executive board of directors OF 2022-2023
PRESIDENT
DESTINY SANTANA (she/her)
The President shall preside over SWGSA meetings and oversee the organization’s activities and responsibilities. Fulfill duties of BOD members who are unable to do so. Represent the student body of the Master of Social Work Program in various capacities and shall be responsible for any action the association takes.
Vice President
ERIC GARCIA (he/him)
The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in the event of the absence of the President. The Vice-President shall also assist the President in duties as needed and fulfill the duties of BOD members who cannot do so.
Eric is also a Host of the Social Work Experience Podcast!
SECETARY
VIVIANE PHAM (she/her)
The Secretary shall record minutes of each meeting, maintain accurate records of all business about the organization, maintain the membership database, and receive and respond to all official correspondence.
co-Treasurer
CHRISTINA WINN (she/her)
The Treasurer shall control all SWGSA funds, their collection, and distribution and keep the general membership informed of financial matters concerning the association. This may also include applying for special grants or A.S. funding on behalf of the organization.
co-TREASURER
JASLYN ABDUL (she/her)
The Treasurer shall control all SWGSA funds, their collection, and distribution and keep the general membership informed of financial matters concerning the association. This may also include applying for special grants or A.S. funding on behalf of the organization.
committee chairS (board of directors)
OUTREACH COMMITTEE CHAIR
Paola Quintanilla (she/her)
The Outreach Chair oversees the outreach committee. The committee will be responsible for active outreach to all current and prospective social work students in the School of Social Work through social media (i.e., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), flyer creation and distribution, website updating, newsletters, and mass email communications.
ONLINE/HYBRID OUTREACH COMMITTEE CHAIR
ALFONSO "FONZIE" SILVA (He/Him/El)
The Outreach Chair oversees the outreach committee. The committee will be responsible for active outreach to all current and prospective social work students in the School of Social Work through social media (i.e., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), flyer creation and distribution, website updating, newsletters, and mass email communications.
CONVOCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR
JOLYSSA LOPEZ (She/Her/Ella)
The Convocation Committee is overseen by the Convocation Chair(s). The committee is responsible for planning and organizing the yearly Social Work Convocation. This includes collaborating with USWA and its representatives. Duties include but are not limited to securing a venue, hiring vendors, sending mass communication, hosting monthly committee meetings, securing guest speakers, and selling tickets.
CONVOCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR
SUN LIM (she/her)
The Convocation Committee is overseen by the Convocation Chair(s). The committee is responsible for planning and organizing the yearly Social Work Convocation. This includes collaborating with USWA and its representatives. Duties include but are not limited to securing a venue, hiring vendors, sending mass communication, hosting monthly committee meetings, securing guest speakers, and selling tickets.
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Mae-Richelle Verano
(They/them)
The Social Justice Chair oversees the SJ committee. Together, the committee oversees any activities related to social justice initiatives that align with the NASW code of ethics. Overall, the main goal of the SJ committee is to spread awareness about social justice initiatives within our community and educate our students about various topics. This can be done by way of workshops, training, or campaigns.
EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR
MARITZA PERALTA (she/her)
The E&E Committee is overseen by the E&E Chair. This committee organizes activities that increase and enhance social work knowledge and skills through workshops, speakers, training, and Authentic Conversations. This may include events such as internship networking mixer, mentoring events, LCSW Info Session, Authentic Conversations, or workshops that empower and further students' education. This may also include partnering with the School of Social Work to co-host the summer/Fall orientation events to welcome new incoming students.
ON-CAMPUS STUDENT REP. CHAIR
RUTH ZAVALA (she/her)
The On-campus Student Rep. Committee is overseen by the On-Campus Student Rep Chair(s). The committee shall include four first-year cohort representatives (i.e., Cohort 1, 2, 3, 4), second/final year on-campus student representative(s), and an advanced standing student representative. The committee works on behalf of the on-campus MSW student population to advocate for their needs and organize events, training, or activities for the on-campus student body.
ONLINE/HYBRID STUDENT REP. CHAIR
AMY YAMAGAMI (she/her)
The Online/hybrid Student Rep. Committee is overseen by the Online/Hybrid Student Rep. Chair(s). The committee shall include three first-year cohort representatives (i.e., Cohort 80, 81, 82) and second/final year online/hybrid student representative(s). The committee is responsible for working on behalf of the SJSU MSW Online student population to advocate for their needs and organize events, training, or activities for the student body.
ONLINE/HYBRID STUDENT REP. CHAIR
FRANCES ROBERTSON (she/her)
The Online/hybrid Student Rep. Committee is overseen by the Online/Hybrid Student Rep. Chair(s). The committee shall include three first-year cohort representatives (i.e., Cohort 80, 81, 82) and second/final year online/hybrid student representative(s). The committee is responsible for working on behalf of the SJSU MSW Online student population to advocate for their needs and organize events, training, or activities for the student body.
PODCAST HOST/CHAIR
Francisco "Pancho" Garcia (he/him)
The Social Work Experience Podcast is a brand-new podcast that was launched in Fall 2022, in partnership between SWGSA and the School of Social Work. The podcast chair oversees the Podcast committee. The committee shall work with the School of Social Work to maintain the Social Work Experience podcast. Duties may include but are not limited to identifying and securing guest speakers, creating marketing materials, advertising the podcast, recording episodes, and creating an episode schedule.
NASW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
ALEXANDRA FERRY (she/her)
Represent SJSU’s School of Social Work, and plan and participate in local NASW activities. The purpose of this position is to act as a bridge between SJSU’s School of Social Work and NASW South Bay Unit. Serve as the liaison between the student organizations/school and NASW. Organize, recruit for, and support Lobby Days.
fundraising/merchandise chairs
DESTINY SANTANA AND ISSAMAR MORFIN
The Fundraising/Merchandise Committee is overseen by the Fundraising Chair(s). Together, the committee shall oversee SWGSA’s merchandise and organize fundraising efforts. This includes but is not limited to designing apparel, keeping track of inventory, shipping orders, coordinating pickups, creating other promotional items, and finding creative ways to fundraise for the organization (i.e., tabling or partnering with local businesses to host fundraising events).
SOCIAL EVENTS CHAIRS
The Social Events Committee is overseen by the Social Events Chair(s). Together, the committee organizes and hosts major events hosted by the association, including and not limited to the annual Social Work Gala, Sunny Side of Social Work, BBQs, Zoom Social, Comedy Night, Friendsgiving, and Back to School Events. The committee may also create and plan other social events outside of the traditional events listed above.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE POSITIONS (NON-EXECUTIVE)
ADVANCED STANDING STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
KAILA GOLDSTEIN (she/her)
Works as a liaison between the Advanced Standing cohort and SWGSA. This includes communicating information between the Advanced Standing cohort and SWGSA.
FIRST-YEAR COHORT 1 REPRESENTATIVE
Yvette Almaraz Gonzalez (she/her)
Cohort representatives shall serve as a liaison between their cohort and SWGSA. They will help relay information between the students and SWGSA, and advocate on behalf of their cohort.
FIRST-YEAR COHORT 2 REPRESENTATIVE
Gregory Munro (He/Him)
Cohort representatives shall serve as a liaison between their cohort and SWGSA. They will help relay information between the students and SWGSA, and advocate on behalf of their cohort.
FIRST-YEAR COHORT 3 REPRESENTATIVE
Lana Gomez (she/her)
Cohort representatives shall serve as a liaison between their cohort and SWGSA. They will help relay information between the students and SWGSA, and advocate on behalf of their cohort.
FIRST-YEAR COHORT 4 REPRESENTATIVE
Jessica Salza Rybnikar (she/her)
Cohort representatives shall serve as a liaison between their cohort and SWGSA. They will help relay information between the students and SWGSA, and advocate on behalf of their cohort.
FIRST-YEAR COHORT 80 REPRESENTATIVE
Alexis Zimmer (she/her)
Cohort representatives shall serve as a liaison between their cohort and SWGSA. They will help relay information between the students and SWGSA, and advocate on behalf of their cohort.
FIRST-YEAR COHORT 81 REPRESENTATIVE
Robin Choudhury (he/him)
Cohort representatives shall serve as a liaison between their cohort and SWGSA. They will help relay information between the students and SWGSA, and advocate on behalf of their cohort.
FIRST-YEAR COHORT 82 REPRESENTATIVE
Alejandra Zavala Carranza (she/her)
Cohort representatives shall serve as a liaison between their cohort and SWGSA. They will help relay information between the students and SWGSA, and advocate on behalf of their cohort.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS (NON-EXECUTIVE)
OUTREACH COMMITTEE MEMBER
Jazmyn Hallman
She/her
OUTREACH COMMITTEE MEMBER
Issamar Morfin
She/her
OUTREACH COMMITTEE MEMBER
Margarita Gaytan
She/her
OUTREACH COMMITTEE MEMBER
Paula Sosa
she/her
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE MEMBER
Natalie Barnett
She/her
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE MEMBER
Jasmin Ortega-Marquez
She/her
EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
Magdalena Lazaro
She/her
EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
Carina Lucas
She/her
EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
Elena Jones
She/Her