Backbone Team
Edgar Chávez
Executive Director
Edgar Chávez is a proud grandson of farmworkers, an immigrant, and a first-generation college graduate. For nearly fifteen years, Edgar has directed college and career initiatives for first-generation and immigrant students in K-12 and postsecondary institutions across various Bay Area communities, including East Palo Alto and East San José. In 2020, Edgar returned to his childhood neighborhood to lead Hayward Promise Neighborhoods. In addition, Edgar works closely with CSUEB’s College of Education and Allied Studies as a Co-Principal Investigator for a National Science Foundation grant that supports climate change education in HPN schools and steering committee member for the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV region of the Bay Area K16 Collaborative, an initiative dedicated to aligning education and workforce systems in the region. Edgar is also a steering committee member of collective impact efforts including the California Promise Neighborhood Network, the California Cradle to Career Coalition, ALL IN Alameda County, and the Northern California College Promise Coalition. Edgar holds a B.A. in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity from Stanford University and an Ed.M. in Prevention Science and Practice from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Email: edgar.chavez@csueastbay.edu
Dr. Carolyn Nelson
Principal Investigator
Dr. Carolyn Nelson served as Dean of the College of Education & Allied Studies at Cal State University Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV from 2009-2020 following a 19-year tenure at San Jose State University, where she served in a wide variety of academic, administrative, and leadership roles. She is currently Professor & Dean Emeritus at Cal State Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV and has served as Principal Investigator of Hayward Promise Neighborhoods since its inaugural funding in 2011. Since beginning her professional career as a middle school science educator in urban schools in New York, Illinois, and California, Dr. Nelson has been a tireless advocate for bringing relevant, quality education and opportunity to students in under-resourced public schools. A veteran networker, Dr. Nelson has a long history of establishing successful working relationships with educators, school administrators, business & community leaders, and state & national legislators in the quest of this goal. Her area of research is in organizational change and the role leadership plays in this process, particularly as it relates to educational institutions and their ability to adapt to changing societal contexts.
Email: carolyn.nelson@csueastbay.edu
Junia Kim
Cradle-to-Career Director of Programs and Evaluation
Junia Kim was born in CA and raised in some of its best areas (LA K-Town, the Central Coast, and the Bay Area). She has been a public school educator in the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV since 2012 and has had the privilege of teaching varying core subjects in grades 4-8 and 12. Prior to joining HPN, she founded and continues to lead Seen52, a local nonprofit that supports youth impacted by foster care and housing insecurity in Alameda County. In her free time, she enjoys aerial silks, audiobooks, and backpacking and hanging out with her kid. She holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley (Go Bears!), an Ed.M. in Language and Literature from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and an M.Ed in Educational Leadership from High Tech High Graduate School of Education.
Email: junia.kim@csueastbay.edu
Anthony Jackson
Student Success Navigator
I am completing my 9th year as a team member of HPN. Before working for HPN I worked in the classroom and as a paraeducator at a myriad of school sites in Hayward. I attended elementary, middle school, and high school in Hayward CA, and am truly “Made in Hayward”. My experience in this area as a resident, employee, student, and servant equip me to serve this area in a very special way. My wife, son and I all still reside in Hayward.
Brendan Lorenzana
Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator
Brendan grew up in the Bay Area, where he transferred to San Jose State University. He has always had a passion for supporting the community and its members, and he finds HPN a perfect place to do just that. Brendan likes hiking, listening to music, and cooking in his free time. He hopes to make an impactful change in the Hayward community.
Janevette Cole
Community Resident Engagement Specialist
Janevette Isrel Cole is a successful Community Engagement Specialist for Hayward Promise Neighborhood (HPN). A Mills College graduate with a degree in Administrative and Legal Processes, she also earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV. Janevette has been key to HPN's success, leading new programs, engaging the community, and gaining legislative support. She currently facilitates the Community Leaders Initiative (CLI).
Roxana Cruz
Outreach Coordinator
Roxana Cruz graduated from UC Berkeley with a major in Sociology and minor in Education. Post graduation she worked with UC Berkeley's Destination College Advising Corps (DCAC) and Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) as a College Adviser Fellow at Tennyson High School. After her advising fellowship, she began working at HPN coordinating service learning and internship opportunities for students at CSUEB. She is passionate about connecting students and families to college and career resources, and empowering them to believe in their capabilities to succeed in higher education and beyond.
Email: roxana.cruz@csueastbay.edu
Samantha Lopez-Martinez
Cradle-to-Career Outreach Coordinator
Sam is a Hayward native, who knows the unique challenges and opportunities within the area. After attending Hayward High School and Chabot College, she earned her degree from San Diego State University. Now back in her hometown, she's dedicated to bettering Hayward alongside Hayward Promise Neighborhoods. With a passion for community development, Sam supports educational initiatives, fosters community engagement, and advocates for equitable opportunities.
Stephanie Lancet
HPN CCC Outreach Coordinator
Stephanie supports the HPN team with outreach and community events, and the Community Counseling Clinic (CCC) by coordinating its administration and operations and serving as a liaison between CCC Co-Directors, supervisors, trainees, and clients. Stephanie facilitates the implementation of CCC policies and procedures, and leads the clinic's data collection and reporting process. Stephanie is a professional in the K-12 public education field with experience in community engagement and systems change through research, advocacy, and policy. Stephanie received her Master’s in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and her Bachelor’s in Economics and Philosophy from Boston College.
Teri Morales
HPN Budget Analyst
As an alum of CSU Hayward (now Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV), I am thrilled to be back on campus working for such an amazing initiative. I believe that the children are our future and I am happy to work with so many great people and programs to help them not only succeed, but thrive.
Email: teri.morales@csueastbay.edu
Tressa Marques
Community Resident Engagement Specialist
Born and raised in Hayward, California, I've spent my entire academic journey here, from elementary school to college, and I’m grateful to serve the town that shaped me. I am dedicated to education and community, and love engaging with and supporting local initiatives. As a lifelong learner with a passion for travel and the arts, I enjoy exploring destinations both global and local, from across the globe to across the Bay Bridge. I also love spending time outdoors and capturing its beauty with my 35mm film camera. I’m excited to continue growing, learning, and contributing to the community I cherish.