
Staff

María Venegas Escobedo, M.A.
Interim Director
mescobedo@csusm.edu
Maria Venegas Escobedo has been a dedicated member of the California State University
San Marcos staff since 2013. Over the years, her role has evolved, encompassing a
range of responsibilities in student support services and higher-level administration.
Maria began her role as Interim Latinx Center Director in Spring 2023. Concurrently,
since 2020, Maria has assumed the position of Director of the College Assistance Migrant
Program (CAMP). In this capacity, her primary focus is on facilitating access and
retention for a historically underrepresented student population: incoming first-year
freshmen with agricultural or farm working backgrounds. Maria's prior experience includes
working in public health research, where she served as the Outreach and Retention
Coordinator for the southwest region of the national Hispanic Community Health Study/Study
of Latinos, operating under the San Diego State University Research Foundation.
Maria is a proud first-generation alumna of CSUSM, earning her bachelor’s degree in
Human Development, emphasis in Counseling, and completing a master’s degree in Postsecondary
Educational Leadership with a specialization in Student Affairs from San Diego State
University. Maria’s passion for student support services is rooted in her unique experiences
as a Latina, first-generation student, and her commitment to leaving a legacy where
students graduate CSUSM feeling visible, empowered, and dedicated to their ongoing
personal growth.

Mikel Luque Jimenez
Centro Programs Advisor - Graduate Assistant
mluquejimene@csusm.edu
Mikel Luque Jimenez is a proud first generation Latino who was born and raised in San Diego CA. Mikel has recently earned his bachelor's degree in Criminolgy and Justice studies with a minor in Sociology at CSUSM. Mikel will be entering his graduate program, M.A Sociological Practice in fall of 2023 at the California State University San Marcos. Mikel follows the framework of uplifitng, encouraging, standing with our communtities to be a voice for change for the betterment of our world. We're rich in culture and it must be acknowledged and embraced Mikel indicates. His life experiences have provided him with the tools to be an advocate through social and racial justice efforts. Mikel is very family oriented, and if he's not spending time with family you will find him in the gym, trying new foods or at a sports event since he's a big sports fanatic.

Samantha Bautista
Lead Program Specialist
sbautista@csusm.edu
Samantha Bautista is a first generation latina college student. She calls Santa Ana CA, her home along with California State University San Marcos being her "home away from home". Samantha is completing her bachelors degree in Human Development emphasis in Counseling with a minor in Sociology and Women Studies. Samantha has been heavily involved on campus and strives to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and advocacy. Samantha loves to spend time with her three younger brothers, going to Disneyland, a passionate Dodgers fan, and enjoys trying new coffee shops!
2023-2024 Cultura Educators
Camila Delgado Blanco
She/Her/Ella
Programming Specialist
Anette Parrilla
She/Her
Programming Specialist
Aly Delgado
She/Her
Marketing Specialist
Eulices Banuelos
He/Him
Administrative/Data Assistant
Leyla Medina
She/Her
Unidos Leadership Ambassador

Lysandra Lyman
She/Her
Generalist