Keting Chen, PhD  

Dr. Keting Chen is an Assistant Professor at CSUSB for the Child Development program. She has a Doctorate in Human Sciences, specializing in Early Childhood Education/Child Development from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a master’s in education in Early Childhood Education from East China Normal University and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education/applied psychology from East China Normal University. Dr. Chen has numerous publications in Early Childhood Education on supporting STEM. 

Karen Good  

Karen Good brings over 34 years of experience in education, spanning roles from Head Start to middle school. She served as a site administrator for 14 years and a district administrator for 4 years before joining the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools in Early Education and Development.  Karen is deeply passionate about family and community engagement and is committed to growing the early education workforce through mentorship, professional development, and collaborative partnerships. Her work focuses on building strong connections between schools, families and communities to create inclusive, equitable, and inspiring learning environments for all children.

Deydalia Fraydealfaro 

Mrs. Deydalia (Dalia) currently serves as a Child Site Coordinator at Victor Valley College Child Development Lab. She has 23 years of experience with various age groups and program types. She holds an M.A. in Early Childhood Education. 

Rebecca Carreon-Bailey  

Rebecca is an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant with the California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Network. She provides infant and early childhood mental health consultation to child care and early learning center-based programs, family child care providers and family, friend and neighbor caregivers across California. Consultation is an indirect promotion and prevention mental health service that focuses on building caregivers’ capacity to create environments and foster interactions in which children and adults’ social, emotional and relational health and development can thrive 

Debbie Reno-Smith 

Debbie Reno-Smith is an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist with the California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Network. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Endorsed Infant-Family Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist/Reflective Practice Mentor. Debbie serves as faculty for California’s IECMH Consultant Training Program (CTP) and provides reflective practice to students and Network IECMH Consultants. She has specialty training as an Irving Harris Fellow in Infant Mental Health and is Expert Faculty for the National Center for Zero to Three DC: 0-5 training.  

Maile Juarez 

Maile Josiah-Juarez brings over 25 years of dedicated experience in the child development field to her work as a director at a private preschool. Throughout her career, she has worked with children of all ages—from infants through teenagers—serving as a teacher, behavioral therapist, and educational leader. For the past five years, she has embraced her role as a preschool director, where one of her greatest joys is engaging children in sensory play, particularly her favorite activity: playing in the mud. As a passionate advocate for early childhood education, Maile has shared her expertise through training sessions and workshops both locally and nationwide. She is committed to mentoring fellow educators and supporting professional growth within the field. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Maile treasures her roles as daughter, mother, grandmother, and wife. She enjoys traveling, crafting, spending time with family and friends, visiting Disneyland, and attending movies and theater performances. True to her belief that learning never stops, Maile continues to expand her knowledge by attending workshops and training sessions, always seeking new ways to better serve the children and families in her care.  

Karina Bravo, PhD 

Dr. Bravo is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist who earned her doctorate degree from Loma Linda University in 2005. Her career has been focused on helping at-risk children and their families. Her extensive training and experience make her well-rounded in her understanding of children and their needs. She is currently a full time faculty member for the University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University) and teaches at the graduate level to help future professionals hone their expertise in early childhood mental health.  

Tamara Wagner  

Tamara Wagner brings over 20 years of hands-on experience to the field of early childhood education. Her career has spanned roles as a Teacher, Site Supervisor, Program Coordinator, and Director, adjunct professors and assistant professor giving her a deep understanding of both private and state-funded preschool programs. In addition to her leadership roles.As co-host of the podcast Talk Early to Me, she engages parents and educators in meaningful conversations about early childhood development. A sought-after speaker, she has presented at numerous conferences on a wide range of early education topics. Ms. Wagner holds a Bachelor’s degree in English, a Master’s in Human Development, and a second Master’s in Infant and Childhood Development with a focus on Infant Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. She is currently ABD in her Ph.D. program, continuing her commitment to advancing knowledge in the field. 

Danya Sanders-Hester 

Danya Sanders Hester has worked in the Early Education field for more than 30 years. She is a teacher, mentor, professional growth advisor, adjunct professor and director of an early education department for a local school district. Danya’s expertise in developmentally appropriate practices and equitable learning environments as well as curricula development and assessment pacing, have earned accolades in her district and the department. Danya has a Bachelors’ Degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis on Humanities, A Masters’ Degree in Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood Learning, an Education Specialist Doctorate in Educational Administration, and is ABD with her Ph.D in Leadership in Educational Administration.  

Alycia Granado Morris 

Alycia Granado Morris, MA. Mrs. Granado Morris is currently adjunct faculty at Crafton Hills Community College, as well as adjunct lecturer at CSUSB. She has been teaching child/human development, early childhood education, and psychology courses since 2014. She previously worked as a parent educator and curriculum developer for The Parenting Center at The Institute for Child Development & Family Relations at CSUSB. She has coordinated various classes, presentations and workshops and presented at various local conferences, including the Children’s Network Conference. She is also a certified yoga instructor, previously using yoga in her preschool classrooms as a tool to enhance development & learning in all domains.  

Melissa Campos 

My Bui-Lewis  

Randi Kinkade 

KMARs Whealthness LLC 

We are a multicultural, women-owned small business of education professionals and mindfulness practitioners committed to enhancing learning, presence, and overall well-being for youth and adults. Our team—an Intervention Counselor, Secondary Mathematics Teacher, Occupational Therapist (OT), and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)—offers a trauma-informed, holistic approach to education. Certified in yoga, sound bath meditation, and breathwork, we integrate evidence-based mindfulness practices that improve academics, behavior, social emotional learning, and mental wellness. Through professional development, student programs, and family engagement, we provide practical tools to manage stress, strengthen self-regulation, and cultivate calm and focus from early childhood through higher education.  

Tatiana Pumaccahua 

Tatiana Pumaccahua, PhD, LP, NCSP Dr. Tatiana Pumaccahua is a proud first-generation Indigenous Latina and a product of the California State University system. She was born and raised in Lima, Peru before immigrating to the US at the age of 12. She obtained her B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Child Development from California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). She attributes the mentorship, supportive environment, and academic enrichment programs at CSUSB (e.g., Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, Educational Opportunity Program, Student Assistance in Learning, and the Minority Access to Research Careers) as being key to influencing her decision to pursue a doctorate degree and a career in academia. She received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Rhode Island in 2018 and completed a 2-year APA-Accredited Child Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles from 2018-2020. In 2023 she also became a licensed psychologist in the state of California. Her various personal, academic, and clinical experiences have shaped both her clinical and research interests. She is passionate about providing and increasing access to quality mental health for children and families from underserved backgrounds, as well as increasing access to higher education, especially for underrepresented students. In terms of research, she is interested in socioemotional learning prevention and intervention programs, school-based mental health, parent education, and the cultural adaptation of evidence-based practices by utilizing creative methods (e.g., through games, pedagogic strategies).

Hajara Fofana 

Research Assistant (She/her/hers) Hajara Fofana is a second-year African American Muslim student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She is pursuing her goal of becoming a licensed school psychologist and is deeply committed to creating safe spaces for Black and Muslim youth. Hajara has experience as a teacher’s aide for TK-Kindergarten students at the Institute of Knowledge and currently works as a research lab assistant in Cal Poly Pomona’s Socioemotional Lab. Through this role, she also serves as a mentor for students in the Pomona Unified School District as part of her internship. In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, Hajara has volunteered her time to support families in need by participating in programs that provide meals to families and children. Passionate about working with children and adolescents, she strives to foster environments where young people can learn, grow, and thrive. In her free time, Hajara enjoys reading and writing stories, gaming, and spending time with her friends.   

Cindy Ledesma Ramirez 

Research assistant (She/Her/Hers) Cindy Ledesma Ramirez is a first-generation student currently studying at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She is a psychology major in her fourth year and will be graduating in Spring of 2025. She is planning to continue her education and get a masters in I/O or school psychology. In her future career, Cindy desires to work with groups of people whether it be in a school or workplace setting. Her goal is to inspire and mentor others so they have tools that can set them up for success. She also desires to continue to bring awareness to current mental health stigmas. Cindy has volunteered in the past as a peer mentor at the high school she graduated from. There she communicated with incoming freshmen by giving them advice and answering any questions that might help prepare them for the upcoming semester. She has recently joined the Socioemotional Learning lab led by Dr. Tatiana Pumaccahua. Cindy is currently a research assistant who is happy to collaborate with the team, be involved in a lab she is passionate about, and gain more lab research  

Jocelyn Gomez 

Research Assistant (She/Her/Hers) Jocelyn Gomez is a first-generation Mexican-American student currently enrolled at Cal Poly Pomona University. She is a third-year student that is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Social Work. She plans on attending graduate school after completing her education in the year 2026, with the goal of earning a Masters Degree to become a therapist. Choosing to hone in on this area to support those in her community who face disadvantages and struggles of mental health. Having the motivation to pursue this path after seeing a lack of help or resources available to those in her life and neighborhood. She wishes to bring more attention to the needed aid and importance of seeking care regardless of an individual’s race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Working to progress and gain a greater relationship with fellow peers who have similar interest in the world surrounding the study of the mind. Enjoying the community as it introduces many professors who speak about their own journey and experience with their education and learnings about psychology. In her life outside of school she works at a small mom and pop restaurant as a server and enjoys the conversation with regulars that enter the establishment. When she does get the opportunity she takes pleasure in crocheting, cooking or making baked goods, and participating in outside activities with her friends.  
 
 

Natalie Blanca Reyes  

Research Assistant (She/Her/Hers) Natalie Reyes is a second-generation Mexican-Salvadoran alumni from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Throughout her time at Cal Poly Pomona, she has been a TA for multiple professors with different focuses in the psychology field from Clinical to Organizational psychology. Currently, she is a research assistant and mentee of Dr. Pumaccahua for Cal Poly Pomona’s Socioemotional Research Lab. Moreover, she is an instructional paraeducator for students under the BUSD district. Alongside the lab, she worked with children and adolescents in the PUSD district to support students in developing social and emotional skills to foster well-being and promote healthy ways of living. In doing so, she hopes to continue to gain experience in the psychology field to grow her understanding of the world around her alongside her career in clinical work. Since obtaining her bachelor’s degree from CPP, she hopes to attend graduate school to eventually obtain a PhD in School Psychology and work in practice as a licensed therapist and possibly become a professor. She holds aspirations of supporting individuals on their journeys through life by becoming a significant part of it and being someone others can turn to in times of need. Born and raised in California, she enjoys traveling across the state but also the globe. She enjoys the journey of traveling with loved ones and values making memories with the people who care and support her. In her free time, she may be playing a video game she enjoys, working on a craft, going for a walk, listening to her favorite music, or shopping for a new piece to add to her collection to name a few!  
  

Courtney Yu 

Research Assistant (She/Her/They/Them) Courtney Yu is a fourth year student studying psychology at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She identifies as a second-generation student who finds her roots in West Covina and the 626 San Gabriel area. As a student, her interests mainly lie in counseling psychology with an emphasis on social and emotional learning as well as multicultural competencies. She aims to pursue a doctorate in counseling psychology with the hopes of working with children, adolescents, and young adults from underrepresented backgrounds in mental health. Courtney is a member of associations such as CPP’s Psi Chi chapter, Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), and Dr. Pumaccahua’s Socioemotional Lab. Reflecting her academic interests, her passions include providing quality mental health care for students and young people in need, especially those who identify with commonly underrepresented and marginalized communities. She also strives to encourage empathy and learning about emotional regulation in her occupational and academic environments. Courtney’s prior experience includes being a peer mentor at Cal Poly Pomona, having past work experience as a high school AVID tutor, being a current Teaching Assistant for a class exploring Basic Counseling Skills, and involvement in student programs such as cultural leadership positions in VSA or volunteer organizations. This experience has led her to value traits such as curiosity, motivation, empathy, and collaboration.