Master's Program, Fall 2020 Entry
Jia Cai
Undergrad: University of Connecticut
Major: Music Performance - Instrumental
Hometown: North Haven, CT
Assistantship: The Graduate School
Bio: Hello, my name is Jia Cai. I lived in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province of China for the first 14 years of my life before migrating to North Haven, CT for high school. I earned my Bachelor of Music Degree in Classical Percussion Performance at UConn.
While being heavily involved in Greek life and the Asian American Cultural Center, as well as having worked as a Residential Manager with Pre-College Summer, I soon realized my growing passion towards higher education and student affairs. I am really excited to come back to UConn for the HESA Program and continue learning from and giving back to the community that has shaped me into who I am today.
While I have found my passion in higher education & student affairs, I will still perform as a percussionist in the Willimantic Orchestra and the UConn Percussion Ensemble. In my free time, I also enjoy swimming, running, cooking, spotting animals and playing video games.
Carlos Dos Santos
Undergrad: Western Connecticut State University
Major: Psychology and Pre-Med
Hometown: Danbury, CT
Assistantship: UConn Student Union
Bio: My name is Carlos Dos Santos and I’m from Danbury, Connecticut. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western Connecticut State University with a major in Psychology and Pre-Medical Studies in 2019. During my undergraduate career I was very involved in extra-curricular activities, which is actually what pushed me towards a career in Higher Education. I served two terms as the Student Government Association President, two years on the Board of Directors on my Alma Mater, was an active member of the Kathwari Honors Program and worked in the Office of Institutional Advancement at WCSU and as Orientation Leader for two years. During my undergraduate career I spent a good amount of time advocating for my peers both locally and at the state level in Hartford regarding the issues of affordability of higher education and the accessibility issue that minority students face when applying to college. I also worked closely with CT Students for a Dream; an organization that lobbied (successfully) for institutional aid to be made accessible to undocumented students.
I am also a first-generation college student who was born to two Brazilian immigrants. I was actually able to graduate high school in Brazil, which allowed me to become fluent in not only English, but also Portuguese and Spanish.
After my two years in the HESA program I intend to pursue my Ph.D. in Higher Education in order to continue my track within the higher education field. I hope to one day serve as the president of a college or university in order to continue working towards meaningful change within the field of higher education.
Sarah Durning
Undergrad: Roger Williams University
Major: Psychology
Hometown: New City, NY
Assistantship: Student Activities- Student Union Board of Governors (SUBOG)
Bio: Hey there! My name is Sarah Durning (she/her/hers). I'm from New City, NY (about 30 miles north of NYC). I graduated from Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI in May 2019 and I've been looking forward to getting back to school since then!
During undergrad, I pushed myself to get involved and that was the best decision I've ever made. My involvement with New Student and Family Orientation, CEN (our largest campus programming organization), and Study Abroad allowed me to form incredible relationships and have some amazing, educational experiences which led me to pursue a career in Higher Education and Student Affairs. I was inspired by the professional staff members who helped make my undergraduate experience so great and I hope to have that same impact on undergraduate students in the future! I believe that college is the perfect time to step out of ones comfort zone, take chances, and embrace change and new experiences and I hope I am able to encourage and support students through their journey.
Outside of school, I love to travel, run, cook/bake whatever fun recipes I come across on Pinterest, spend time with my friends and family, read, be outside (especially at the beach), hike, shop, and watch Netflix. I am SO excited to begin my journey at UConn! Go Huskies!
Sade Erinfolami
Undergrad: University of South Carolina
Major: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Irmo, SC
Assistantship: Law School: Graduate & International Programs
Bio: Hey there! My name is Sade Erinfolami and I am from Columbia, SC. I attended university at USC in my hometown where I majored in Criminal Justice and minored in Spanish. During my time in undergrad, I was a proud member of the Mighty Sound of the Southeast Marching Band for all four years. Go Band!! I was a resident of the International House at Maxcy for three years and was exposed to a variety of different cultures for the first time. It was during this time that my passion for travel began. At USC I was also a member of Buddy Beyond Boarders and the Carolina Judicial Council.
After graduation, I moved abroad to Madrid, Spain where I lived and worked for 3 years as an English Language Assistant and Cultural Ambassador, teaching English in different primary schools. For me, the experience solidified how reaffirming it is to follow one's own life path. There is no predetermined life script or timeline that anyone must follow. Live a life that brings you joy!
I chose the HESA field because of my joy for helping learners find a path that is right for them. It is also important for me to intentionally create space for minoritized students to feel safe and supported.
I enjoy reading and talking about the best ways to dismantle capitalism and create a world that is not only for the 1 percent. I also love making pottery, binging 90 Day Fiancée and cooking. I am OBSESSED with board games, and absolutely anything that has to do with Beyoncé! Although Connecticut will be the coldest place I've ever lived, I am excited to start this new adventure at UConn!
Tania Flores
Undergrad: Middlebury College
Major: Psychology and Education
Hometown: Gary, IN
Assistantship: Women's Center
Bio: While my Virgo sun would like to say that most of my life's trajectory has been based on calculated 5-year plans, the truth is that my moon lies in Aquarius and I am much more intuitive than I willingly admit. Every momentous choice I have made was set up by a work ethic prevalent amongst us children of immigrants, but the culminating decision itself is as subliminal as the generational folklore we carry with us.
All of this to say, I am both honored and perplexed at my enrollment at UConn's HESA program. This was not at all what I had planned, but as I write this during a most notorious Spring of 2020, life has shown us all that to plan too far ahead is never without oversight of the unknown inevitable. I have learned to, instead, define myself by the things I enjoy and who I am, as opposed to accolades and benchmarks primarily there for others' benefit. For example, revealing my adoration for flowers, equity, lore, and my heritage is significantly more consequential than outlining work I have completed at any given moment.
Pivoting towards practicality; I have spent all my adult life nurturing children in their growth and learning. It is through this experience, and my own (sometimes mis)guided journey towards self that I was made aware of the deep need for similar support amongst young adults in transitional spaces. In the book of life, it is in the lacuna where we must go and provide evidence that we the marginalized do exist, and aid all others like us to do the same. I look forward to encountering all this path may hold.
Deanna Gallegos
Undergrad: University of California, Davis
Major: English and Chicana/o Studies
Hometown: West Sacramento, CA
Assistantship: Pre-College Summer Program (Office of Early College Programs)
Bio: Hello! My name is Deanna Gallegos (she/her/hers). I am originally from the East Bay in California, but have most recently called West Sacramento my home. In 2019, I graduated from the University of California, Davis with degrees in English and Chicana/o Studies and a minor in Education.
When I started college at UC Davis, I knew I wanted to get involved on campus to meet new people and explore my interests. Over the span of four years, I walked backwards as a campus tour guide and helped train new tour guides, led a book club, studied abroad in Oxford, England, became a summer orientation leader, and spent my final quarter at the UC Center Sacramento. Each of these opportunities taught me a bit about who I am and what I value.
During my undergraduate career, I realized how much passion I have for supporting students' personal growth and well-being within higher education. As an intern with the University of California Student Association, I learned about issues surrounding student needs including a shortage of affordable housing, food insecurity, and limited access to mental health resources. These are just a few issues that have motivated me to pursue a career in student affairs and work towards making higher education accessible for all students.
Outside of school and work, I like to spend my free time cooking, baking, painting my nails, buying houseplants (and hopefully keeping them alive!), trying out new boba shops, going to concerts and musicals, and spending time with family and friends. I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to learn and share space with everyone in the HESA program!
Jose Garcia
Undergrad: UCLA
Major: History
Hometown: Los Angelos, CA
Assistantship: Office of Fraternity & Sorority Development
Bio: Hi y'all! My name is Jose (he/they) and I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. For undergrad, I attended UCLA where I graduated with a History degree in 2016. After graduating, I worked at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles & La Brea Tar Pits for about a year and a half. It was in that job that I realized that I missed working in a college setting and really use the student driven environment to motivate my work. I left the museum and landed a job as the Operations Coordinator for the UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center. Since then, I have also gone back to the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life to support them with their endeavors in addition to the work I do in the LGBTQ Center.
My experience in Greek Life and my current experience working in a LGBTQ center has given me a unique perspective on student life. I want all students to be able to have a transformative experience and now understand how historically inaccessible Greek Life has been for queer and transgender students. I want their involvement in spaces like this to be the norm, not the exception, and that is why I have decided to continue my career in student affairs.
Outside of my job and work experience, I enjoy drinking lots of coffee, eating all kinds of food (potato based food are my favorite), and bouldering when I get a chance. I recently did my first trip to Europe, Spain to be more specific, and I did this trip alone which is something I want to try again. With that being said, I really enjoy meeting up with my friends and I hope to do my next trip with them.
Nikko Garmendiz
Undergrad: SUNY Geneseo
Major: Sociology
Hometown: Pine Bush, NY
Assistantship: Residential Life - Assistant Residence Hall Director
Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Nikko Garmendiz and I am from a small town called Pine Bush, which is about an hour north of NYC. I graduated from SUNY Geneseo in December 2019 where I was a Sociology Major and highly involved student leader. I was a proud AOP (Access Opportunity Program) student, RA, ARD, Admissions Intern, Theatre tech, peer mentor, and more. After I graduated, I was hired to serve as a Residence Director at Geneseo, and the transition from student to staff was definitely weird, especially that I literally went to class with people in December and was supervising them in January. Going into undergrad and partway through my sophomore year, I thought I was going to be a Pre-Med/Bio major and dreamed of becoming an orthopedic surgeon and team doctor for a professional sports team. But I quickly learned that science wasn't my passion and having an honest conversation with a mentor of mine, I started my journey into Higher Ed.
Being a POC at a PWI, it only made me fall in love with my Latinx culture even more and helped me realize how it made me unique. This helped motivate me to advocate for more social justice and resources for students like me on campus. In undergrad, I heavily explored the idea of college access for students from historically marginalized backgrounds, and how we can improve admission and retention of these groups. Picking UConn honestly came down to their support and commitment to issues of DEI and equity for all. I can't wait to start my journey in Connecticut and begin my career as a Higher Education professional helping students and making a difference.
Cassandra Gonzalez
Undergrad: Rutgers University
Major: Public Policy
Hometown: Lakewood, NJ
Assistantship: Student Activities: Leadership & Organization Development
Bio: Hi friends! My name is Cassandra, but you can call me Casey! I received my Associate's Degree in Mathematics and my Bachelor's in Public Policy at Rutgers University. As a first-generation, low-income, and Latinx college student, it was challenging to navigate the expectations of a post-secondary institution. To deal with the culture shock of this new environment, I set out to find a supportive community by getting out of my comfort zone and joining different organizations.
At my community college, I became the Vice President of Administration for the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. At Rutgers University, I was involved with the Leadership & Experiential Learning office, where I led different programs in many capacities. I also found a community in the Center for Latino Arts and Culture Center, where I served as the Program Coordinator for the Mexican American Student Association.
Through the Ronald E. McNair program, I found my passion in research interests about educational equity in access and persistence for students in historically marginalized backgrounds. I believe student involvement on campus, finding a community, and receiving faculty/staff support is essential for students to persist until graduation. This "student experience" is what retention and persistence is all about. I want to be a part of building this student experience for future generations and watch prospective students grow through leadership opportunities like I did.
I plan to one day obtain my Ph.D. in Higher Education to pursue an administrative track and focus on equipping historically marginalized students with more educational opportunities and resources. I am so excited about the upcoming opportunities and experiences I will gain from the HESA program and my assistantship at UConn!
Olivia Hankins
Undergrad: Northern Arizona University
Major: Psychology and Criminal Justice
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Assistantship: Residential Life: Assistant Residence Hall Director
Bio: Hello! My name is Olivia Hankins and I am from Huntington Beach, California. I graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2018 and studied Psychology and Criminal Justice. In Flagstaff, I truly found my love for the outdoors such as climbing and hiking, and my love for Student Affairs. As a student leader I was about to see how my academics and life as a student were instantly enriched when I was able to build connecting genuine communities thus starting my journey into student affairs. Since graduating I have been working in the Student Life Office at Adams State University, located in a small town in Southern Colorado. Now immersed as a professional in student affairs, I was able to see behind the curtain of it all, things I wouldn't normally see as a student leader.
In finding my voice, I became a student advocate and witnessed inequities across campus that affected staff and students. In working within student affairs as a student and now as a professional, I have validation that this is a career field that I was to pursue. I am stoked to be moving across the country to be a part of UConn's HESA Masters program! It's been a dream of mine for a long time to live on the East Coast!
Mya Johnson
Undergrad: Cornell College
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Assistantship: Community Outreach
Bio: Hi! My name is Mya Johnson and I'm from Long Beach, California. I attended a very small school in eastern Iowa where I played on the women's basketball team (Go Rams!). At my time at Cornell, I realized my passion for student affairs. The faculty and coaches at Cornell completely changed my life, especially the faculty in the intercultural life office where I completed an internship in peer advising students of color as well as International students. I believe that representation is very important, and I strive to be a figure for all students, especially to those who may 'look' like me!
I cannot wait to start my journey at Connecticut as well as cheer on the GREATEST women's basketball team in the country! Go Huskies!
Trevor Madore
Undergrad: Saint Michael's College
Major: Political Science and Peace & Justice
Hometown: Milford, CT
Assistantship: Residential Life: Assistant Residence Hall Director
Bio: Hi! My name is Trevor Madore (he/him/his), and my path towards a career in HESA has been largely shaped by my drive to disrupt systems that inhibit student success, along with fate and serendipity.
In 2014, I graduated from Saint Michael's College outside Burlington, Vermont with a degree in Political Science and Peace & Justice. I held various leadership positions on campus, developing skills in political organizing and advocacy. Upon graduation, I applied to the Episcopal Service Corps, and was placed at a high school in Los Angeles, California, which ultimately introduced me to the field of education. I worked primarily in college access programming, and after a few years in the role, was eager to expand my impact on the student experience. I applied to Teach for America, and began working as a Language Arts Teacher in Miami, Florida.
Through these professional experiences, I discovered my skill and passion for building positive relationships with students, while guiding them towards personal and academic success. At the same time, I grew in my knowledge and criticisms of white supremacy, cisheteropatriarchy, capitalism, and the systemic barriers students face as they pursue higher education. I was compelled to apply for HESA programs to become an institutional advocate for all students, because it is not enough for schools to simply strive for accessibility, as they must, but they must also create institutions that are genuinely supportive, welcoming, and affirming for all students throughout their collegiate experiences. During my undergraduate career, I would have never predicted this journey, but I am excited to continue it at UConn!
Outside of work and academics, I enjoy most outdoor activities, watching movies, and listening to music. Let's day-trip somewhere!
Dominique Moore
Undergrad: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Major: Africana Studies & History
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Assistantship: Center for Career Development: Experiential Learning
Bio: Hello! I'm Dominque (she/they), and I'm from the Bronx, NY, but I lived in Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina for the last 8 years of my life.
I absolutely love reading, cooking, watching tv (Grey's Anatomy is my favorite show), and hanging out with my friends! I graduated from UNC Charlotte in May 2020 with one degree in Africana Studies and another degree in History. I've dreamt of being a Husky since the summer of 2018. I knew Higher Education was the route for me in August of 2017 when I sat in RA training at my school. Every summer after that I have participated in a housing and residence life internship and it was the passion that I felt when working with my students, planning programs, visiting other schools and so much more that made me realize it was what I wanted to do forever.
Brittney Ortiz
Undergrad: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Assistantship: Residential Life: ARHD
Bio: My name is Brittney and I was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. I relocated to the beachside town of Wilmington, NC when I was 19 and transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to complete my undergraduate degree. I graduated in December 2017 with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in anthropology as a first generation student.
During my time at UNC I was involved in various student led advocacy groups for students with disabilities, feminism, LGBTQ+, and mental health awareness. My involvement in these groups provided me with the opportunity to learn about the barriers students from such backgrounds encounter during their undergraduate years. These experiences have spearheaded my interest in pursuing a career in higher education and student affairs for I am passionate about providing equitable access to higher education. I am excited about pursuing a career that provides students from disadvantaged backgrounds and marginalized identities with the tools they need to succeed within the classroom, as well as becoming an integral part of the campus community.
During my free time I enjoy creating art through various mediums ranging from oil painting to charcoal. As an outdoorsy individual, I am looking forward to hiking the forests surrounding UConn during my free time. I am excited to join the HESA program to further explore my passions and gain a greater depth of knowledge in this field.
Ashley Reed
Undergrad: Rollins College
Major: Business: Social Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Lake Mary, FL
Assistantship: Rainbow Center
Bio: Hi! My name is Ashley Reed and I'm from Lake Mary, Florida, which is a city east of Orlando. I graduated from Rollins College in 2018 with a major in Social Entrepreneurship and a minor in Spanish. During my undergraduate years, I was a Resident Assistant for three years, which sparked my interest in Higher Education and Student Affairs.
I always wanted to pursue a career where I can positively impact the lives of others and be a source of support. I quickly realized that I can frequently fulfill this want in the field of higher education. I took two exploratory years after I graduated and gained professional experience in student affairs work at Rollins College. My first gap year I was a Graduate Assistant for the office of Residential Life. I am now completing my second gap year as a Hall Director in a first year hall. Both positions have shown me the hard work student affair professionals put in to ensure optimal support for their students. My two exploratory years confirmed my want to pursue a Masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs so I can continue empowering students to be their own authentic selves.
What drew me to the UConn HESA Program was the social justice based curriculum. I know I will be empowered through the courses about identity and I will be able to put it into practice with my assistantship. I am excited to expand my knowledge around higher education and create meaningful connections with the students and faculty at UConn. Go Huskies!
Darlene Rodriguez
Undergrad: Ithaca College
Major: Communication Studies
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Assistantship: Office of Alumni Relations in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Bio: Hello everyone, I am excited to be joining the Husky family in the Fall! I was born and raised in the Bronx in New York City. Growing up, I was never too concerned with going to college as no one in my family had attended. However, when I was admitted into Ithaca College as a Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) student, I couldn't pass up the offer. As a first generation student, I was presented with various obstacles that I didn't know how to overcome and received little support from my family. With HEOP, I was able to find others who also faced the same obstacles I did. 'I don't know what I don't know', the most prevalent frustration that plagued my daily life until it pushed me to accept the offer to become a Peer Mentor and help establish the First Generation Student Organization.
My work as a Peer Mentor put me on a path to serve as a resource to students. I found that I had a true passion for helping others and advising students on the multiple facets of the college experience. So here am I! Just your friendly Latina from the Bronx trying to learn and grow!