El centro
Gerson Orellana Prudencio (He/Him/His)
Student Coordinator (Undergraduate)
First Generation Student
Gerson is a first-gen student who transferred from MPC where he obtained his associates degree in Sociology. This is his first semester at CSUMB and he is currently a Junior majoring in Collaborative Health and Human Services with a concentration in Social Work. He is a proud Salvadoran American and was born in Monterey, California. His favorite hobbies are landscape painting, photography, and listening to music. His favorite colors are blue and gold. He is very passionate about helping out his Latinx community and is very proud and glad to be part of El Centro.
Guadalupe Barragan (She/her/ella)
Lead Student Coordinator (Undergraduate)
First Generation Student
Guadalupe is from Los Angeles, California. She recently transferred from MPC and this is her first semester here at CSUMB. She is majoring in Social and Behavioral studies (SBS) with a concentration in Sociology. Guadalupe’s mother was born in Guatemala and her father is from Michoacan, Mexico. Some of Lupe’s hobbies include going to concerts, playing video games, skateboarding, and going for hikes. She has always been an advocate for social justice and equality for all. She is very passionate and proud to be a part of El Centro.
Corina Rodriguez (She/her/ella)
Student Coordinator (Graduate Student)
First Generation Student
Corina was born and raised in Monterey County. Corina studied Psychology for her undergrad at CSUMB and is now in the Master of Social Work program, the first in her family to do so. Corina’s father and mother were both born in Mexico. She is fluent in English and Spanish. She enjoys attending music events/festivals, hiking, working out and going to the movie theater during her downtime. She really values the aspects of integrity and authenticity as a person. She has also been told that she has a great sense of humor. (: Being part of El Centro, she hopes to make a positive change on campus that also helps students feel empowered, while also making connections with her fellow Latinx students.
Lara Arias (She/Her/Ella)
Student Coordinator
Lara is a first-year student majoring in Marine Science (MSCI). She was born and raised in Panama, and this is her first time living in the U.S. Lara believes that being Latinx is much more than just your origins. She feels it is a sense of community and belonging. Lara enjoys listening to Spanish and English music and spending time with her friends.
Dr. Suzanne/Susana García (she/her/ella)
Co-Director/Faculty Liaison
Suzanne/Susana is a first-generation Mexican-American/Chicana college graduate who currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the College of Education, Director of the Monterey Institute for English Learners (MIEL) and the Bilingual Authorization Coordinator at California State University-Monterey Bay. She has a BA in English Literature from the University of Texas-Austin, MA in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and a Ph.D. in Bilingual and Bicultural Education from the University of Texas-Austin. She is raising proud bilingual (Spanish, Spanglish, English) Latinas and enjoys camping, hiking, yoga and traveling.
Betsi Solis (she/her/ella)
Co-Director
Betsi is a proud first-gen Chicana CSUMB graduate with a BA in Collaborative Health and Human Services and a Minor in Nonprofit Management. After gaining social and mental health services work experience with underserved populations in Monterey County, Betsi returned to school to earn her MA in Organizational Psychology. Betsi is passionate about leading and supporting the development of organizations and programs that will benefit future generations and her community at large. She also serves as the MAESTROs Project Outreach, Engagement, and Student Transition Coordinator to enhance student engagement, retention and graduation towards teaching careers. Betsi enjoys spending time with her two sons and husband, thrifting, and buying new plant babies.