Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law in 2013 and passed the February 2014 California Bar Exam. He currently works in the field of Immigration Law where he helps good/hardworking people, just like his parents, remain in the United States everyday. He hopes to continue expanding his knowledge in immigration law and eventually write policy that will positively affect immigrant communities for decades to come.

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.