The Women's Center Staff
Lea Burgess-Carland, Director
lcarland@csusm.edu
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Lea Burgess-Carland joined the ASI Women's Center family in the summer of 2009, but felt so quickly at home it was as if she has been here for many years! Lea received a B.A. in Women's Studies and Literature from the University of Kansas in Lawrence where she was born and raised. She then received a M.A. in Nonprofit Management and Leadership at the University of San Diego. Lea is a certified domestic violence and sexual assault advocate, and worked professionally for several years doing education, advocacy, direct service, and serving as the Assistant Executive Director for an organization serving survivors of partner and domestic abuse. She has presented numerous trainings and workshops on topics of gendered violence to professionals and in academic settings. Her particular area of focus is the intersection of abuse and diverse identities, exploring the ways in which LGBTQ individuals and people of color experience multiple oppressions as survivors of abuse. She also has rich experience developing and providing social justice based diversity and leadership trainings, and is available to do workshops and trainings with the campus community (see the list of training topics!).
An activist at heart, Lea has spent many years organizing for feminist-related issues, working on projects such as the Women Take Back the Night March, V-Fest, LadyFest, and the LBT Women's Fest. Her focus now is in nurturing, supporting, and developing every individual's unique way of creating change - whether it's through academia or in the streets.
Lea is always happy to meet with students for advocacy, support, or to discuss the latest Twighlight movie. She also loves baking and often brings her weekend baking adventures into the Center. Stop in anytime and grab a tasty treat, make new friends, and find your home in the Women's Center!
Herminia Ramirez, Operations Coordinator
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Bio coming soon! |
Elizabeth Alvarado, Peer Educator
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Elizabeth Alvarado is a Women Studies and Human Development major. She is a feminist that pursues higher education and hopes to get her doctoral degree in feminist studies and become a women studies professor at California State University San Marcos. Elizabeth grew up in ranch in Oceanside, which she considers to be very fortunate. Reading, writing and listening music are her favorite things to do. She is very passionate about understanding and learning women studies as well as feminism and believes in creating social awareness through activism . |
Jessica Castro, Peer Educator
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Jessica Castro is a senior majoring in Global Studies. She was raised in Long Beach and transferred to CSUSM from Long Beach City College. She wanted to work in the Women's Center because it was the first place on campus where she felt at home and believes that the work the Women's Center does is wonderful and is so glad to be a part of it. Jessica loves to cook, bake, and going to shows. After graduating she hopes to work for a NGO or international non-profit where she can work to improve the lives of women globally. |
Melina Rodriguez Lopez, Peer Educator
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Melina Rodriguez is a sophomore double majoring in Women's Studies and Sociology. She grew bicultrally between the Antelope Valley and Mexico (viva la raza!). Melina stands for social justice and believes knowledge is the ultimate means of empowerment. Feminism has transformed her and shaped her into the person she is today. There is nothing that gives her more pleasure than speaking to other feminists of all ages and races and coming up with innovative ideas and stirring up epiphanies. She feels like Women's Studies has finally given me the "other half" of the story that she's been searching for. When not in deep feminist conversations or fighting injustices, she indulges in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, weightlifting, reading, running, piercings, traveling, exotic foods, LAUGHTER, and watching UFC matches on pay-per-view. |