Celina Avalos

Executive Director

Celina Avalos is from Mecca, California. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a major in Political Science. Celina is passionate about voting rights, immigration, criminal justice reform, and higher education. She is a MPP Candidate at the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy. Celina was part of Desert Mirage High School’s graduating class of 2015.

Antonio Aguilar

Development Director

Antonio Aguilar is from Thermal, California. He graduated from the University of Redlands. Antonio is passionate about learning how public policy and legislation on the macro level trickles down and impacts students in higher education on the micro level. He works for both the offices of instruction and student services at College of the Desert. Antonio is a graduate of Desert Mirage High School.

Ricardo Ramirez

Finance Director

Ricardo Ramirez is from Coachella, California. He graduated from the California State University of San Bernardino, with a major in Business Administration Management and Finance. Ricardo is a data analyst for OneFuture Coachella Valley. He is passionate about business, entrepreneurship, finance, higher education, and improving the lives of minorities through education. Ricardo was part of Desert Mirage High School’s graduating class of 2015.

Julio Mendez Vargas

External Affairs Director

Julio Mendez Vargas is from Indio, California. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles ,with a major in Political Science and a minor in Public Affairs. Julio is passionate about advocacy, government, and civic engagement. Julio is an associate consultant for California State Assemblymember Robert Rivas. Julio was part of Desert Mirage High School’s graduating class of 2015.

Patricia Leal-Gutierrez

Civic Engagement Program Manager

Patricia Leal-Gutierrez is from North Shore, California. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a double major in Political Science and Chicanx Studies. She later graduated from Stanford University with her Masters in Education. She is passionate about environmental justice and educational equity. Patricia is a program manager for Alianza Coachella Valley. Patricia was part of Desert Mirage High School’s graduating class of 2015.

Eloisa Lopez-Valencia

Leadership Development Program Manager 

Eloisa Lopez-Valencia is from Coachella, California. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a major in Public Health. She is passionate about equitable education, holistic health, and supporting community in advancing health equity. Eloisa is a research assistant for Boston Medical Center. In addition to her role at BMC, she serves on the Board of Directors of Cal Bears in the Desert and is a volunteer at UC Berkeley’s Center for Healthcare Organizational and Innovational Research. Eloisa was part of Coachella Valley High School’s graduating class of 2014.

Heidy Lin

Finance Associate

Heidy Lin is from Oasis, California. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a major in Public Health. Heidy is passionate about health care and health equity issues, and she hopes to pursue a career in pharmacy. Heidy is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Nursing at the UCLA School of Nursing. Heidy was part of Desert Mirage High School’s graduating class of 2015.

Filiberto Lopez-Garcia

Operations Director

Filiberto Lopez-Garcia is from North Shore, California. He graduated from Luther College, with a major in Business Management and Communication Studies. Filiberto is passionate about improving the lives and conditions of the LGBTQ+ community. Filiberto is currently working with the National Redistricting Committee and All On The Line to end gerrymandering in our political system. Filiberto was part of Desert Mirage High School’s graduating class of 2015.

Nilda Ruiz

Executive Assistant

Nilda Ruiz is from Coachella, California. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a major in Conservation & Resources Studies and a minor in Math & Science Education. She is passionate about environmental justice, conservation, public health and higher education. Nilda currently works as Special Projects Manager with Alianza Coachella Valley. Nilda was part of Coachella Valley High School's graduating class of 2015.

Dulce Chaidez

Digital Media Associate

Dulce Chaidez is from North Shore, California. She is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of California, San Diego, with a major in Political Science and a minor in Law and Society. Dulce is passionate about immigration rights and participates in research that supports asylum seekers on the border of Tijuana. Her goal is to become a civil rights/immigration lawyer. Dulce was part of Desert Mirage High School’s graduating class of 2019.

Vianney Gómez

Communications Director

Vianney Gómez is from the San Gabriel Valley in California. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a major in Political Science. Vianney is passionate about immigration rights, criminal justice reform and equitable health policy.

Guadalupe Arreola

Guadalupe Arreola previously served as a Co- Mentorship Director. She is a native of Thermal, California. She recently graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a major in Biology and a minor in Chicanx studies.

Agustin Arreola

Agustin Arreola previously served as Co-External Affairs Director. He is a native of Thermal, California. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a double major in Political Science and Chicanx studies.

Jasmine Cervantes Casillas

Jasmine Cervantes Casillas previously served as Vice President. She is from Thermal, California. She is attending California State University, San Bernardino, and majoring in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Spanish and Bilingual/Cross Cultural Studies.

Stephanie Virgen

Stephanie Virgen previously served as Co-Mentorship Director. She is from Thousand Palms, CA and later moved to Coachella. She graduated from the University of California, Riverside, with a major Political Science.

Paul Obedicen

Paul Obedicen previously served as Co-Mentorship Director. He is originally from Thermal, CA, but now resides in Moreno Valley. He is currently a student at the University of California, Riverside, with a major in Political Science.

Edith Ruiz

Edith Ruiz previously served as Co-Operations Director. She is from Oasis, CA. She graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a double major in Animal Science and Spanish.