Dr. Michael V. Singh is an educator, qualitative social scientist, and associate professor in the Department of Chicana/o/x Studies at the University of California, Davis. He received his Ph.D. in 2019 from the Berkeley School of Education at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Singh’s research is guided by questions of racial and gender justice in schools, with a focus on Latino men and boys. His work ranges from ethnographic portraits of youth programs to policy-oriented studies with Latino men teachers. His second line of research advances critical theories of race and Latinidad in education. His book, Good Boys, Bad Hombres: The Racial Politics of Mentoring Latino Boys in Schools (University of Minnesota Press), tells the story of a school-based mentorship program for Latino boys in the era of neoliberal multiculturalism. It delves into the complicated and sometimes contradictory racial and gender politics undergirding youthwork.

Leo Alamillo has been part of the UC Davis community since 2009, which includes his time as a student where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – Public Service and Chicano/a Studies. He also holds a Master of Science in Career Counseling from Sacramento State. Leo knew his career would be in Higher Education when he became an Orientation Leader and Peer Advisor for the office of New Student Programs and fell in love with the field. He’s worked as an Orientation Coordinator, College of Letters and Science advisor, College of Engineering advisor, and is now back in the College of Letters and Science.

Leo is passionate about supporting students grow personally, professionally, and academically. He loves learning about their aspirations and helping them achieve and expand their goals. As a first-generation college graduate, he loves teaching students the lessons he learned through experience, so they can navigate the university with more ease.

Caroline Cabias retired from the State of California as Chief Financial Officer of the State Board of Equalization, managing its $500M budget and leading IT, HR, and customer service programs. She also directed the State’s IT Human Resources Classification and Selection Project. Earlier, she held executive roles with the Departments of Toxic Substances Control and Health Services and the Food and Agriculture Agency, earning her first executive appointment before age 30.

She earned a B.A. in Political Science from UC Davis and a Certificate in Public Sector Organization and Management from UCLA Anderson.

Caroline serves on the boards of Samuel Merritt University, UC Davis Foundation, Global Affairs, Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Chicanx Latinx Alumni Associations, the Cesar Chavez Youth Leadership Conference, and the Latino Economic Council of Sacramento. A recipient of the UC Davis Aggie Service Award, she has also served on boards including the UC Davis Cal Aggie Alumni Association, Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the California Attorney General’s Task Force on Upward Mobility.

Eloisa Leal has been deeply engaged in campus and community life throughout their time at UC Davis. They worked at the Equestrian Center during their first, second, and part of their third year, and continue to volunteer there when possible. Their commitment to service also extends to volunteering at Arboretum plant sales, poetry events, and the annual Queer Quince. They have participated in community panels, supported the yearly breast cancer run in Sacramento, and taught classes with the Baile de Fuego Latin Dance Club. As a member of the Latinos in Ag Club, they built community for Latinx students in agriculture, and through the Alianza Bi-National Program, they studied abroad in Mexico City and Oaxaca, researching the cultural and environmental importance of water and maíz.

Leadership has been central to Eloisa’s college journey. They served as President of their Community Council in their first year and later as a Resident Advisor in Casa Cuauhtémoc. At El Centro, they took on roles as Event/Program Intern, Safety Coordinator, and Chicanx/Latinx Graduation Coordinator. Their involvement with the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) includes serving as a STEP Peer Academic Counselor (PAC) and now as an Event Planning PAC. Currently, they serve as President of Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc.

In the future, Eloisa aspires to continue uplifting their community through a career in higher education. They are passionate about supporting underrepresented, first-generation, and low-income students by helping them see that anything is possible with dedication and heart. Their guiding belief is clear: Cuando hay corazón, todo se puede.