KIE Valley Strong Fellows

Current Student Fellows

David Silva
David Silva

2025-2026Master Student, Public Policy and Administration

More About David Silva
David Silva descends from the Pascua Yaqui, Tohono O’ Odham, and Mayan people. Currently he is pursuing a Master of Public Administration Degree on campus. Through his work he has become CSUB’s first Tribal Liaison to directly repair, strengthen, and create the bonds and relationships with local Tribal Nations that surround our community. David is dedicated to serving his community through collaborative events and volunteering his time to local organizations that serve an underrepresented population. This fellowship project will focus on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Epidemic and hopefully provide a much-needed spotlight.
Olive Garrison
Olive Garrison

2025-2026Doctoral Student, Educational Leadership

More About Olive Garrison
Olive Garrison (they/them) is a doctoral student in Educational Leadership at California State University, Bakersfield. A high school social studies teacher and curriculum leader, their academic and personal interests include LGBTQ+ advocacy, Indigenous education, and equity in K–12 schools. Olive’s fellowship project focuses on the experiences of LGBTQ+ educators navigating political backlash, using narrative inquiry to center marginalized voices and challenge systems of oppression in education.
Jose Sanchez Cortez
Jose Sanchez Cortez

2025-2026B.S. Student, Kinesiology

More About Jose Sanchez Cortez
I'm currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology with the goal of becoming a physical therapist and TSAC-F certified, serving as a commissioned officer in a military setting. My academic interests include nutrition and tailored training methods for diverse physical endeavors, while personally I'm passionate about reading—especially nonfiction, classics, history, and professional development. Through my fellowship, I'm excited to develope an ethics workshop for aspiring physical and occupational therapists. 

Past Student Fellows

James Tompkins
James Tompkins, Master Student, Social Work

2024-2025

More About James Tompkins
Fellowship project: Project rebound's Future Scholars Initiative
Paulette Hacopian
Paulette Hacopian, Ed. D. Student, Educational

2024-2025

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Fellowship project: "Disability Accomodations at CSUB"
Steven Contreras
Steven Contreras

B.A. Student, Political Science2024-2025

More About Steven Contreras

Fellowship project: "Youth Sports Mentoring"
Carmen Tomshack-Vasquez
Carmen Tomshack-Vasquez

B.A. Student, Philosophy and Religious Studies2023-2024

More About Carmen Tomshack-Vasquez

Fellowship project: "Civil Disagreement in High Schools"
Paola Calderon
Paola Calderon

B.A. Student, Kinesiology2023-2024

More About Paola Calderon

Fellowship project: "Combatting Excercise and Nutrition Misinformation"
Sarah Alame
Sarah Alame

Master Student, Biology2023-2024

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Fellowship project: "Environmental Ethics Awareness"
Miche Simmons
Miche Simmons

B.A. Student, History2022-2023

More About Miche Simmons
Fellowship project: "Social-emotional Learning and Theatre in K-12 Education"
Timothy Lafondez
Timothy Lafondez

Master Student, Public Policy and Administration2022-2023

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Fellowship project: "Environmental Justice and Carbon Sequestration"
Erick Torres
Erick Plata Torres

B.A. Student, Sociology2022-2023

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Fellowship project: "Serving Undocumented and Underrepresented Students at CSUB"
Ryan Fergon
Ryan Fergon

B.A. Student, Philosophy2021-2022

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Fellowship project: "Civil Disagreement"
Chidinma Okie-Dike
Chidinma Okie-Dike

B.A. Student, Nursing2021-2022

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Fellowship project: "Ethics and Healthcare"
Cass Sheppard
Cass Sheppard

B.A. Student, Political Science2021-2022

More About Cass Sheppard
Fellowship project: "Civics Education and Social Justice"
Sergio Solorzano
Sergio Brito Solorzano

Master Student, Educational Counseling2020-2021

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Fellowship Project: "Professional Development and Advancement Speaker Series for CSUB/POC Students"
Natalie Velasco
Natalie Velasco

Master Student, Public Policy and Administration2020-2021

More About Natalie Velasco
Fellowship project: "Peer Mentoring for Incarcerated Students"
Brittany Johnson
Brittany Johnson

B.A. Student, Philosophy2020-2021

More About Brittany Johnson
Fellowship Project: "Ethics, Diversity, and Inclusion in Healthcare"