California EPLF

CA EPLF unites K-12 and postsecondary educators, policymakers, and practitioners to advance equitable student success.

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Roy Tongilava (He/Him/His), Policy Analyst at EdTrust-West, working on school funding, accountability, and data systems policy. As the first Tongan Pacific Islander legislative staffer in the CA State Legislature, Roy has long championed underserved communities.

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Hugo Solis Galeana (He/Him), Budget Analyst at the California Department of Finance, working on financial aid policy. A first-gen student who relied on financial aid himself, Hugo now works on the same policies that helped him through college.

Say hi!

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Lorenzo Sianez Jr. (He/Him/Él), Career Management Lead at SDSU and Program Manager with the SDSU Research Foundation. He connects higher ed with regional industry needs and expands access to public service and healthcare careers.

Say hi!

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Deadline extended: applications for the CA Education Policy Leadership Fellows Program are now due Sunday, August 9, at 11:59 PM. Don't miss your chance to join this statewide network of education and policy leaders.

Apply here: https://t.co/MVsdSjaF2d

#CAEPLF #EducationPolicy

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Sorrel Stielstra, director of research and evaluation at Growing Inland Achievement. She partners with schools, colleges, and nonprofits across California's Inland Empire to advance equitable educational outcomes.

Say hi and connect below.
#EducationPolicy

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Sumeet Singh, mathematics coordinator at Kern County Superintendent of Schools. He supports TK through 12 educators as an instructional coach, with work informed by his own experience as an English Learner student.

Say hi and connect below.
#K12Education

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Dr. Tangela Blakely Reavis, associate professor of educational leadership at Saint Mary's College of California. Her scholarship examines race, policy, and equity in students' pathways through postsecondary education.

Say hi and connect below.
#MeetTheFellows

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows:

DaniMae Santiago, government relations and policy analyst at Calbright College. She brings a decade of policy advocacy experience, including roles with Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and Governor Brown's administration.

Say hi and connect below.
#PolicyLeaders

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Jeanny Marroquín

Jeanny Marroquín is a Los Angeles native of Guatemalan heritage, dedicated to advancing equity for youth and families.

Learn more about the 2025-26 Fellows: https://t.co/4uCmOVvDkR

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

2026-27 CA Education Leadership Policy Fellows applications are open for the inaugural cohort!

See who should apply here: https://t.co/MVsdSjbcRL

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Leticia Martinez!

As Project Director for the Bay Area K���16 Collaborative at CSU East Bay, Leticia helps strengthen pathways to bachelor's degree completion while connecting students to career opportunities and professional networks.

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Anna “AJ” Johnson

AJ Johnson is Policy Director at California Competes, leading statewide efforts on student parent success, college affordability, and equity-driven systems change.

Learn more about the fellows: https://t.co/4uCmOVvDkR

#MeetTheFellows

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Dorcas Kong

Dorcas Kong is Senior Manager of Data Leadership & Innovation at CCEE, where she leads statewide efforts to strengthen data use for continuous improvement and equitable student outcomes.

https://t.co/4uCmOVvDkR

#MeetTheFellows

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Adam Gottlieb

As Director of Postsecondary Strategy & Policy at UNITE-LA, Adam leads the Los Angeles Region K-16 Collaborative and advances policies that strengthen pathways from education to careers.

#MeetTheFellows

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Dadao Hou

As Director of Policy and Planning at UC Santa Cruz, Dadao advances equity through climate data, policy, and systems change. His leadership helps shape more inclusive campus environments.

Connect with Dadao.
#EducationPolicy

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Maria Gadsden, Ph.D.

Maria is a 2nd grade SANKOFA teacher in the San Bernardino City USD and a faculty member at CSU San Bernardino. She is passionate about advancing equity, literacy, and culturally responsive education from the classroom to the policy arena.

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Neftali Galarza-Toledo

Neftali serves as director of community engagement and partnerships at the Riverside County Office of Education, leading outreach, partnerships, and student engagement efforts across the county.

Say hello and connect.

#MeetTheFellows

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

From April 30 to May 2, CA EPFP welcomed fellows to Sacramento for a convening grounded in learning, leadership, and connection.

Fellows engaged in conversations on equity, advocacy, and systems level change while building community across education sectors.

#EducationPolicy

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Eric Flores

Eric serves as deputy director of legislative affairs for the CA Cradle-to-Career Data System, leading policy initiatives that provide actionable and secure data to policymakers, researchers, and students across California.

Say hello and connect!

[California EPLF @CA_EPLF]

Meet the Fellows: Charo Darwin

With 20+ years in K to 12 leadership, Charo brings deep experience in systems change, school safety, and instructional leadership. She is also a doctoral researcher focused on how leaders navigate complexity.

Say hello and connect!