GUEST SPEAKERS
Kristen Soares
President, Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU)
Kristen Soares is the fourth president of AICCU. Soares works in partnership with leaders around the state to shape policy for California’s independent colleges and universities. Under her leadership to advance new policy initiatives to address the needs of today’s students, AICCU adopted an agreement with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to adopt the Associate Degree for Transfer pathway, a groundbreaking program to improve community college transfer for students. Soares has an extensive background in higher education, policy, administration, and governmental advocacy. Before coming to AICCU, Soares spent nearly 25 years at the University of Southern California (USC). She served as the senior associate vice president for government relations and civic engagement, where she provided strategic direction and leadership for USC’s government and community relations offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Washington, D.C.
Alex Graves
Vice President for Government Relations, AICCU
Alex Graves is the chief lobbyist and is responsible for legislative advocacy and public policy leadership in support of independent higher education. Graves serves as the liaison between AICCU and the Governor’s Office, the California Legislature, California Student Aid Commission, and other public bodies. Prior to joining AICCU, he worked as the legislative advocate at the California State University Office of Advocacy & State Relations, where he staffed legislation pertaining to admissions, financial aid, K-12 and teacher preparation, student basic needs, and transfer. He has also worked as a legislative assistant at the Alzheimer’s Association, and as a graduate research assistant at the Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy. In 2016-17 he completed the California Education Policy Fellowship Program, a year-long program designed to help equip education leaders address the state’s unique education policy needs.
Thomas Vu
Vice President for Policy, AICCU
Thomas Vu develops and manages the execution of AICCU’s agenda on state and federal policy. This includes outreach and engagement responsibilities with federal and state policymakers; providing original policy development; and cultivating and managing the internal and external stakeholders required for successful policy development and implementation. Vu leads AICCU’s federal advocacy—engaging with Congress, the U.S. Department of Education, and national higher education associations—and manages the association’s communications efforts. He also represents the independent higher education sector on the governing board of the Cradle-to-Career Data System Office, staffs the AICCU Education Deans and Directors Council, and liaises with the state’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Vu’s career has been spent in government relations and public policy. Prior to joining AICCU, he worked at the California Chamber of Commerce as a policy advocate with a portfolio that included transportation and infrastructure, workers’ compensation, and international relations and trade.
Ann McElaney-Johnson
President, Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles
Dr. Ann McElaney-Johnson is the 12th president of Mount Saint Mary’s University, the only women’s university in Los Angeles and one of the most diverse in the nation. She has over 30 years of experience and is recognized as a thought leader for the advancement of women and a champion for innovative teaching and learning. Since her appointment in 2011, Dr. McElaney-Johnson led and implemented a strategic vision for the University that fosters a culture of inclusiveness and excellence, preparing students to be global leaders and pursue purpose-filled lives. Her vision is rooted in the traditions and heritage of the University’s founding Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, as well as the University’s institutional mission. She serves on several executive boards including: Chair of the Board for the Women’s College Coalition, Advisory Board Member of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media at Mount Saint Mary’s, Chair of the Board of the AICCU Executive Committee, Member of the Board of St. Joseph Center, and Member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
Erika Bustamante
Assistant Vice President of State Government Affairs, Stanford University
Erika Bustamante focuses on the day-to-day management and coordination of the university’s activities and relationships with state governmental bodies related to regulatory and legislative issues impacting the university’s mission. Previous to joining Stanford, Bustamante worked in the capacity of Legislative Director for Assembly Member Luis Alejo in the California State Assembly. She was also a 2012 California Science and Technology Policy Fellow.
Sonya Christian
Chancellor, California Community Colleges
Sonya Christian, PhD, is a fierce advocate for the life-changing ability of community colleges to reach underserved populations and educate the future workforce. She is committed to advancing work through distributed leadership and collaborative communities of learning, and to promoting the value of equity in student learning, access, success and economic mobility. Throughout her career Dr. Christian has been committed to advancing work through distributed leadership and collaborative communities of learning, and to promoting the value of equity in student learning, access, success and economic mobility. Her dedication to student success with equity led her to statewide and national leadership roles where she advocated for the cost benefits of adopting a Guided Pathways model. Christian spearheaded the statewide coalition in 2015 that led to securing philanthropic funding for the 20-college Guided Pathways demonstration project in California, leading to a $150M state investment in Guided Pathways and ultimately to the Vision for Success metrics adopted by the Board of Governors in 2017. Christian advanced the framework of Guided Pathways through the newsletter Trailblazers from 2016 to 2020, creating a fundamental base of information for scaling the work statewide. Her work in student success with equity also extends to her leadership in developing and implementing the Early College Program.
Michelle N. Deutchman
Executive Director, UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement
Michelle N. Deutchman is the inaugural executive director of the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement. She oversees the Center’s operations, programming and research including its multidisciplinary national fellowship program. Deutchman facilitates workshops for staff, students, administrators and law enforcement on First Amendment principles and how to safeguard free speech at universities while simultaneously maintaining a safe and inclusive campus climate. Her work to study and shape the national discourse on expression and engagement touches all 10 UC campuses as well as higher education institutions across the county. Before joining the Center, Deutchman served for 14 years as western states civil rights counsel and national campus counsel for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a non-profit organization that combats bigotry, prejudice and anti-Semitism. As national campus counsel, she focused on emerging trends and challenges pertaining to free expression at colleges and universities. Her work included drafting state and federal legislative testimony and creating training modules for use with ADL’s award-winning anti-bias education program. During her tenure at ADL, Deutchman also developed subject matter expertise on hate crime laws and how to respond to bias-motivated incidents effectively.
Martha Escutia
Vice President for State Government Relations, University of Southern California (USC)
Martha Escutia is a former California State Senator. During her 14-year legislative career, Escutia became the first woman to chair both the State Assembly and Senate Judiciary committees. She distinguished herself for tackling tough problems and developing innovative solutions to promote broadband access; encourage environmental remedies in transportation and energy infrastructure; banning junk foods from schools; and ensuring the judiciary was accessible to all litigants. Escutia joined USC in 2013, serving as vice president for state government relations and special counsel. She provides the university strategic advice to advance its institutional mission and academic interests. She is also a member of the AICCU Executive Committee. Escutia volunteers as a guest lecturer in Election Law and Environmental Law at the USC Department of Political Science. She has established mock trial programs in several Eastside high schools, coaching the students to compete at the L.A. County mock trial competitions.
Nathan S. Evans
Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Chief Academic Officer,
The California State University (CSU)
Dr. Nathan Evans was appointed deputy vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs in April 2023 and co-leads the division through June 2024 while the CSU conducts a national search. Evans most recently served as associate vice chancellor and chief of staff, acting as senior designee in the Executive Vice Chancellor’s absence as well as principal advisor on policy development, strategic planning, interdivisional collaboration and organizational development to accomplish division goals and objectives. Evans has held leadership positions in ASA since 2011 and previously served as interim assistant vice chancellor for Student Academic Services and director of Enrollment Management for the CSU. In those capacities, he was responsible for systemwide student academic services, enrollment management, transfer programs and academic advising. His leadership spans academic and student affairs across the postsecondary continuum, from early outreach and TRiO programs to graduate education. He serves as chair of the California College Guidance Initiative Advisory Board, and as a member of California’s Intersegmental Coordinating Council Executive Committee and California’s Cradle to Career System Governing Board.
Jonathan Fansmith
Senior Vice President of Government Relations and National Engagement
American Council on Education (ACE)
Jonathan Fansmith directs ACE’s comprehensive efforts to engage federal policymakers on a broad range of issues including student aid, government regulation, scientific research, and tax policy. His work involves representation before the U.S. Congress, administrative agencies, and the federal courts. As an expert voice on behalf of colleges and universities, he is quoted widely in national and international media on higher education issues.​ Fansmith plays a central part in developing public policy positions that impact all colleges and universities, furthering ACE’s historic role in coordinating the government relations efforts of approximately 60 associations in the Washington-based higher education community. Fansmith coordinates the efforts of the Student Aid Alliance, a coalition of over 80 higher education organizations. He is a member of the Think College National Coordinating Center Accreditation Workgroup, which was created as part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. He also serves on the board of directors of the Foundation for Education Investment and the advisory board of the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students.
Rashinda Hutchinson
President, California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Assistant and Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, UC San Diego
Rashinda Hutchinson is currently an Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UC San Diego. In her role there she specializes in outreach and is passionate about creating clear and engaging messages for students and families to understand the financial aid process with certainty. She has over 19 years of financial aid experience ranging from community college, private colleges, and at the UC level for the past ten years. Hutchinson has also been actively involved in the California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (CASFAA), where she previously served on CASFAA’s Executive Council as the UC Segmental Representative for two years and President Elect for one year. In October 2023, Rashinda began her new role as CASFAA President.
Tae Kang
Division Chief of Program Administration & Services, California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)
Tae Kang oversees the administration of the California Student Aid Commission’s financial aid programs including the Cal Grant, Middle Class and Chafee grant. Additionally, his division provides service and training to students, parents, high schools and universities throughout California. Kang started his financial aid career with the University of California at Davis and Irvine campuses before moving to the California Student Aid Commission in 2006 as an analyst. He rose through the management ranks before promoting to the Division Chief role in December of 2020. He has nearly twenty years of experience in the Higher Education and Financial Aid industry. During his career at the California Student Aid Commission, Kang has been responsible for expanding the state financial assistance programs through technical enhancements, program improvements and student advocacy. He has successfully led the implementation of historic programs and applications such as the Middle Class Scholarship, Race to Submit Dashboard and the California Dream Act Application.
Krista Newkirk
President, University of Redlands
Krista Newkirk is the 12th president of the University of Redlands. Under her leadership, Redlands continues to grow its footprint throughout California, solidifying a successful merger with Presidio Graduate School, which will become a signature part of the university’s School of Business & Society, and an acquisition of Woodbury University. She led the development of a new student-focused strategic plan and continues to build upon Redlands’ Hispanic-Serving Institution designation. This dedication led to the university’s recognition by the U.S. Department of State as a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution Leader– one of only five master’s universities in California to receive such recognition. She serves on several national education boards, including the Executive Committee of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), the Board and Tax Policy Committee of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), the Board of Redlands Bowl, and is a Redlands Rotarian. She frequently presents at conferences nationwide on the dynamic evolution of higher education.
Eva Blanco Masias
Vice President for Enrollment Management, Santa Clara University
Masias has been with Santa Clara University's Undergraduate Admission Office since 2003. As VP for Enrollment Management, she serves on the president's cabinet and oversees the operations of undergraduate admission, university financial aid, and enrollment services. Masias worked for 10 years in Latino media as a leader in ad sales and marketing for several start-up operations launching into Latin American and the U.S. Hispanic market, including Fox Latin American Channel, USA Networks, Discovery Networks, and El Sition.com. She has served on several boards and committees of local and national non-profit organizations and is currently President of the National Catholic College Admission Association.
Justin Monk
Director of Student and Institutional Aid Policy, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU)
Justin Monk is NAICU’s lead policy expert on Title IV federal student assistance programs and the institutional aid programs found in Titles III and V of the Higher Education Act (HEA). He also is responsible for developing association policy positions on student and institutional aid, in conjunction with the association’s member college, university, and association presidents. Previously, Monk was the director of government affairs for the KIPP Foundation, where he was the key advocate advancing the foundation’s policy, legislative and regulatory priorities. Prior to KIPP, he served as Student Veterans of America’s director of policy, during which time he led efforts to increase protections for and improve outcomes of student veterans in higher education.
Marcos Montes
Policy Director, SoCal CAN
Marcos Montes manages SoCal CAN’s policy agenda, Changemakers student advocacy fellowship, and Let’s Go To College CA. He graduated in 2018 from Cal State LA with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Law and Society. He is the first in his family to graduate from a university and a proud product of college success programs. Montes brings a wealth of knowledge around student engagement and student advocacy. He served two years as an executive member Cal State LA’s student government and one year as Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the Cal State Student Association (CSSA). During his time as a student, he was very passionate about improving college affordability, increasing civic engagement, and supporting undocumented students. He received numerous awards commending his work as a student leader including 2017 CSSA Student Advocate of the Year and a State Resolution from the CA Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon in May 2018. Marcos has years of legislative experience, student advocacy, and institutional change.
Sen. Josh Newman
Chair, Senate Committee on Education
In 2016, Sen. Josh Newman ran a successful grassroots campaign for the California State Senate, focused on a message of service, commonsense, and accountability on behalf of the residents of the 16 cities across three counties in California’s 29th Senate District. As the representative to the State Senate, he successfully guided more than 20 pieces of legislation that supported veteran services and mental health resources, improved local schools, helped businesses create jobs, and protected open space. As a public servant, Sen. Newman prides himself on being active, accessible, and accountable, unafraid to put constituents over politics and working families ahead of special interests. Sen. Newman graduated from Yale University, where he majored in History with a focus on 20th Century politics and government.
Meredith Curry Nuñez
Executive Director, Northern California College Promise Coalition (NCCPC)
Nuñez is a long-time social justice advocate working at the intersection of operations, college access, and workforce development. She has worked for local and state nonprofits since 2000, is a product of all three of California’s public higher education institutions, and is passionate about advancing systems change, education equity, and economic mobility. She joined the NCCPC in 2020. As the Executive Director, Nuñez works in partnership with organizations and leaders that are members of NCCPC, and those around the state, for collective impact to increase outcomes for multiply-marginalized underserved students in college access, success, and career launch. Previously, Nuñez was the founding Director of Operations for the California College Guidance Initiative which manages CaliforniaColleges.edu, the State’s official college and career planning platform and an integral part of the CA Cradle to Career Data System.
Maureen O’Connor
President, Palo Alto University
Maureen O’Connor, PhD, J.D. is the president of Palo Alto University (PAU) which specializes in Psychology and Counseling. Prior to joining PAU, Dr. O’Connor held multiple roles at the City University of New York (CUNY) in New York City over a period of 18 years. Dr. O’Connor completed a PhD and J.D. in a dual degree program in psychology, law, and policy at the University of Arizona and clerked for the late Honorable Patricia Wald, then Chief Judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals prior to launching her academic career. An American Psychological Association (APA) Fellow, she has held numerous governance roles in APA, including as Chair of its Task Force on Human Rights. She has been active in the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI/APA Division 9) for many years, including serving as its President. Recent work focused on evidence-based pedagogy development for doctoral students, and on innovative mentoring strategies. Her 2019 book, Teaching Psychology: An Evidence-Based Approach (2019), with co-authors Drs. Jill Grose-Fifer and Patricia Brooks, was published by Wiley Press. She is a member of the 39th class of the American Leadership Fellows program in Silicon Valley and serves on the Executive Committee of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities.
Eloy Ortiz Oakley
President & CEO, College Futures Foundation
As president and CEO of the College Futures Foundation, Oakley works in partnership with organizations and leaders around the state to ensure that more students who reflect California’s diversity can complete their postsecondary journeys, access the opportunity for a better life, and participate in an inclusive and robust economy. Eloy is known as a leading voice on improving equity in higher education and for positioning institutions for global shifts in the workforce and the future of learning. Previously, Oakley was chancellor for the California Community Colleges, the nation’s largest higher education system, serving mostly students of color, many of whom are low-income and the first in their families to attend college. There he has been instrumental in the development and adoption of the Vision for Success, a guiding set of goals and commitments designed to significantly improve the system’s student outcomes.
Maggy Ralbovsky
President, RW Jones Agency
Maggy Ralbovsky develops communications strategies and provides issues management counsel in support of leaders at colleges, universities, policy institutes and foundations. She joined the RW Jones Agency in 2016 after two decades of providing national media relations counsel at Morrison & Tyson Communications. Previously, Ralbovsky was a member of the University Relations team at the University of Michigan, where her responsibilities included speechwriting, media relations and special communications projects for President Jim Duderstadt. She came to the University of Michigan by way of The New York Times, where she was a business correspondent. Additional professional adventures included positions as coordinator of the International Business program at the Universität Mannheim in Germany; account executive at Connors Communications, a public relations firm in New York; and government relations associate with the National Council of Savings Institutions in Washington.
John C. Reynolds
President, Los Angeles Pacific University
Dr. Reynolds is the first President of Los Angeles Pacific University (LAPU), having founded LAPU’s founding institutions, Azusa Pacific Online University (2011) and Azusa Pacific University College (2014). Reynolds served as CIO and Executive Vice President for 16 years at Azusa Pacific University before being named President of Los Angeles Pacific University in 2018. Reynolds earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science and information systems, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education. His research interests in leadership, organizational effectiveness, change management, and strategic thinking have resulted in several publications in leadership and strategy, particularly relating to nonprofit organizations. A regular speaker at national conferences throughout the world, he has also consulted in more than 40 countries and traveled to more than 80 countries to speak, consult, and advise national NGO leaders. He serves on several nonprofit and educational boards, including African Enterprise (USA), African Enterprise (Canada), Brewer Direct, LCC International University (Lithuania), Opportunity International, Christian Leadership Alliance, and API Educational Foundation (South Africa).
Nick Romo
Senior Lobbyist, Cruz Strategies
Nick Romo brings a decade of experience in local and state government. Prior to joining Cruz Strategies, Romo served as the Revenue, Taxation, and Environmental Representative for the League of California Cities during which he bolstered local tax revenues and led local climate action policy. He also played a critical role in securing $8 billion in fiscal relief for California’s local governments in the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) and CARES Act. Romo has also served as a policy consultant in the California State Senate where he focused on economic development, education, and emerging energy technologies. He got his start in the administrations of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Romo has been recognized as a President Obama Hope Fellow, Gilman International Scholar, Capitol Fellow, and holds honors in Political Studies and Sociology from Pitzer College, a member of the Claremont Colleges.
Michelle Rubalcava
Partner, Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, LLP
Michelle Rubalcava is a partner in the firm’s government law section. She works on a variety of issues, including health care, environmental regulation, financial services, local government administration and services and the initiative and referendum process. Prior to joining Nielsen Merksamer, Rubalcava was employed as a Legislative Advocate for the County of Los Angeles. She has over 25 years of extensive experience in and around state politics and as a health care attorney and legislative advocate. She has worked for distinguished legislators, such as Sen. Denise Moreno Ducheny and Sen. Bryon D. Sher, and worked as a healthcare attorney for the California Medical Association during the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, one of the most dynamic times in the history of healthcare in this country.
Louis Stewart
Head of Strategic Initiatives for the Developer Ecosystem, NVIDIA
At NVIDIA, Stewart is responsible for working with minority serving institutions, government entities, industry partners and a variety of affinity groups to build relationships that enable an increase in tech preparedness, grow the overall developer base and foster a more inclusive AI community. He served as the City of Sacramento's first Chief Innovation Officer for three years prior to joining the tech leader. Stewart also spent seven years serving as California's Deputy Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. His professional experience also includes 19+ years in the private sector in sales, marketing, and information technology.
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Jamienne S. Studley
President, WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Jamienne S. Studley, President of WSCUC since 2018, has worked across higher education, public service, civil rights and non-profit management to advance equity, student success, and public engagement. She is known for listening, collaborating, and building bridges to build effective organizations and achieve policy change. While serving as deputy undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Education (2013-2016) she helped guide its work to advance student success and accountability through the College Scorecard, accreditor policy and dashboards, the “engines of opportunity” initiative, and K-16 community partnerships. During this time, she also served as acting undersecretary and assistant secretary for postsecondary education. Earlier she was a member and chair of the Department’s National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) and deputy and then acting general counsel.
Mike Villines
Principal Owner, Villines Group, LLC
Mike Villines was elected to the California State Assembly in 2004 to represent the 29th Assembly District, which includes the counties of Fresno and Madera. Villines was Assembly Minority Leader for three years and in that capacity was a member of the Big 5, which includes all four Legislative Leaders and the Governor. As Minority Leader, Villines was one of the principle negotiators for three state budgets, giving him detailed experience in the state budgeting process. He served the Constitutional limit of 3 terms in the Assembly and was termed out in 2010 and since then has built a successful Lobbying and Public Affairs Practice, the Villines Group, LLC, with offices in Sacramento and the Central Valley. Villines has over 25 years of experience in Sacramento working as a senior staff member, being lobbied as an elected official and lobbying elected officials. He currently serves as a volunteer for the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, independent national organization committed to providing specialized educational and enrichment programs for the leaders of our state legislatures.