Future Faculty Fellows

Nancy Esparza-Perez

I am attending Concordia University in pursuit of the MAED in School Counseling degree. My educational career began at my local community college. After completing my general education, I transferred to Channel Island University. I then started school at Channel Island University in January 2020. Unfortunately, only three months later, COVID halted that experience for me. After that I finished my undergraduate virtually and graduated at the end of 2021. I decided to take a gap year after earning my bachelor's degree to decide what career I wanted to pursue. During that time, I exposed myself to different jobs and was able to get a better understanding of what I truly enjoyed. A year ago, I began working at my current job as an Outreach Mentor for my local school district. In this position, I became exposed to the school counselor role, as I work closely with one. From this experience, I grew fond of the role and decided to pursue the career. I have been very fortunate to have met an outstanding school counselor at the school site who motivates me and answers all my questions about the career. My future goal is to be a school counselor in the next few years and work for my local elementary school district. I have realized there needs to be more bilingual school counselors in my community and how essential they are. I plan to use my ability to speak two languages to help my future students.

Malaya Dodson

I have always had a love for learning and working with kids. This journey began with nannying in high school and college, being financially independent since I was 18, and working part-time jobs while pursuing my undergraduate degree in psychology. I tutored, became a registered behavioral therapist, and worked in after-school programs until I found my niche. After graduating with a B.S. in Psychology from Washington State University, I reflected on my career goals and quickly realized through God guiding me that school counseling was my path. I learned something about myself through every experience I have had working with kids. Every day, I showed up for these kids to be the only positive light and conversation they had all day, and I felt very grateful to be able to impact their lives. I want to work in higher education to give students the information and resources I did not get until my senior year of high school when my school counselor saved my life. Through various family events, my family did not have financial means, and I had to drop out of university and find alternative options. Without the help of my counselor, I don’t think I would’ve finished school. I want to be that light for others and let them know there is always another option. No matter what obstacles life has thrown my way, God has always allowed me to make ends meet. My passion for this field is not going away and will only flourish once I graduate. In five years, I will be working as a school counselor in a low-income area, in a high school setting. I want to provide resources and opportunities to students of all backgrounds. I believe every student deserves a chance.

Kelli Yogi

Ever since I was little, I looked up to my mother and dreamed of working in education. I studied how the world and human minds work with a BA in Physics and a minor in Psychology at Cal Poly SLO. After graduating, I traveled the world and taught high school English in Japan for four amazing years. Now, I am pursuing a MAED in School Counseling to help children be their best selves and succeed in this ever-changing world. I want to continue advocating for diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism in education. My world experiences and diverse background make me a valuable team member for discussing different perspectives, and I hope to represent those who get easily overlooked.

Klarissa Liendo

Hello, I started my school journey at my local community college, Allan Hancock College. I first received my associate degree in Criminal Justice and later decided to pursue psychology. I attended the University of Massachusetts's online courses and earned my Bachelor's in Psychology. With my bachelor's degree, I was able to work as an outreach mentor at a local elementary school. My future goals are to earn a Master's in Education specializing in School Psychology. I plan to work as a school psychologist at a school and help where I can. In just two short years, I will be finished with my Master's degree and hopefully moving on to the next level, a Doctorate.

Truc Nguyen

As an educator and servant leader, I've dedicated over a decade to advocating for the holistic development of underserved communities, particularly within Catholic schools and social service systems. Rooted in faith and inspired by Christ's teachings, my journey began with missionary work, fostering resilience, compassion, and a commitment to service. To meet the challenges intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am pursuing additional education in school counseling. I understand that as an educator, my role goes beyond academics to address the comprehensive needs of students. Driven by my commitment to creating a supportive learning environment as a spiritual educator, I am dedicated to continual self-improvement and ongoing education. Through this endeavor, my goal is to gain the knowledge and skills required to effectively address the diverse needs of those I serve. By broadening my expertise in counseling, I aim to empower students to thrive in various aspects of their lives. This dedication to holistic education fuels my desire for personal and professional development, ensuring that I am better prepared to positively influence the lives of those under my care. I choose to attend Concordia University because of its Christian faith values. I'm impressed by how collectively the staff and teachers live out the school's Christian faith values and mission statement. I'm grateful for the opportunity presented by the Future Faculty Fellows scholarship, aligning perfectly with my aspirations to deepen my impact as a compassionate school counselor and servant leader in education.

Daniel Hernandez

My name is Daniel Hernandez and I received my Bachelors from Southern New Hampshire University in 2017. I received my California State teaching credential in 2023 from National University. I am currently a Social Studies teacher at Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach and work as a football coach. I hope to gain greater understanding of ways that I can be a better teacher and better support my students. I love working with students and investing in their lives.