Undergraduate Pre-Professional Leaders 2022-2023
Community Coordinators
Alan H Cuevas ’23 (he/they)
Earth Systems
Los Angeles, CA
I'm a senior majoring in Earth Systems with an emphasis on the biosphere. I'm from South Central, LA, a majority Black and Latinx community, which has made El Centro a very special place for me throughout my time at Stanford. I'm passionate about environmental justice, the great outdoors, and my bearded dragon Ziggy! At any moment you can find me giving fun facts about random animals, picking up bugs, or rambling about horror movies.
April Olivia Pacheco ’25 (she/her)
Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity
Los Angeles, CA
I am a first-generation, low-income student who was raised by Mexican parents in Los Angeles, California. I am studying Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity on a pre-law track as am is passionate about making the law more accessible to marginalized individuals and dismantling systemic injustices that target low-income, communities of color. In my free time, I love creating art, reading postmodern literature, and spending time with my family. I am excited to work with El Centro and share the beauty of Latine culture with the rest of Stanford.
Ashley Celada ‘25 (she/her/ella)
Long Beach, CA
I am a sophomore here at Stanford! I was born and raised in Long Beach, CA, and both my parents are immigrants from Guatemala. I am currently undecided in terms of my major, but I know that I want to go into immigration in my future. I am beyond excited to work at El Centro and to have the opportunity to not only get to know more Latinos on campus, but also support them in their endeavors. I am looking forward to having discussions where I can learn more about the overall concept of Latinidad, but also about the unique and amazing differences that each Latin American country and their individual culture has. Aside from this, I also love music and listening to new songs (give me song recs pls!). Can’t wait to see what this year has in store!
Cristian Aguilar Aguilera ‘25 (he/him/el)
International Relations and Iberian and Latin American Culture
Miami, Florida
I was born in Santa Clara, Cuba but was raised in Miami. I love listening to music and dancing. Appreciating diversity and culture is a big part of how I interact with my environment. No matter where I go, I try to learn and share. I hope to keep learning about our comunidad while working at El Centro, and exchange knowledge and experiences with anyone who comes by.
Geana M Marte '24 (she/her)
B.S. Candidate in Human Biology
Teaneck, New Jersey
I’m a junior majoring in Human Biology, with a concentration in the Genetic Basis of Chronic Diseases and Developmental Health and minoring in Data Science. I was born and raised in a Dominican household in the New York City metropolitan area (having lived in Harlem, Dyckman, Westchester, and Bergen County, New Jersey). I never had to go far to be enriched in my own culture, which led to me having a major culture shock when I came to Estanfor. But it shouldn’t have to be that way! While working at El Centro, I want to broaden the horizons of Latinidad and make sure everyone feels at home and represented.
Greta D Romero ’24 (she/her)
Political Science
Arlington, Texas
I’m a junior studying Political Science and Anthropology on a pre-law path! I’m from Arlington, Texas and my parents are Cuban and Mexican. I’m very excited to be staffing at El Centro this year and hope to bring lots of programming that celebrates culture, diversity, and appreciation! So excited to meet everyone in the comunidad!
Jessica Balbin '24 (she/her)
Chemistry
Miami, FL
I’m a chemistry major on the pre-med track. I’m passionate about global health and reducing health inequities across underserved populations. A fun fact about me is that my playlist is 77 hours and 49 minutes long with a wide range of genres ranging from classic rock, hip-hop, trap, bachata, pop, etc.). This year I hope to continue expanding wellness resources for our comunidad. That being said definitely feel free to reach out to me at balbin3@stanford.edu if you have any Centro related questions, or even if you just need to talk to someone!
Leslie Quintana ’25 (she/her)
Los Angeles, CA
Human Biology
I'm a Chicana from Southeast Los Angeles and the daughter of immigrant parents from Acapulco, Guerrero. Some of my interests include both watching and playing basketball, listening to music primarily R&B; my all-time favorite artist is Giveon, and reading cheesy romance novels. I am beyond excited to be working at El Centro and contributing to making the space a safe and welcoming place for all Latinx students on campus. Come through and check out all the great things El Centro has to offer!
Michelle de Fatima Mairena '25 (any pronouns)
Miami, FL
I am Nicaragüense and am studying history and political science. And I immigrated to Miami, Florida seven years ago with my family. I am a second-year student that comes from a line of women journalists, and am passionate about political engagement accessibility and the revolutionary history of Central America. In my free time, I organizes with “Rhizome,” a national nonprofit that I co-founded in 2021 alongside 80+ youth that civically mobilizes high school students from underrepresented communities. I loves rock ñ, sketching, and reading Roque Dalton and Ernesto Cardenal.
Myrka Cruz, ’25 (she/Her)
Sociology & Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity Minor
Columbus, Ohio
I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I'm Zapotec and my parents are from Oaxaca, Mexico. In my free time, I love listening to music, reading, and drawing! My academic interests lie in immigration, Indigenous populations, human rights, and more. Coming from an Indigenous background, it's important for me to help create a space at El Centro which is inclusive of all identities so everyone can feel a sense of belonging.
Ninette Calderon '25 (she/her/ella)
Computer Science
Los Angeles, CA
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA by two immigrant parents from Central America and Mexico. I am currently a first-generation freshman studying Computer Science and Education. In attempts to help those around me and my community, I started a non-profit organization this past year, Care for Los Angelenos, which provides basic care resources to the homeless community in Los Angeles. I aspires to continue contributing to my community back in Los Angeles and now at Stanford by highlighting the potential that resides within’ my first-generation and Latinx peers.
Stephanie Castaneda Perez '23 (she/her)
History & Art Practice
Los Angeles, CA
I am a Mexicana hailing from Los Angeles, California. I'm passionate about community activism and love to spend time learning about the history of Mexican-Americans. In my free time, I also loves to cook, dance, and write.
Frosh Liaisons
Frosh Liaisons are current frosh who serve as a platform between El Centro's staff and the amazing community that comes through the walls of El Centro, especially undergraduate students who are in their first year at Stanford.
Danna Chacon '26 (she/her/ella)
Elizabeth, NJ
Hola a todos! I am a frosh born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, but I’ve been living in the states for over 8 years in the New York and New Jersey area. I am a self proclaimed skin care and health awareness enthusiast. Possibly I would like to go to med school to specialize in dermatology. Other than that I am very passionate about immigrant rights, and advocacy for education access (which I hope to continue here at Stanford). I have two cats; a gray calico, and a persian tabby. I love cats so much but apparently I’m allergic to them so I can’t play with them for long D: In my free time, I enjoy reading or listening to self-improvement books. I feel investing time in our own mindset reflects in the work we do, and it leads us to a more fulfilling life.
I am very excited to join El Centro as I have found it to be such a welcoming place the moment I stepped foot on campus. I hope to do the same with anyone that comes into El Centro. As a fellow latina and FLI student my goal is to promote respect and dignity for our community within Stanford and beyond.
Daniela Gomez Navarro '26 (she/her)
Salinas, CA
Hey Y'all, I am one of the Frosh Liaisons for El Centro this year. I am currently planning on majoring in either Political Science or Sociology. I am passionate about advocating for educational justice and equity. I am so excited to work with everybody at Centro and to serve la comunidad. Con mucho Cariño ❤
German Gonzalez '26
Transfer Liaison
Transfer Liaisons are current transfer students who serve as a platform between El Centro's staff and the amazing community that comes through the walls of El Centro, including those who have recently transferred.
Jane Isabel Hernandez (she/ her/ ella)
Indio and Salinas, CA
Hola, my name is Jane Isabel. I am a Chicana, and a recent transfer student from a community college in the agricultural land of Salinas, CA. Born and raised in Indio, CA; only an hour away from the Mexican border, I grew up witnessing the injustices that directly have affected our comunidad. My lived experiences, and the need to break generational barriers have guided me to believe in cultural empowerment, awareness, and representation.
In addition to working as a transfer liaison at El Centro, I also work as coordinator that addresses food insecurities for students at Hartnell Community College. Working alongside my community, myself and other student leaders have taken on restarting organizations who support cultural empowerment such as MEChA. I am currently serving as one of MEChA’s co-presidents at Stanford. After completion of a CSRE major with a concentration in Education and Injustices, I plan to continue my education to the completion of a PhD, as I hope to someday serve nuestra comunidad as a superintendent of a community college.