Yolanda Cataño

Inaugural Executive Director of AHSIE

I am a first-generation, queer Latina scholar and practitioner. My interests are heavily influenced by my traditional Mexican upbringing. I strongly believe in the value of family and I carry that everywhere I go. I have a very bubbly and energetic personality. I love dancing salsa and bachata (pre-COVID 19), and enjoy traveling.

I have worked in many capacities over the years working for HSI’s. I started my journey at San Diego Mesa College as an Administrative Technician for their Title III, STEM Conexiones Grant. Immediately after that, I was contacted by the Title V Pathways Academy Director to serve as an HSI Consultant to train their Peer Ambassadors for their first-year experience program at Cuyamaca College. After a year’s worth working at Cuyamaca, I landed a part-time role working as an HSI Educational Researcher for their Title III STEM Grant. Most recently, I served as the Interim Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Equity, and Student Success at Imperial Valley College where I helped support the Title V TALCAS grant.