| Service & Leadership

My approach to service and leadership is grounded in the belief that scholarship extends beyond the classroom. Throughout my career so far, I have sought opportunities to mentor students, strengthen professional communities, and create spaces where scholars and practitioners can learn from one another. Whether supporting first-generation students, organizing professional conferences, or serving in leadership roles, my service reflects a commitment to expanding access and supporting in the next generation of disaster and planning researchers and practitioners.

The William (Bill) Averette Anderson Fund Student Council

As Chair of the William (Bill) Averette Anderson Fund (BAF) Student Council, I work alongside the Executive Director to execute the mission of the BAF to expand the number of professionals from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in disaster and hazards research and practice. In this role, I have develop a vision for the tenure of the ’25-’26 Executive Council, coordinate monthly BAF fellows meetings, advocate for and represent the BAF at national conferences. Serving as Chair has allowed me to contribute to a growing network of first-generation and diverse scholars committed to advancing equitable disaster research. It has also provided opportunities to elevate the perspectives of emerging scholars, including representing the Bill Anderson Fund as the only current doctoral student panelist during the 2025 Natural Hazards Workshop plenary, Imagining Future Possibilities—Moving from Vision to Reality.

DREAM Center Scholar-in-Residence

As a Scholar-in-Residence at the UC Irvine DREAM Center, I mentored undocumented and mixed-status students as they navigated higher education and explored opportunities in research and graduate school. Through one-on-one mentorship, workshops, office hours, and campus programming, I supported students in developing academic, professional, and personal pathways while helping cultivate a stronger sense of community and belonging. This experience reinforced my commitment to mentoring first-generation and system-impacted students and continues to shape how I approach teaching, advising, and community-engaged scholarship.

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Latinos and Planning Division, American Planning Association

I have been actively involved with the Latinos and Planning Division of the American Planning Association (APA) since 2019. Since then, I have remained engaged as an active member, regularly serving as a panelist and moderator at APA-sponsored events and academic conferences. Through, I contribute to conversations on equity, planning, disaster justice, and community engagement while supporting opportunities for collaboration among planning scholars, practitioners, and students.

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