The LaFaSA 2021 Election is now under way!
LaFaSA members may vote for the new board starting January 25, 2021 through February 8, 2021. Below are the candidates:
PRESIDENT
Dr. Natalia Leal Toro is the Assistant Director at Academic Advancement Programs at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She oversees structured programs (McNair Scholars, RAMP, Pre-Grad Knights), and helps support campus-wide initiatives for graduate school preparation. Natalia has spent 15 years strategically developing and leading initiatives that help first generation, low income, and underrepresented students succeed in higher education and beyond. In her previous role as MASS Assistant Director she coordinated the First Generation Program and campus wide initiatives. Before working at UCF, Natalia served as Director of Hispanic Latino Cultures at the University of Florida, and Program Director for Multicuturalism at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Latin American & Caribbean Affairs from Rollins College, Masters in Education from the University of Florida, and Doctorate of Education in Higher Education and Policy Studies at the University of Central Florida.
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Liz Stevenson is an Assistant Director at UCF’s Counseling & Psychological Services and has proudly been a staff member with UCF for almost 12 years. As a licensed clinical social worker Liz has been proudly serving students at UCF and has a passion with guiding, supporting and providing students with a safe space to address concerns. As a daughter of Colombian immigrant parents, Liz is able to provide bilingual therapy to clients and has worked for over 20 years using a multicultural lens and framework when working with clients. Prior to coming to UCF, Liz has worked in multiple settings including K-12 schools, hospitals for women and children and in private practice. A strong tenant of her work ethic includes providing supportive and educational opportunities to marginalized populations and serving as an advocate for social justice.
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VICE PRESIDENT
Dr. Doris Alcivar is an Assistant Director of Employer Relations in Career Services at the University of Central Florida. Doris works primarily with employers looking to recruit candidates from business or liberal arts majors. Prior to relocating to Florida she served as Assistant Director of the MS in Publishing program at the NYU School of Professional Studies Center for Publishing. She has also previously worked as Director of Student Activities at Passaic County Community College, and Assistant Director of Student Services and Student Services Counselor at NYU Steinhardt. She holds memberships with Florida ACE, SoACE, and NACE and currently leads the SoACE Employer Knowledge group. She is also a member of the NACE HSI Affinity Group.
Doris holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Rutgers University, a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from NYU Steinhardt, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Higher Education, from UCF. |
Dr. Nataly Chandia is the current Associate Vice-President of UCF Global at the University of Central Florida. Since 2003, she has been responsible for international student and scholar services at UCF. Prior to joining UCF, Chandia worked as Director of Social Services at St. Peter’s San Jose Mission in Barberville, FL and as Admissions Coordinator and Assistant Director at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, FL.
Chandia attended the University of Central Florida where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology/Criminal Justice and a Masters of Liberal Studies Degree in Public Administration. She also holds an Advance Certificate in Public Administration from UCF. Her Professional Development includes training in Management, Leadership and Customer Service, IIE Senior International Officer, NAFSA Management Development, Cross/Cultural Communications, Multicultural Workplace Conflict Resolution, and many others. Chandia is a current member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Institute of International Education. |
Bonnieblue Rodríguez-Valentín has had the privilege of working alongside talented staff and students, having held multiple roles during her tenure at UCF. She has been instrumental in creating training for staff, web course modules, and working in tandem with student government and registered student organization leaders. Likewise, she currently oversees the Creative Services unit in the Office of Student Involvement. This includes video productions and photography crew, DJs, graphic designers, recording studio operations, and a marketing team. She is grateful for the opportunity to keep learning and bringing others along the journey.
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Dr. Jennifer Sandoval (she/her/ella) is an Associate Professor at the Nicholson School of Communication and Media at UCF. She has a Ph.D. in Communication and Culture from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s of Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine School of Law. She is interested in the communication of marginalized identity in various contexts. Her research focuses on the communicative elements involved at the intersection of identity, the body, and health. Dr. Sandoval works with a wide range of organizations enhancing their capacity to communicate across difference and difficulty. Additionally, her scholarship examines policy language, the rhetoric of choice and Assistive Reproductive Technology, as well as looks at sexual and reproductive health access for minoritized communities. Dr. Sandoval is currently a Faculty Fellow for Inclusive Excellence in Faculty Excellence and the Assistant Director of Inclusive Culture in the Nicholson School.
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SECRETARY
Celeste Rivera‐Nuñez is Associate Director for Sponsored Programs in the Office of Research.
Her expertise in research administration spans 20+ years in grant and contract management functions including proposals, contract negotiation, subaward initiation, post award management, grant business systems implementation and workforce development. Celeste has had great mentors in her career who promote diversity and inclusion. She emulates those mentors by also serving as a mentor in programs such as the UCF Leadership Empowerment Program and the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) Region III RAMP Program. She has served and led several NCURA committees, including the NCURA Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is the co‐Chair for the UCF Annual FRAC Conference. She recently coauthored “Perhaps we should have a conversation about racial disparity in research administration” in NCURA Magazine and won an NCURA Annual Conference Best Poster Award for “Is Ethnic Disparity Present in Research Administration?” |
Josefina Esperanza Rosario was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Her parents immigrated to the United States when Josefina was getting ready to begin school. Josefina had to quickly adapt to a new culture and language. The first couple of years where a bit tough because Josefina was not familiar with either. However, she continued to persevere and not only graduated and obtained a bachelor’s degree but went to pursue her masters and she is currently working on her PhD. Josefina is a first-generation college student who looks to inspire her daughter and others to continue in her footsteps that yes it can be done! Josefina currently works as the Assistant Director for the Multicultural Academic and Support Services Department at UCF and has been with the University for over 8 years.
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Katherine graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration and is currently finishing her Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, concentrating on Diversity & Inclusion. Katherine has served as the Facilities Scheduler at the UCF Recreation & Wellness Center for four years. Katherine was born in Savannah, Georgia to Puerto Rican parents. Although she has lived in Orlando for 20 years, she is fluent in both English and Spanish and always embraces her Puerto Rican culture. She loves meeting students and other faculty/staff members from other Hispanic/Latinx countries and learning about their country’s unique traditions. She especially loves to share different traditional recipes and trying different delicious dishes.
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TREASURER
No candidates for this position.
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Saludos LaFaSA Familia! My name is Cynthia Contreras and I work in the College of Medicine, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences as an Academic Advisor. I work primarily with undergraduate students but in my role, I also work and collaborate with advising colleagues, faculty and staff from other colleges and units within UCF. I am a proud Latina UCF Knight; I graduated with my Bachelors degree in 2002 and with my Masters in 2008. I am also a Nova Southeastern University Shark, where I recently completed my Ph.D. I am originally from Guatemala and moved to Florida in 1996. As a Chapina-American, I am continuously looking for ways to incorporate my culture into my American life. I am an avid problem solver, enjoy reading, writing, and volunteer in social and climate justice organizations.
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SOCIAL DIRECTOR
No candidates for this position.