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Preparing Broncos for leadership and community engagement

in Silicon Valley and beyond.

 

In light of the Latinx community being California’s largest and fastest growing minority population in California, our goal is to serve the Latinx communities of Silicon Valley and to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice for the empowerment and well-being of the Latinx community in our region, across California, and beyond.

We are committed to ensuring a successful college transition, especially for students who are the first in their families to attend college and/or are of historically disadvantaged communities. Students selected for the program will have demonstrated “ganas” and commitment to helping their families and elevating their local communities.

The SCU Latinx Leadership Incubator will leverage our location and the SCU Bronco network, with special invitations to Latinx professional leaders in Silicon Valley, to participate in our panels and workshops. As the number of new SCU transfer students grows, we hope to increase the program’s visibility and capacity to include all Latinx students.

This virtual program will activate immediate student-to-student connections and provide insight and access to campus and professional resources in Silicon Valley. We believe that with quality education, strong professional and social networks, combined with guidance and mentorship, our transfer students will rise to become active Bronco leaders on campus, in their professions, and in their communities.

Our Goals

 

Bronco Networking

Career Counseling

Community Impact

Financial Foundation

Schedule of Events

Description Time

Welcome: Buenos Dias

Eva Blanco Masias, M.A. '11, SCU VP of Enrollment Management
Lorenzo Gamboa, '03, '20, Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach, Undergraduate Admission
Jessica Cuellar, '23, Sociology Major, Santa Clara University

9am-9:50am

Getting Acquainted: Vamos a Conocernos (Icebreaker)

9:50am-10:20am 

Break

10:20am-10:30am 

Opening Address

Dr. Pedro Nava, Director of Educational Leadership & Associate Professor, SCU School of Education and Counseling Psychology

10:30am-11:30am 

Lunch Break

11:30am-12:30pm

Getting Acquainted: Vamos a Conocernos (cont.)

12:30pm-1pm

SCU Student Perspectives, Panel of LLI Alumni

Ana Amurrio, Past LLI Participant
Ahira Foster,
Past LLI Participant
Alejandra Siqueiros,
Past LLI Participant
Luis Herrera, Past LLI Participant

1pm-2pm

Accessing SCU Resources

Trista San Agustin, Director of One-Stop Enrollment Center
Lori Salazar, Associate Director, Center for Student Involvement
Katy Korsmeyer, Ph.D., Director of Special Projects, College of Arts and Sciences representing the REAL Program
Ricardo Cortez, Director of Marketing at Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship 

2pm-3pm 

Day 1 Wrap Up & Reflection                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

3pm-3:30pm
Description Time

Rock your LinkedIn Profile

Dylan Houle, Executive Director of Career Center                                                                                                                                     

9am-10am 

Break   

10am-10:15am

What is the hidden job market? How to find and create your own opportunities.

Marieli Rubio, ‘21, Partner & Director of Impact, Career Launch        

10:15am-11:30am 

Group Reflection/Assignment Share Out

11:30am-12pm 

Lunch Break

12pm-1pm

Go Anywhere from Here: Careers and Community

Veronica Toscano, '08, Chief of Staff to the Chief Privacy Officer, Cisco   
Ruben Dario Villa, '10, Founder of Fuchila Fresheners
Rosanna Alvarez, '03, Author, Storyteller, and Social Entrepreneur
Yesenia Magdaleno-Solis, '20, Community Engagement Manager - Student & Identity

1pm-2pm

Keynote Address & Closing

Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca '24, Founder of Dreamers Roadmap, Current SCU Student       

2pm-2:30pm 

LLI Program Wrap Up & Next Steps

2:30pm-3pm

Speakers Biography

  • Executive Director of Career Center, Santa Clara University
    Dylan Houle

    Dylan Houle is the executive director of Santa Clara University's Career Center. He is excited to come to work each day to help deliver on the promise of higher education for all of our students: a good job, social capital, and economic mobility in pursuit of a more humane, just, and sustainable world. Dylan has more than 15 years of experience in teaching and education, career services and alumni engagement. As someone whose own career path has not been linear, he appreciates and emphasizes the importance of developing transferable skills, building relationships, and being open-minded and adaptive. He holds a BA in English from San Francisco State University and a MS in Teaching from Fordham University. 

  • Vice President of Enrollment Management at Santa Clara University
    Eva Blanco Masias

    Eva Blanco Masias serves on the president's cabinet and oversees Undergraduate Admission, University Financial Aid, and Enrollment Services departments. Eva worked for ten years in Latino media as a leader in ad sales and marketing for several start-up operations launching into Latin American and the U.S. Hispanic market, including Fox Latin American Channel, USA Networks, Discovery Networks, and El Sitio.com. She serves on several boards and committees of local and national non-profit organizations including The Foundation of Hispanic Education and is past President of the National Catholic College Admission Association. Eva received her bachelor's degree in economics from Yale and master's in education administration from Santa Clara University.

  • Class of 2023 Sociology major - Santa Clara University
    Jessica Cuellar

    Jessica Cuellar (she/her/hers) is a San Jose native and mother of two with a deep commitment to making a positive impact on society. She is a first-generation college student who earned her associate of science degree in Administration of Justice from Evergreen Valley Community College. Focused on service to others, during her time on campus Jessica was part of the Lead Scholars program, a member of the Latinx leadership incubator, and participated in a week-long immersion with the Ignatian Center and Kino Border Initiative to provide direct humanitarian assistance and accompaniment to migrants. Currently, she is a mentor and court-appointed advocate for youth involved in the justice system with the FLY Program. She is also a LEAF (Latino Education Advancement Foundation) mentor providing support services, and advocating for educational equity for low-income Latinx Students and their families in East San Jose as they pursue higher education. 

  • Director of Educational Leadership & Associate Professor - SCU School of Education and Counseling Psychology
    Pedro E. Nava

    Pedro E. Nava completed his Ph.D. from UCLA’s Graduate School of Education in the Urban Schooling division.  His dissertation was titled Sin Sacrificio No Hay Recompensa: Apoyo as (Im)migrant Parental Engagement in Farmworking Families of the California Central Valley.   The focus of his research and teaching are in urban and rural schooling inequality, critical pedagogy and critical race theory, immigration and education, family-school-community engagement, and participatory action research. Prior to his time at UCLA, he completed a Master’s degree at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education with a specialization in administration, planning and social policy, and Bachelor’s degrees from California State University at Fresno in Liberal Studies and Chicano Studies.

What Past Participants Have to Say

Pull quote illustration

"The program has inspired me to be relentless and have more courage to network with people. Most importantly this program reminded me of the importance to never limit myself in my capabilities."

Matteo Rojas, '23, past LLI participant

"After hearing such amazing stories, I am more than inspired to believe in myself and also to know that I can make a change out there in the world! I want to create an academy or some sort of program where I would be able to help other people like myself enter the STEM field in my hometown."

Luis Herrera, '23, past LLI participant
Pull quote illustration

Past Programs

2023 Student Participants

Marcos F.
Navigate here to Marcos Fuerte '25

Hometown: Santa Clara, CA

Major: Finance

As you begin your next chapter at SCU, what are you most excited about?

I'm excited to meet new friends along the way during my stay at SCU. Being accepted to the Leavey School of Business has been an honor, and I hope to meet many fellow Broncos along the way.

Why did you choose to transfer to Santa Clara University?

I chose to transfer to Santa Clara University because of the amazing Finance program offered at the Leavey School of Business, which ranks as the top finance school in California. The Bronco Network is strong and since SCU is located in the SF Bay Area there are several internship/job opportunities available to apply.

Ivan H.
Navigate here to Ivan Hernandez '25

Hometown: Fremont, CA

Major: Finance

As you begin your next chapter at SCU, what are you most excited about?

Diving deeper in to my major and meeting other students.

Why did you choose to transfer to Santa Clara University?

I chose to transfer to SCU because of the location and to learn more about my major.

Myranda M.
Navigate here to Myranda Martinez '26

Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA

Major: Neuroscience

As you begin your next chapter at SCU, what are you most excited about?

I'm most excited to connect with the community, join clubs, and explore my new environment.

Why did you choose to transfer to Santa Clara University?

I chose to transfer to SCU because of the neuroscience program, I also found the campus to be welcoming

Elias P.
Navigate here to Elias Pedroza '26

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Major: Mechanical Engineering

As you begin your next chapter at SCU, what are you most excited about?

To learn, grow, and become involved in order to explore my potential as a future engineer.

Why did you choose to transfer to Santa Clara University?

They provided me the best value (financial aid) of the schools I applied to, and they have a great engineering program.

Zaira S.
Navigate here to Zaira Solorio '26

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Major: Management

As you begin your next chapter at SCU, what are you most excited about?

As I am beginning my first chapter at Santa Clara University, I am excited about connecting with classmates, professors, and pretty much anyone on the SCU campus. I am also equally as excited to learn and use all of the resources and programs that SCU provides.

Why did you choose to transfer to Santa Clara University?

I transferred to Santa Clara University because it is the prime school for my major, me, and my future.
I knew that in order to say I did everything I could to achieve success, applying to Santa Clara University was top priority. SCU is #1 in resources, programs, and academics and having access to these opportunities is a dream come true.

Navigate here to Isabel Espinoza

Hometown: Alviso, CA

Major: English

Navigate here to Alan Dominguez

Hometown: Mountain View, CA

Major: Public Health

Navigate here to Brandon Manriquez

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Major: English

Navigate here to Christopher Bravo

Hometown: Fullerton, CA

Major: Finance

Navigate here to Javier Martinez Covarrubias

Hometown: Napa, CA

Major: Philosophy

Navigate here to Devonny Grajeda

Hometown: Roswell, NM

Major: Computer Science (Mathematics)

Navigate here to Denae Rivera

Hometown: Hollister, CA

Major: Child Studies

Navigate here to Elizabeth Meza Rosas

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Major: Marketing

Navigate here to Milan Alas

Hometown: Napa, CA

Major: Web Design & Engineering

Navigate here to Rebecca Puga-Dempsey

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Major: Religious Studies

Navigate here to Antonio Cruz

Hometown: Stockton, CA

Major: Political Science

Navigate here to Jose Aguilar

Hometown: Santa Clara, CA

Major: Accounting