Inspiring Women of 海角社区Honorees
Annual Inspiring Women of 海角社区Recognition

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Hands of diverse group of people. Illustration of teamwork, support, cooperation, unity, girl power, social community. stock illustration.

Let us celebrate the herculean contributions made by the empowering women of our 海角社区community! In honor of Women鈥檚 History Month and the National Women鈥檚 History Alliance, three recipients will be selected to be recognized later this month.  

Please nominate a student, staff, faculty, or administrator that self-identifies as a woman at 海角社区 who you believe should be recognized as part of our 2023 celebration. This year鈥檚 theme is 鈥淐elebrating Women Who Tell Their Stories 鈥 Elevating the Women of LBCC鈥.


 


Inspiring Women of 海角社区Honorees

March 2024

This year鈥檚 awardees are Cindy Enrigue, Karla Lopezy and Liliana Moreno


  • Cindy Enrigue, Assistant Professor Mathematics & Engineering .
    鈥淐indy鈥檚 focus on diversity is evident in her development of programs that celebrate mathematical contributions from a variety of cultures, directly challenging the traditional narratives in STEM fields.鈥 ~ Jane Tamayo, Staff
  • Karla Lopezy Stonnington, Student
    鈥淪he has helped take down barriers in Automotive and show that females are an equitable part in this industry.鈥 ~ Andrew Stonnington and RosaElia Contreras, Students
  • Liliana Moreno, Student 
    鈥淗er impressive academic record, maintained while balancing the demands of motherhood and caregiving, serves as a beacon of motivation for others.鈥 ~ Cristian Mijangos, Student 

Cindy headshot

Cindy Enrigue

Professor of Mathematics

鈥淧referible morir de pie que vivir de rodillas.鈥 -Emiliano Zapata

Cindy Enrigue has been cultivating an equity-driven andragogy within the Math and Engineering department at 海角社区since 2015.  Professor Enrigue is passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (D.E.I.A.) in higher education across all disciplines, with a special interest in STEM related courses. She played a pivotal role in the creation of the Hispanic mathematics poster that celebrates and highlights each Hispanic professor within the department. Currently she is a co-lead for the ME 1st (Math and English in the 1stYear) learning community that aims to increase student success.

 

Karla Lopezy headshot

Karla Lopezy Stonnington

Student

鈥淚n the depth of struggle lies the birthplace of resilience, where adversity transforms intro triumph and challenges become catalysts for greatness.鈥 ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Karla Lopezy Contreras Stonnington is a resilient DACA recipient who has defied odds and stereotypes to achieve academic excellence. Despite facing adversity and being told she wouldn鈥檛 even go to college; she earned her AAT in Psychology from 海角社区before transferring to UCLA. There, she graduated with honors (cum laude) with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Biomedical Research. Her passion for serving underserved communities led her to pursue pre-medical requirements via a DIY Post-Baccalaureate at LBCC, where she is finishing this Fall and has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA. All the while, she has held the position of head chair/head researcher for UCLA MEDPEP: Medical Journal Scholar and CEO of Execute Higher.

As the head research/head chair, she opens doors for students who haven鈥檛 had research opportunities and works closely with UCLA Medical School. She is also the CEO and Founder of Execute Higher, a non-profit which empowers continuation high school students, teaching them about their cultural wealth, impostor syndrome, breaking barriers, and fostering inclusivity. She thanks God for all her blessings and opportunities. Karla鈥檚 dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion exemplifies the spirit of Women鈥檚 History Month.

 

Liliana Moreno headshot

Liliana Moreno

Student

鈥淣othing is impossible. The word itself says I鈥檓 possible!鈥 鈥揂udrey Hepburn

Liliana Moreno is a veteran born in Torrance, California, and raised in Mexico. She is currently pursuing a social work major with her ultimate goal to be a Mental Health Therapist, assisting others in readjusting and coping with life. She enjoys helping and supporting others. She is part of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for her outstanding GPA and has worked as a Medical Technician in the U.S Air Force. Liliana appreciates and celebrates the beauty of diversity and inclusion of all people across race, religion, gender, and age. She loves traveling and truly values friendship.

March 2023

This year鈥檚 awardees are Angela Fowlkes, Martha Pamintuan, and Lupe Pasillas. 

  • Angela Fowlkes, Financial Aid Specialist
    鈥淏y sharing her story, she has been able to connect with and uplift the women around her, inspiring them to overcome their own obstacles and reach their full potential. - James Martinez
  • Martha Pamintuan, Assistant Professor, Performing Arts
    鈥淪he believes in her team, the students we support, and creating change for the better. She uses her experiences to elevate others, and I have felt it first-hand with her belief in me. - Jan茅t Hund
  • Lupe Pasillas, Director, High School Outreach & Educational Partnerships
    鈥淪he believes in her team, the students we support, and creating change for the better. She uses her experiences to elevate others, and I have felt it first-hand with her belief in me.鈥 鈥 Laura Zhang

Angela Fowlkes' Headshot

Angela Fowlkes

Financial Aid Specialist

鈥淔rom everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.鈥 -  Bible Verse Luke 12:28

My name is Angela Fowlkes and I have been employed at 海角社区since 2000. I was given the name Nana Yaa Asantewaa while visiting Ghana, Africa. I am the single mother of five African American, Extraordinary Daughters and one granddaughter (Akua), who have been the source of my inspiration.

I am the youngest daughter of Willie & Mariah Fowlkes who migrated from Selma, Alabama in 1956, and provided me with a foundation in God, which has been the catalyst of my strength and perseverance.

I love decorating my home and gardening which are my sources of refuge.

Martha Pamuntuan's Headshot

Martha L. Z. Pamintuan

Assistant Professor, Performing Arts

鈥淲hy are you stingy with yourselves? What are you holding back? What are you saving for 鈥 for another time? There are no other times. There is only right now.鈥 - George Balanchine

MARTHA L. Z. PAMINTUAN is an Associate Professor of Dance at 海角社区 and San Francisco Bay Area Native. She earned her MFA in Dance on a full scholarship from the University of California, Irvine and her BA in Dance and a Minor in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University.

Pamintuan is Co-Founder, Co-Artistic Director, and Co-Choreographer of LV Dance Collective based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. She founded the East Oakland Sports Center Introductory School of Dance in Oakland, California serving as the Cultural Arts Program Director/Choreographer.

Her work has been awarded and recognized nationally and she has toured internationally throughout the South of Chile, Vietnam, Spain and Ghana. Martha is also a professional athlete, a runner and swimmer; a fitness professional; a licensed Zumba instructor, ballet barre instructor, water aerobics instructor, swim instructor; an actor; and most importantly a mother and wife.  

Lupe Pasillas' Headshot

Lupe Pasillas

Director, High School Outreach & Educational Partnerships

鈥淵ou may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.鈥 - Maya Angelou 

Lupe Pasillas is the Director of High School Outreach & Educational Partnerships at 海角社区. In this role, she leads efforts to increase college access and success for dual enrollment and first-time college students.

She is the daughter of immigrant parents and a first-generation graduate who earned an Associate鈥檚 from Rio Hondo, a Bachelor鈥檚 in Political Science from UCLA, and a Master鈥檚 in Counseling from CSULB. Ms. Pasillas is a passionate higher education advocate who strives to create transformational opportunities for disproportionately impacted students.

- Lupe Pasillas
 Director, High School Outreach & Educational Partnerships

March 2022

1st Annual Inspiring Women of 海角社区Recognition in 2022

海角社区celebrated Women鈥檚 History Month with the 1st Annual Inspiring Women Recognition in 2022. The recognition honors 海角社区women who inspire and motivate others in the campus community. Read more about each honoree.

This year鈥檚 awardees are Sofia Beas, Thania Bogarin, and Heather Dy. 

  • Sofia Beas, Professor/Academic Counselor, Counseling Department 
    鈥淪ofia embodies a strong woman; I stand on the shoulders of her strength.鈥 ~ Jan茅t Hund (Faculty)
     
  • Heather Dy, Dept. Head & Associate Professor, Life Sciences 
    鈥淧rofessor Dy treats each of us with dignity and respect, but still holds us to the highest standards.鈥 ~Emily Morales (Student) 
     
  • Thania Bogarin, Adjunct Professor, Life Sciences 
    鈥淧rofessor Bogarin is the perfect example of commitment, positivity, and resilience.鈥 ~ Maria Nunez (Student)
     

海角社区Professor Sofia Bea's Headshot

Sofia Beas

Professor/Academic Counselor, Counseling Department 

鈥淎s a woman, an education is the one thing that no one can take away from you.鈥 鈥 M铆 Am谩, Esther Beas 

Growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American in Northeast Los Angeles, I was taught at an early age the importance of getting an education from my mother鈥檚 words.

As an educator, I have always advocated for students of color and, especially, those at the PCC campus. Aside from counseling thousands of students, I am proud of the things that I have accomplished at LBCC: President of LBCC鈥檚 first chapter of the Latina Leadership Network; the first Latina LBCCFA Chief Negotiator; establishing the Puente Program in 1994; and directing a $5 million-dollar Title V HSI grant. And, throughout my 31 years, I have been a proud Union advocate and have always defended my Counseling discipline while meeting student needs.

Most importantly, my education has afforded me the ability to do what I love, to travel and spend time with my husband, familia, and friends. 

Gracias for this acknowledgment! 

 

海角社区Professor Heather Dy's Headshot

Heather Dy

Dept. Head & Associate Professor, Life Sciences 

鈥淜ind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.鈥 鈥 Mother Teresa

My name is Heather Dy, and I鈥檝e been a member of the 海角社区community since 2014, serving as a full-time faculty member in the Life Sciences department. I鈥檓 the current Department Head, a role I鈥檝e been honored to have since 2017. During my tenure at the college, I鈥檝e taught ANAT41, a Human Anatomy and Physiology course. Of all the experiences I鈥檝e had over the past 14 years, my most rewarding interactions have been with my students and colleagues.

 

海角社区Professor Thania Bogarin and her son

Thania Bogarin

Adjunct Professor, Life Sciences

鈥淭o me, teaching is not only about showing or explaining science to a student, but it is also an opportunity to demonstrate flexibility, understanding and kindness.鈥 鈥 Thania Bogarin

Thania Bogarin is a cellular and molecular biologist with a background in basic and clinical science research. Thania teaches as a part-time adjunct in the Life Sciences Department at 海角社区and works full-time as a biologics manufacturing associate at the Center of Biomedicine and Genetics producing biologics used to treat cancer patients at the City of Hope. Thania鈥檚 goals and aspirations are to become a life science full-time professor at 海角社区and be able to dedicate more of her time to students, while contributing to the strength and growing efforts of the Life Science Department and 海角社区as a whole.