SMASH: Stanford Residential Staff

James Sarria

2012 SMASH: Stanford Site Director

My name is James and I was born in Rochester, New York.  I am a 1st Generation college student and I identify as a Peruvian/American.  I attended Friends World an international alternative education program of Long Island University right after HS, and I studied Community Organizing and Development where I living in Latin America and East Africa for 5 years.  I moved to California 9 years ago, and since then I have worked as a bilingual counselor at Seneca Center, researched forest fire ecology, immersed myself in Peruvian ethno-medical botany and pract

Katiana Carey-Simms

2012 SMASH: Stanford Residential Director

I have been working with youth in different capacities for many years now and the most inspiring aspect of this work has been being a witness to growth and transformation. Much of my experience in the world is enriched by folks that have had an impact on me, whether a teacher, mentor, friend or foe, each interaction has expanded my views and being.

Ramon Chairez

Head Residential Assistant

I am passionate about working with diverse communities, especially in the area of education and personal development. I believe that youth in our communities are better served when we, as educators, positively promote and intertwine both components. Education is very much a community affair, and I focus on providing spaces where students can develop supportive bonds and connections with one another to enrich their educational journey. Furthering my knowledge in this area is why I enrolled in a M.A. in Education, with an emphasis in Multicultural Counseling.

Walter Piche

Residential Assistant

In this photo is the MC (me) for CAU’s (Centro Americanos Unidos) Noche de Cultura ‘10.  In a few weeks I will earn my first degree from UC Santa Cruz in Theater Arts with a minor in Anthropology. At UCSC, I’ve accumulated 5 years of students organizing with groups consistent with issues of underrepresented peoples and identity. I’ve also done work with UC Santa Cruz’ Educational Partnership Center (UCSC/EPC) as an Academic Advisor/Counselor at a High School setting in Watsonville’s low-income community. As an Academic Advisor/Counselor I worked in a Team.

Miguel Valencia

Residential Assistant

My desire to work with our youth, particularly youth of color, has led me to fill this role in a number of different ways, and I believe that those experiences have prepared me well to serve as a returning SMASH RA this summer at Stanford University. This past year and a half I had the opportunity to work as a student assistant at UC Berkeley’s Haste Street Child Development Center. I feel that the lessons I learned there about classroom management will help me make more efficient and productive use of the time I spend with the scholars.

Mary Griffin

Residential Assistant

As an undergrad at UC Berkeley, I was involved with a student organization called the Black Recruitment and Retention Center (BRRC).  As the Outreach Coordinator for BRRC, I did a lot of high school presentations, to provide under-represented students with additional resources and information that was necessary for them to apply and succeed in higher education. BRRC fell under the umbrella organization of Bridges. Bridges is at multi-cultural coalition at UC Berkeley which includes many different Retention and Recruitment Centers.

Farzana Talukdar

Residential Assistant

 My interest to work with SMASH Academy directly stemmed from my own experience as a second generation immigrant to this country. My parents have always instilled in me the importance of education but it was not until I began working at Thurgood Marshall Academy in Southeast D.C. that I truly realized what this meant. These students faced adversities including living in an extremely dangerous environment, family turmoil, and pressure to support their families or discontinue education.

Daisy Rodriguez

Residential Assistant

As a SMASH alum myself, I am extremely excited to return as a RA for SMASH at Stanford University. As a Latina born and raised in East Palo Alto by immigrants to this country, I understand many of the challenges students from underrepresented communities face in trying to attain success through education. I am really inspired by the continuous growth of the program and by the amazing contributions SMASH scholars will continue to share with the rest of their communities.

Terron J. Cook

Awake Overnight Residential Assistant

Thursday, March 31, 2011, I hosted my second, official Book-Signing Event.  I never imagined I would embark upon a career as a writer.  It has allowed me to alleviate the extremely tumultuous past I have been fortunate enough to transcend.  Manifestation is such a true and powerful thing in this Life and being granted the opportunity to work with the SMASH Academy this summer at Stanford is extremely empowering.  This opportunity will afford me the chance to pay forward the skills, knowledge and passion that I have acquired through the years, onto these wonderful scholar

Michelle Moore

Awake Overnight Residential Assistant

I am 24 and was born and raised in San Jose, CA. I went to college at the University of California San Diego and received my B.A. in Political Science. I recently moved back to work for City Year where I engage underprivileged students in mentoring, tutoring, and after school activities. I have found my passion in helping my students succeed and hope to bring the same passion to SMASH.

  • I was in a Vietnamese ESL class from first to fifth grade for no apparent reason
  • Sloths freak me out
  • I love animals and am a part-time vegan
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