Join us for an inspiring session at Cabrillo Talks featuring Donnie, a dedicated professional and proud graduate of Cabrillo College and UCSC. Donnie's journey from student to program coordinator for the Rising Scholars Program showcases their passion for education and mentorship.

At Cabrillo Talks, Donnie will share valuable insights and experiences, highlighting the importance of higher education and the transformative impact it can have on individuals' lives. Whether you're a student, educator, or community member, Donnie's talk promises to be both informative and motivating.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Donnie and learn about their dedication to empowering students. Join us at Cabrillo Talks and be inspired to reach new heights in your own educational and professional endeavors!

My name is Lizeth Roque Lara. I am currently majoring in Psychology with the intent to do clinical research with children and adults. I chose this major after I came to understand that mental illness in my family was the root of so much trauma as a child. I have a passion for understanding the mind and people, more specifically, to understand and address societal issues. I am a senior here at Cabrillo, a first-generation Rising Scholars and CARES student, and most importantly a parent. I have a 2-year-old daughter that is my greatest motivation, my inspiration for graduating this year, and for pursuing further education.

My name is Vivian Juarez, and I am a photography and digital media major. I grew up and lived all over Southern California. When it comes to the future, my biggest goal is to continue to be someone that my younger self would be proud of. My biggest accomplishments have been making it to 20 years old, moving out on my own at 19, and creating financial independence from my family. In my free time, I am usually reading, taking photos, and going on adventures. I like to say I'm a one-stop shop for all things creative. I have experience in photography, graphic design, marketing and post-production for film.

My name is Yefry Samael Mata Diaz. I serve as a member of the student senate and as an ambassador for the outreach and recruitment department at Cabrillo College. A professional goal I have is to get hands on experience as program/project coordinator working with formerly incarcerated and system impacted students, and eventually becoming a director, president or dean of a college. An accomplishment I’m really proud of is being a part of the youth law center’s student leadership cohort. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to use my lived experience in helping shape the Rising Scholars program.

My name is Mark Anthony Hinojosa-Navarro and I serve as a Lead Student Veteran Assistant pursing a double major in Kinesiology and Spanish. Originally from Watsonville, CA, I aspire to become the first in my family to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. I aspire to become a Pediatric Physician Assistant. I have served in the US Marines, backpacked across Europe and I am a certified EMT. In my free time, I enjoy to surfing, playing basketball, strumming the guitar, and traveling the world. With a strong communication skillset and a resourceful nature, I am poised to excel in my academic and professional goals.

My name is Kristin Fabos, and I am the Director of Marketing and Communications and Public Information Officer (PIO) at Cabrillo College, where I’ve worked for the last 14 years. My 30-year career includes roles in high-tech marketing and public relations, event marketing, nonprofit leadership, and higher education marketing. I am an active global and community volunteer who serves on several local nonprofit boards as well as in Rotary leadership. I am a cancer survivor and advocate. I currently reside in the Santa Cruz Mountains with my husband and dog, and have two awesome grown stepsons. When not working or volunteering in the community, I enjoy hiking, skiing, singing, traveling, and seeing live music.

My name is Kaitlyn Johnson, and I am a second-year Biology student at Cabrillo College planning to transfer to a four-year university. I intend to go to law school after undergrad and use my biology degree at the intersection of science and law. Some of my hobbies include martial arts, photography, and dance.

My name is Bridget McNamara. I've lived in Aptos most of my life. Some of my interests include theater arts, volunteering in the community, and working for restorative justice through our local Neighborhood Courts program. I love being part of the Cabrillo community, and I am currently working toward an Associate's Degree in Psychology.

My name is Marjorie Jackson, and I was born in Guadalajara, MX, and spent some time in Bolivia growing up. I'm currently in the Human Services program working towards my Associates in Science and I have plans to transfer to a CSU to work towards my Bachelors and Master’s degree. I have work experience in the tech field and was also certified as a Clinical Medical Assistant. My goal is to work with children going through or overcoming adversities. I enjoy reading, exploring new activities with my son, cooking and watching movies.

Andrea L. Hart (she/her) is a multi-hyphenate theatre-maker whose work ranges from creating large, sprawling devised pieces to writing opera librettos,to directing classic musicals to designing and building masks and shadow puppets. Her work has been supported by grants from Puffin Foundation West, Theater Bay Area, and Venturous Theater Fund, and has been developed and performed at UTNT and Hyde Park Theatre in Austin, TX, Thompson Street Opera in Chicago, #AmericanAF Festival in NYC, Great Plains Theatre Conference, the MacDowell Colony, CounterPulse, 6NewPlays, and others. Recent credits include directing a reading of Novid Parsi's THE LIFE YOU GAVE ME at the BIPOC Playwrights Festival in Boise, ID; directing MARIE ANTOINETTE for Cabrillo College, writing and directing MURKY AS HELL at UTNT in Austin, devising a geo-triggered audio journey, and working with composers and dancers on an immersive, participatory theatrical event. This summer she will direct Santa Cruz Opera Project's immersive DIE FLEDERMAUS. She holds an MFA in Directing from UT Austin and currently serves as the Artistic Director of Cabrillo Stage. www.andreaLhart.org

Dr. Devin Walker currently serves as the Director of Equity and Student Success at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz, California. He earned his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at The University of Texas at Austin in 2018 where his research focused on the intersection of race, sports and education as well as the influence of global education on student’s self-concept, national identity and future orientation. Devin is a co-founder of the Black Student-Athlete Summit and the founder and CEO of World Walker LLC, an organization focused on providing transformational education abroad opportunities for historically marginalized groups.

Kendall Sooter is a full-time Instructor in Communication Studies, also teaching in Environmental Science and Engineering. Kendall is a Cabrillo College alumni and a current doctoral student in Sustainability. Kendall has taught public speaking for 10 years and focuses on empowering students to share their narratives to foster social and environmental change.

Jason Ferguson is a Los Angeles native and former student-athlete who secured a football scholarship to the University of Hawaii. Today, Jason thrives as a dedicated speaker coach, keynote speaker, senior sales leader in tech, and success coach who helps organizations develop their teams by shifting the way they think.