SMASH: Berkeley Residential Staff

Rafael Velazquez Cardenas

Residential Director

I was born in Ciudad Guzman, Mexico and have lived in the US for over 20 years. I completed my undergraduate at UC San Diego, earning a BA degree in Spanish and English Dual-Composite Literature in 2008. I have also recently graduated with a MA degree in Education from UC Berkeley, and currently teach 7th and 8th grade Language Arts in my hometown, Hayward, CA.

Quincy Jones

Head Residential Assistant

I’m originally from Houston, TX but have been in the Bay Area, Richmond to be exact, for about 13 years now. I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2010 with a B.A. in American Studies and a minor in African American Studies. I was a math junkie all through high school as well so I have a math background. I am currently working as a college advisor at Will C. Wood High School in Vacaville, CA.

● I am an aspiring author
● I have memorized almost the entire R. Kelly Trapped in the Closet saga
● Naps are my personal gift from God

Crystal Alvarado

Head Residential Assistant

I am thrilled to be part of SMASH for another summer. I first began with SMASH two years ago as a Residential Assistant. This year I will be coming back as Head RA for the Berkeley program.

I am originally from Calexico, CA, a small border town about 100 miles east of San Diego. I received my Bachelor’s in Sociology and minor in Education at the University of California, Irvine. I moved to San Francisco about 3 years ago to pursue my teaching credential at SFSU; which is also where I am presently working on my master’s in bilingual education.

Simonique “Simi” Mitchell

Residential Assistant

Greetings Everyone! I’m thrilled to serve as a Residential Assistant for SMASH: Berkeley for the third consecutive year! I was born and raised in Denver, CO, and recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of San Francisco. In addition to working with LPFI and serving underrepresented students, I also have similar experiences while working with the Boys' & Girls' Club, College Track San Francisco, and the San Francisco Department of Public Health. I am very excited to be working with such a brilliant cohort this summer!

Sally Elliott

Residential Assistant

I am from Dighton, a small town in southern Massachusetts. I graduated from Dartmouth College with my B.A. in Environmental Studies in 2008. While at Dartmouth, I did micrometeorite research and was a research assistant for a professor in the Latin America and Caribbean Studies Department.  After graduating, I spent the year in Nicaragua as a Reynolds Scholar and worked with a nutrition program on the island of Ometepe. I am planning on going to medical school, and recently completed the pre-health post-baccalaureate program at UC Berkeley Extensions.

Meng So

Residential Assistant

Hello everyone! I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to work with such bright and promising students!  To briefly introduce myself, I was born in a refugee camp along the border Cambodia and was raised in Hayward, Ca. Upon graduating high school, I attended the University of California Berkeley where I received my degree in American Studies. I later went on to receive a master’s degree in Education and Organizational Change from the University of California Los Angeles.

Margo Batie

Residential Assistant

Hi ! My name is Margo, and I am excited and honored that I was chosen to be a member of the SMASH staff.

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where I graduated from Crenshaw High School.  I am a rising sophomore at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where I intend on double majoring in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering.

Enrique Unzueta

Residential Assistant

As the old witch stepped up to the stake to end her life, she looked up to Uther and said: “There will come a time when this fire shall not touch innocent souls. Many years from now, a generation of powerful individuals will mark the end of an era and the beginning of a fair world. ‘Different’ shall no longer be damned, but instead appreciated”. The witch died and her soul shattered into pieces. Twenty five years ago, in Tijuana, Mexico, part of that soul was reborn in the body of a boy. It was revealed to this particular individual that there were many more like him.

Ashley Davis

Residential Assistant

Hello all! My name is Ashley Davis and I grew up all over California. I lived throughout different parts of the bay area as well as throughout Southern California. I graduated high school at Saint Mary’s College High School in Berkeley, CA and now attend college at Fordham University in the Bronx, New York.  I am studying psychology (I was a research assistant for Spring 2011 semester and am preparing for an independent research project in the field), and I am a part of the social work program at my University.

Steven Pine

Awake Overnight Residential Assistant

Hey everyone, this photo was taken at a good friend’s wedding in Chicago. I’m the one on the left with the red hat and Hawaiian shirt. My name is Steven Pine and I will be an Overnight RA for SMASH Berkeley 2011! I graduated from St. Johns College (Santa Fe) in 2007, earning a BA in the Liberal Arts.

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