Staff

Lenika Rivas Sanchez

Program Assistant

Puente

Lenika not only comes to Puente with an impressive background and skill set, she also has a passion for wanting to be involved in equity work for underserved communities that aligns with our program mission. As a first-generation student, she attended Brown University and earned a B.S. in Environmental Science and a B.A. in Latin American & Caribbean Studies. She also spent time in Washington D.C. as an intern for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Her most recent job was with the Office of Student Affairs at Columbia University. In addition, Lenika also brings...

Read more about Lenika Rivas Sanchez

Lorren Gutierrez

Program Coordinator

EBSCC

Hello! My name is Lorren, my pronouns are they/them. I was born and raised in Los Angeles but I moved and plan to stay in the Bay Area. I love cooking and going on walks!

Read more about Lorren Gutierrez

Maika Jimenez

Transfer Specialist

CCTS

Maika (She/Her/Ella) was born in Mexico and immigrated to Pittsburg, CA when she was 3 years old. She is a first-generation, DACAmented, transfer student from Los Medanos College where she earned her associates degree in Sociology and Psychology. She graduated from UC Davis where she majored in Sociology and minored in Chicano/a Studies. After graduating from UC Davis, Maika served as a DCAC/EAOP College Adviser Fellow at Antioch High School for three years. As a Transfer Specialist, her goal is to help and support Community College students on their journey towards higher education...

Read more about Maika Jimenez

Mayzia Thompson

Program Manager

DCAC

EAOP

Mayzia was born and raised in Sacramento, California. She is a product of the Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) and Academic Talent Search (ATS) program. A wildcat for life, Mayzia graduated from The University of Arizona in 2014 with a Bachelor’s in Nutritional Sciences, with an emphasis in Dietetics. At an early age, she recognized the importance and vast impact of college readiness programs, and now takes pride in being a part of a team that is making the same positive impact on younger generations. Mayzia enjoys shopping, traveling, watching and playing...

Read more about Mayzia Thompson

Melanie Ly

Program Manager

CCTS

Melanie Ly is a first-generation Hmong American from Sacramento and is the oldest of 5. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 2021 with a BA in Psychology and minored in education. She is transitioning from a former Destination College Advising Corps College Adviser Fellow from 2021-2023 to her new role as the Program Manager with the Transfer Alliance Project. Because Melanie experienced the existing barriers and struggles to pursue her higher education, she is passionate about helping underserved and underrepresented students reach their full...

Read more about Melanie Ly

Melinda Martinez

High School Teacher Training Coordinator

Puente

Melinda Martinez identifies as a Chicana and grew up roller skating in the LA suburbs. She has her BA in English from UCLA where she fell in love with Latinx writers who reflected experiences and cultures similar to her own. This fired up her passion to teach literature, which began her 20 year journey as a high school English teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District. She feels privileged in her role working with amazing teachers across the state to support underrepresented students as the High School Teacher Coordinator for the Puente Project. She loves...