executive board of directors OF 2022-2023
PRESIDENT
DESTINY SANTANA (she/her)
The President shall preside over SWGSA meetings, provide oversight to 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 taken by the association.
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.
This year, Eric also oversees the Social Work Experience Podcast and On-Campus Office Hours with Dr.Sen.
SECETARY
VIVIANE PHAM (she/her)
The Secretary shall record minutes of each meeting, maintain accurate records of all business pertaining to the organization, maintain the membership database, and receive and respond to all official correspondence.
co-Treasurer
CHRISTINA WINN (she/her)
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the control of all funds, their collection and distribution, and also for keeping the general membership informed of financial matters concerning the association.
co-TREASURER
JASLYN ABDUL (she/her)
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the control of all funds, their collection and distribution, and also for keeping the general membership informed of financial matters concerning the association.
committee chairpersonS (board of directors)
OUTREACH COMMITTEE CHAIR
Paola Quintanilla (she/her)
The Outreach Committee Officer is responsible for active outreach to all current and prospective social work students in the School of Social Work. Oversees current subcommittees of Social Media, Social Events and Fundraising.
ONLINE/HYBRID OUTREACH COMMITTEE CHAIR
ALFONSO "FONZIE" SILVA (He/Him/El)
The Online/Hybrid Outreach Committee Officer is responsible for active outreach to all current and prospective social work students in the School of Social Work through social activities, participation in orientation events, and mentoring. Oversees current subcommittees of Social Media, Social Events and Fundraising.
GRADUATION committee CHAIR
JOLYSSA LOPEZ (She/Her/Ella)
The Graduation Officer will be the lead organizers for the annual SJSU Social Work Graduation. They will also oversee the graduation committee which consists of BASW and MSW students.
GRADUATION committee CHAIR
SUN LIM (she/her)
The Graduation Officer will be the lead organizers for the annual SJSU Social Work Graduation. They will also oversee the graduation committee which consists of BASW and MSW students.
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Mae-Richelle Verano
(They/them)
Responsible for overseeing and organizing Lobby Day Events and other events related to social justice initiatives that align with the NASW code of ethics. Including representing San Jose State University as the student representative for NASW 23 Strong Council. of BASW and MSW students.
EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR
MARITZA PERALTA (she/her)
Responsible for organizing activities that increase and enhance social work knowledge and skills through workshops, speakers, trainings, and authentic conversations.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR
RUTH ZAVALA (she/her)
Currently serves as the liaison between USWA, SWGSA, and the School of Social Work Faculty. She shall maintain open communication among students, faculty, staff, and administrative personnel, in order to voice student concerns, needs, and perspectives. She will also oversee all student representatives includes Cohort Representatives.
ONLINE/HYBRID STUDENT REP. COMMITTEE CHAIR
AMY YAMAGAMI (she/her)
The Chair will also oversee a sub-committee of First-Year Online/Hybrid Cohort Representatives. Together the committee will work on behalf of the SJSU MSW Online student body by advocating for their needs.
ONLINE/HYBRID STUDENT REP. COMMITTEE CHAIR
FRANCES ROBERTSON (she/her)
The Chair will also oversee a sub-committee of First-Year Online/Hybrid Cohort Representatives. Together the committee will work on behalf of the SJSU MSW Online student body by advocating for their needs.
PODCAST 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. As Podcast Chair, they are one of the primary organizers and host of the podcast.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE POSITIONS (NON-EXECUTIVE)
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.
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