Staff

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...

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...

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...