Alumni

ALFRED RESERVA

GENERAL CONTRACT AT RESERVA CONSTRUCTION

B.S. IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING WITH A MINOR IN MATERIAL SCIENCE | UC IRVINE

Alfred was part of the original 150 students that were selected for Preuss back in 1999, when classes were held in bungalow classrooms on UCSD campus. He was involved in some of the firsts at Preuss including ASB, cross country, lacrosse, and Botball LEGO Robotics. He is currently in pursuit of his Masters in Business Administration at San Diego State University.

“I like to think that Preuss was the foundation for my success because I was surrounded by other people who had similar goals to excel. Our first goal back then was to go to college. I still try to surround myself to this day with people that have similar goals (or even bigger goals than I have) personally and professionally. Making goals and taking conscious steps towards reaching those goals have helped me succeed.”

ALFRED ARAUJO

PRODUCTION PLANNER AT NORTHROP GRUMMAN

B.A. IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Working at Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector has allowed Alfredo to see a world that many people only dream of, such as the James Webb Telescope. Alfredo had the opportunity to work with critical space flight hardware such as NASA’s commercial resupply service which supports the international space station. “These innovations help us realize that there is so much out there for us to explore in this universe, and I am happy to be a part of it,” he comments.

“Preuss was a great foundation to my career as it showed me the time and effort it would take to succeed in the real world. Preuss gave me the skill set to succeed in college while also creating a supportive network of lifelong friends that were beneficial in my career and personal development.”

MABI CASTRO

LEGISLATIVE POLICY ADVISOR FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO

B.A. IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES | UC LOS ANGELES

MASTER'S IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND NATIONAL SECURITY STRIDES | UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID

Since graduating college, Mabi has worked in government affairs. She helps analyze and create policy in areas such as natural resources and education. In her role as a legislative policy advisor for San Diego County, she focuses on giving back. “I want to make sure that any opportunity I can, I am advocating for resources to go to communities that need it most.”

As a Gates Millennium Scholar, she attended UC Los Angeles and studied abroad tuition-free. She attributes her five-year, life-altering college experience to Preuss. “Having the support of the community, having the support of UCSD, is part of what built my confidence as a student. Very much to this day, that’s what I carry with me. I feel that I am a byproduct of all those programs and people that believed in me.”

KELLY DIEP

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE LEAD AT BLOCK

B.A. IN HISTORY AND SCIENCE, ECONOMICS | HARVARD COLLEGE

J.D. | HARVARD LAW SCHOOL

Kelly is currently the Corporate Governance Lead at Block (formerly known as Square) where she oversees corporate governance and advises on SEC and NYSE reporting and disclosure.

“My family immigrated from Vietnam to the U.S. when I was four because my parents wanted their children to have better opportunities. Preuss laid the foundation for those opportunities. My teachers created an intellectually rigorous and supportive environment that set me up for success after graduation. They not only encouraged me to challenge myself academically, but also to explore interests outside of class that made me well-rounded and allowed me to grow as a leader.”

MONIKA LANGARICA

SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY: CENTER FOR IMMIGRATION LAW AND POLICY AT UC LOS ANGELES

B.A. IN AMERICAN STUDIES, POLITICAL SCIENCE | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

J.D. DOCTOR OF LAW | UC BERKELEY

Monika graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California and from UC Berkeley School of Law. She is now a Senior Staff Attorney at the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UC Los Angeles School of Law (CILP) but remains based in San Diego. Langarica leads CILP’s litigation and advocacy concerning border policies and pathways for people to access humanitarian protection in the United States.

Previously, Monika was the Immigrants’ Rights Staff Attorney at the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties and before that she provided direct services to incarcerated individuals facing deportation. Langarica is a founder of the Borderlands Get Free Fund, the first immigration bond fund established in the California border region.

DARLENE LOPEZ

SENIOR MANAGER AT TIKTOK LATIN MUSIC PARTNERSHIPS

B.A. IN POLITICAL SCIENCE, COMPARATIVE POLITICS | UC SAN DIEGO

M.A. IN STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

As the child of Peruvian immigrants, Darlene knows what it’s like to be the first. Her dream was to work in Entertainment telling Black and Brown stories. After graduating from USC, Darlene secured internships at the Los Angeles Rams in Corporate Communications and at NBCUniversal Pictures in Multicultural Marketing.

Now, Darlene is at TikTok, leading Latin music partnerships in North America, where she is able to harness the power of the platform for Latin music discovery, artist promotion, and cultural campaigns to connect fans with artists like Peso Pluma, Becky G, and Ivan Cornejo.

JAVIER MENDEZ

PRODUCT DESIGNER AT APPLE

B.S. IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING | CSU SAN LUIS OBISPO

From being a first-generation college student to shipping first-generation products at Apple, none of it would have been possible without the foundation laid at Preuss. Javier has spent over a decade at Apple, where he has had the privilege of working on product design teams that deliver products used by millions of people worldwide.

Javier’s parents immigrated to the U.S. at a young age and as they started a new life in an unfamiliar place they had to “Learn by Doing”. “I’m forever grateful to Preuss and the staff who helped fill in the gaps that my family could not during such formative years. They led me down a path no one in my family had traveled before, but now my younger relatives consider a possibility. Thank you.”

JONATHAN WOSEN

SCIENCE JOURNALIST FOR STAT NEWS

B.A. IN BIOLOGY | WILLIAMS COLLEGE

M.S. IN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION | UC SANTA CRUZ

PH.D. IN IMMUNOLOGY | STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Jonathan is a science journalist for STAT News, a national news outlet focused on health and medicine, where he covers stories about the biotech industry and life sciences. His stories have ranged from investigating scientific misconduct to chronicling efforts to develop treatments for deadly diseases.

His dual passion for science and storytelling dates back to his Preuss days. He fell in love with journalism after covering global news for the Preuss Insider as a freshman and as editor-in-chief during junior year.

"I still remember interviewing classmates and teachers about everything from their efforts to support survivors of Hurricane Katrina to their views on the U.S. holding detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Asking tough questions and sharing stories with the people around me felt incredibly fun and important. All these years later, that's how I still feel about journalism."

JAKE STICKA

VICE PRESIDENT AT RATIONAL 360

B.A. IN GOVERNMENT | GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

Jake is a Vice President at Rational 360, a leading full-service strategic communications and digital agency in Washington DC. Prior to joining the Rational 360 team, Jake was a Partner at Rising Tide Interactive, where he developed break-through campaigns for a variety of clients, including World Central Kitchen, Southern Poverty Law Center, FWD.us, and a number of Democratic campaigns.

During the 2020 election cycle, Jake served as Digital Director and Paid Media Advisor for Amy Klobuchar's presidential campaign. Under Jake's leadership, the campaign executed a digital voter communication program grounded in authentic content and data-driven strategy. Senator Klobuchar's campaign ultimately raised more than $42 million online.

NATALICIO SERRANO

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA GILLINGS SCHOOL OF GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH

B.S. IN PUBLIC HEALTH | SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

MASTER'S IN PUBLIC HEALTH, HEALTH PROMOTION AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES | SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

PH.D. IN PUBLIC HEALTH | BROWN SCHOOL AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS

Natalicio is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Behavior at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. His research aims to create equitable and sustainable opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles in traditionally disadvantaged communities. This includes understanding and addressing issues of structural racism, segregation, and gentrification.

“Preuss provided multiple opportunities for my initial growth as a scholar – from summer programs to internships, it was the first domino that led me to my current path as a health equity scholar. Preuss’ strong sense of community also helped form lifelong friendships and bonds that will never be broken!”

ALYSON DE LA ROSA

FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST AT THE PREUSS SCHOOL

B.A. IN SOCIAL WELFARE, MINOR IN EDUCATION AND SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES | UC BERKELEY

MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK | SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

Alyson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker residing in San Diego, California. She completed her undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley where she received a bachelor’s in Social Welfare with double minors in Education and South/Southeast Asian Studies. Shortly after undergrad, she obtained her Master’s of Social Work from San Diego State University, followed by her Pupil Personnel Services Credential.

Alyson's educational and professional experience assisted her with the opportunity to work with youth and families, provide social emotional support, and create strong therapeutic connections. She currently works as one of the Family Support Specialists at The Preuss School.

JOCELYNN NOBOUPHASAVAN

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF TRANSFER ADMISSIONS AT ARTCENTER COLLEGE

B.A. IN HISTORY OF ART | UC BERKELEY

M.S. IN HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION | NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

At The Preuss School, Jocelynn developed the penchant to help others. Her counselors and teachers were her strongest support system in her academic and personal journeys. She always wished for a career path that enabled her to help others as the staff and faculty at The Preuss School had done for her. In her current position, she advocates for and supports the journey of dedicated visual artists to the ArtCenter College of Design, a global leader in art and design education.

She volunteers as a mentor for BobaTalks, which is a non-profit organization that helps students navigate the ambiguities of career and personal development through coffee-chat style mentorship with industry professionals.

JOSEPH MELENDEZ

HEAD OF IOT AT TENSORIOT INC.

B.A. IN COMPUTER ENGINEERING WITH A MINOR IN MATHEMATICS

Joseph took on several software-related roles before joining the IoT team as a software engineer at TensorIoT - a consulting company in Irvine that leverages modern technologies, such as IoT and Machine Learning, to help businesses achieve their goals. Five years later, he now leads this same team.

“There's no doubt that my journey would have been different without Preuss. This school equipped me with the necessary tools to excel in both college and the professional world. The staff recognized the potential in me and my peers, and committed to our futures by fostering an environment of growth. I am truly grateful for the opportunities I was given at Preuss, and I hope that we can continue to support future generations in their journeys to success!"

INDIRA ESPARZA GALEANA

SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER AT THE PREUSS SCHOOL

B.A. IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND GOVERNMENT | UC SAN DIEGO

M.ED. ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER EDUCATION | UC SAN DIEGO

Indira attended UC San Diego as a Chancellor’s Associates Scholar majoring in political science and education studies. She then went on to earn her master’s degree at UC San Diego. After completing her student teaching at Preuss, she taught humanities at High Tech High in Chula Vista while completing a credential in social studies.

She served as the keynote speaker at the Preuss Promise benefit in 2019, where she shared her story as the daughter of immigrant parents who sought to give their children a better education than they were able to achieve. She became the first Preuss alum to ever return to teach at the school and is currently a Social Studies teacher at The Preuss School.

RUBI MORALES

REGIONAL PLANNER AT SANDAG

B.A. IN POLITICAL ECONOMY | UC BERKELEY

MASTER'S IN CITY PLANNING | SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

Rubi is a Regional Planner based in San Diego with an undergraduate degree in Political Economy from UC Berkeley, and a Master of City Planning from San Diego State University. Her academic research has focused on existing conditions of San Diego communities, the politics of public space, and the theoretical constructs that have historically shaped the way planners approach challenges in urban neighborhoods.

Most recently, Rubi has started Urban Planning Besties, a club that introduces urban planning to youth via placemaking activities in addition to educational TikTok videos.

MARIO FLORES

CIVIL ENGINEER AT LINSCOTT, LAW AND GREENSPAN, ENGINEERS (LLG)

B.S. IN CIVIL ENGINEERING | SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

“Preuss gave me the tools needed for success in college, most notably, the foundation of learning how to learn. I continue to have the desire to learn and broaden my knowledge, both in my career and personal life.”

JOSIE M FLORES-GONZALEZ

ACCOUNTANT

BACHELOR OF ACCOUNTANCY | UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO

“Preuss gave me a safe space to learn out loud and be unapologetically me. In addition to the practical skills I acquired, particularly the ability to network and interview, I'm forever thankful for the lifelong friendships I gained at Preuss. Preuss really works!”

VICTOR FRANCO JR.

PROGRAM LEAD: ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

B.S. IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING | SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

“Preuss gave me the freedom to explore who I wanted to be as an adult. I’d like to thank all my teachers who supported and guided me to become a successful scholar. I will forever cherish my memories at Preuss!”

JAWAD AL BAGHDADI

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AT THE SAN DIEGO DIPLOMACY COUNCIL

B.A. IN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION | SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

“Preuss gave me the opportunity to live out the dreams my parents could never realize. It allowed a little boy from Damascus to believe that his voice, place, and background mattered. For that, I will be eternally grateful.”

SAMANTHA CHAMPI

COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM MANAGER AT THE CENTER FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT AT UC SAN DIEGO

B.A. IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT | UC SAN DIEGO

M.A. IN STUDENT AFFAIRS | SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

“Preuss gave me a community. It taught me the meaning of compassionate leadership and the power of having someone believe in you. Preuss had teachers and faculty who genuinely cared about me and my holistic wellbeing. It gave me guidance, mentorship, and connections that have allowed me to flourish and be where I am today. I am extremely grateful and proud to be a Preuss alum!”

SARAH TÁNORI

PROFESSOR AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY, GROSSMONT COLLEGE, AND SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE

B.A. IN RHETORIC AND WRITING STUDIES | SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

M.A. IN RHETORIC AND WRITING STUDIES WITH A TEACHING OF WRITING SPECIALIZATION | SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

During her graduate studies, Sarah pursued a Master’s in RWS with a specialization in the teaching of writing. Currently, she works as an instructor at the community college and university level. Sarah teaches ethnic studies focused composition and creative writing courses in the Chicano Studies Department at SDSU and in the Ethnic, Gender, and Social Justice Studies Program at Grossmont College. She is also teaching English courses at San Diego City College.

In her work, Sarah is passionate about discussing the role of anti-racism and linguistic justice in writing classrooms.

NAHIELY REZA

ASSOCIATE SOCIAL WORKER AT UNIVERSAL COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

B.A. IN PSYCHOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES | COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS

MSW INTERPERSONAL PRACTICE IN INTEGRATED HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

MPH HEALTH BEHAVIOR HEALTH EQUITY | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

After Nahiely graduated from College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, she moved back home to San Diego and worked for five years in community mental health services. During her time in Michigan, Nahiely provided bilingual therapy to Mexican and Central American immigrants in the Metro Detroit area, worked on the City of Ann Arbor’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Program, and supported anti-racism initiatives at Michigan Medicine and the School of Social Work’s DEI office.

“I am grateful to Preuss for preparing me with a rigorous education that helped me excel in higher education. One of my favorite memories from Preuss is when alumni visited. More specifically, I loved hearing the experiences of alumni in graduate programs because they motivated me to never stop dreaming! To this day, I continue looking up to the Preuss alumni that came before me!”

CELESTE MARTINEZ DE LUNA

COLLEGE & TRANSITION COORDINATOR

B.S. IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY WITH A MINOR IN EDUCATION | UC SAN DIEGO

Preuss was Celeste’s introduction to the field of counseling, as she was one of the founding members of the Chelsea's Light peer counseling program. "The teacher advisors of that group, Mr. Carr and Ms. Patrick, empowered and entrusted us with supporting our peers, a concept ahead of its time! They have kept me connected to Preuss, as they have supported me as a multifaceted human."

Outside of her job, she is a writer, artist, and community empowerment educator. Preuss was her first time having her work published via the school newspaper. "Writing started as a hobby, and became my preferred method of providing resources to my community. I self-published my first book in 2020, and am currently working on my second poetry book, coming out 2024! I thank Preuss for giving me access to higher education, debt free! I learned the power of my community and the change I wanted to make in the world."

DANIEL MILLION

HOME HEALTH LIAISON AT COMFORT AND THRIVE HOME HEALTH

B.A. IN NEUROSCIENCE | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

M.S. IN APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES WITH A CONCENTRATION IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES | KECK GRADUATE INSTITUTE

MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH | GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

MASTER OF HEALTH SCIENCES | MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE

With the tools Daniel received from Preuss, he earned the United Negro College Fund Gates Scholarship to the University of Southern California. At USC, he worked with organizations such as Project Concern International, the COPE Health Scholars program, and USC Residential Education. His favorite experience was having the opportunity to become a UNCF ambassador.

After graduating from KGI, he began his MPH at George Washington University. He worked on the Birth Equity Catalyst Project, which aimed to address high maternal mortality rates for women of color in rural communities. The project inspired him to do his MPH final culminating research experience on the Best Practices for Cervical Cancer Prevention for African-American mothers in rural communities.

JOEY UY

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ASSOCIATE AT THE NEW YORK LGBT CENTER

B.A. IN POLITICAL SCIENCE, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/URBAN STUDIES AND PLANNING | UC SAN DIEGO

M.A. IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT, FOCUS ON INTERNATIONAL POLICY AND PLANNING | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Joey leads strategic community engagement and advocacy efforts at The New York LGBT Center. They organized The Center's first ever LGBTQ+ AAPI Food Market, bringing over 600 people to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month and to learn about the AAPI LGBTQ+ experience. Additionally, their passion for fashion and performance finds expression through drag.

“The Preuss School laid the foundation for these accomplishments by instilling in me a strong sense of community, resilience, and a commitment to sharing my authenticity. I am forever grateful to the faculty, staff, and fellow classmates who have supported me during my formative years, and hope to reunite with them to look back on our growth.”

HILARY LIAO

AUDIT SENIOR ASSOCIATE IN TECHNOLOGY ASSURANCE

B.S. IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, CONCENTRATION IN ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS | CSU SAN LUIS OBISPO

Hilary attended California Polytechnic University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a double concentration in Accounting and Management Information Systems in 2019. Currently, she works as an Audit Senior Associate in a public accounting firm, specializing in Technology Assurance. Outside of professional pursuits, Hilary is an amateur tennis player.

The Preuss School instilled in her a strong work ethic and a passion for lifelong learning. Hilary is deeply grateful to The Preuss School for providing her with the tools and mindset necessary for personal and professional growth.

ANAIS ORTIZ

PUBLIC HEALTH DOCTORAL STUDENT AT UC IRVINE JOE C. WEN SCHOOL OF POPULATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH

B.S. IN GLOBAL HEALTH, BIOLOGY, AND HEALTH CARE SOCIAL ISSUES | UC SAN DIEGO

M.P.H. IN DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION | CSU FULLERTON

Anais attended the University of California San Diego, where she earned a bachelor of science in global health and a double minor in biology and health care social issues. Following graduation, she worked as a research assistant for the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Research Institute on clinical studies and projects promoting diabetics’ health among San Diego Latinos.

“The Preuss School gave me a safe space to grow and find myself and my passions. Transitioning into college was a challenging experience, but I am grateful for the support and reassurance that gave me a strong foundation and kept me going during the most difficult times.”

GEMMA RUBI

MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER AT HIGH TECH MIDDLE

B.A. IN SPANISH, GENDER AND SEXUALITY STUDIES, AND EDUCATIONAL STUDIES | BATES COLLEGE

MASTER'S IN TEACHING AND LEARNING | HIGH TECH HIGH GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Rubi currently teaches 6th grade math and science. The role models, teachers, and mentors she had at The Preuss School UC San Diego instilled in her a passion for learning that she hopes to pass on to all of her students. Her experiences also brought out her curiosity about the people and world around her. She enjoys learning about her students, what they’re passionate about, what they’re curious about, and what they’re looking forward to.

NGHI DANG

PROGRAM MANAGER AT THE UC SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH

B.S. IN PUBLIC HEALTH | UC SAN DIEGO

MPH IN TECHNOLOGY AND PRECISION HEALTH WITH A SPECIALIZATION IN HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN | UC SAN DIEGO

“Preuss gave me a strong foundation for a hard work ethic and a lifelong supportive community of friends and mentors. Moreover, Preuss opened my eyes to opportunities I couldn't have imagined achieving on my own.”

LUIS LARIOS

FIELD ENGINEER AT HENSEL PHELPS

B.S. IN CONCRETE INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT WITH A MINOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION | CSU CHICO

During his time at CSU Chico, Luis was part of many clubs on campus such as the Design-Build Institute of America, American Concrete Institute, and International Concrete Repair Institute. He completed an internship for Balfour Beatty as the Project Engineer at the Fallbrook High School Modernization Project, where he helped manage the project along with his team. For Hensel Phelps, he served as both an Office and Field Engineer for the Delta Sky Way Project at LAX, where he assisted his team in both the office management side and the field management side of the project.

Currently, Luis is an Office Engineer at Harbor UCLA Medical Center Replacement Program project where he is overseeing the Interior Finishing scope of work. 

ERIC TRAN

FINANCIAL ADVISOR AT EQUITABLE

B.A. IN PUBLIC AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

Eric graduated from Princeton University in 2022 with a bachelor's degree from the School of Public and International Affairs and a minor in the History and Practice of Diplomacy. He is a financial advisor with Equitable, where he primarily works with teachers and their families to help them take control of their financial futures.

"I firmly believe that no other school could have prepared me as well as Preuss did for the rigor of an Ivy League education, especially for a student from my socioeconomic background. My experiences with my amazing classmates, passionate teachers, and other extremely supportive staff at Preuss made it possible for me to not just attend Princeton, but also provided me with the foundation to excel there."

OLIVIA JOSEPH

PROGRAM COORDINATOR AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN LATINO

B.A. IN COMMUNICATION WITH A MINOR IN SOCIO-CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY | UC SAN DIEGO

Olivia attended the University of California, San Diego, where they earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in socio-cultural anthropology. Currently they are a Quilt Research Fellow at Mingei International Museum, and an Undergraduate Assistant for the Latino Museum Studies Program at the National Museum of the American Latino.

At Mingei, their research will contribute to the curation of a quilt show titled, Layered Narratives: Quilted Stories of Gender and Race at the 1876 Centennial. This exhibition will take place from May 2025 to November 2025, and will explore gender and racial politics at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition through the medium of centennial quilts from Mingei’s permanent collection. Their work with the Latino Museum Studies Program, on the other hand, helps to increase hands-on training opportunities for Latina/o/x-identifying undergraduate students interested in museum careers.

JOSE CARREON

PRODUCTION MANAGER AT NASSCO

B.S. IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND LOGISTICS | CSU MARITIME ACADEMY

Jose graduated from California Maritime Academy in May of 2023 and is now at General Dynamics NASSCO (National Steel and Shipbuilding Company) where they specialize in both new construction and repair for the Navy and commercial clients.

“Preuss gave me the opportunity to attend the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo where I studied International Business and Logistics in the Maritime industry. Preuss helped me to build a hard working mindset and to acquire all the tools I needed to excel in the academic field. I was fortunate enough to have many wonderful faculty and staff ready to guide me whenever I needed help.”