Project MALES

Project MALES

Mentoring to Achieve Latino Educational Success

Staff

PM Staff posing with hook'em sign
PM Staff at Summit 2024

Professional Staff

Graduate Student Staff

Dr. Victor Saenz Headshot with crossed arms

Victor B. Sáenz, Ph.D., is the co-founder and Executive Director of Project MALES. He is Associate Dean for Student Success, Community Engagement, and Administration and L. D. Haskew Centennial Professor in Public School Administration in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Texas at Austin. He also holds courtesy appointments with the LBJ School of Public Affairs, the Center for Mexican American Studies, the Department of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies, the Irma Rangel Public Policy Institute, the Institute for Urban Policy Research & Analysis, and the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute. Dr. Sáenz has published in numerous peer-reviewed journals and recently published two books, including one on Latino males in higher education (Stylus Publishing, 2016). Sáenz’s current work advances research-informed best practices and policy solutions that improve educational outcomes for underserved students in education, with a special emphasis on boys and young men of color. Dr. Saenz earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education and Organizational Change from the University of California, Los Angeles. Full biography is available.

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Luis Ponjuán, Ph.D. is the co-founder of Project MALES and leads the Texas A&M research component. Dr. Ponjuán received his Ph.D. in Higher Education from University of Michigan in 2005. He joined the Educational Administration and Human Resources Development Department at Texas A&M University as an Associate Professor in 2012. He is the Research Director of the IDEAL (Investing in Diversity, Equity, Access, and Learning) research project. He teaches undergraduate courses in Human Resources Development and graduate courses in Higher Education. He has also graduated 12 doctoral students and over 50 masters students. His social justice research agenda focuses on Latino male students, Faculty members of color, and STEM learning outcomes. He has received over $1.6 million in external and internal research funding from the TG Foundation, Greater Texas Foundation, and the National Science Foundation. He has met President Obama and Vice President Biden and spoken at the White House for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence. He serves on the editorial board for the ASHE Higher Education Report Series. He has published peer-reviewed journal articles, an edited book, and national policy briefs. He has received the 2016 CEHD Climate award, 2014 CEHD Outstanding New Faculty Award, the 2014 CEHD Aggies Commit to Transforming Lives Administrative Fellowship, and the 2010 SAGE Publications most downloaded journal article award. Full biography is available.

Dr. Aguayo headshotRodrigo Aguayo, Ph.D. (he/él) is the associate director for Project MALES. Dr. Aguayo earned his Ph.D. and M.Ed. in the Program in Higher Education Leadership & Policy (PHELP) at The University of Texas at Austin and his B.A. in Psychology from Texas State University. Dr. Aguayo previously served as the Program Manager for the Community and Belonging Initiatives in the College of Natural Sciences and as the Program Coordinator for the Project MALES Mentoring Program at UT Austin. His research agenda explores men of color organizations and their servingness for collegiate men.

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Jase HeadshotJase Kugiya, Ph.D. (he/él) is the assistant director for research with Project MALES and recently earned his doctorate in the Program in Higher Education Leadership & Policy (PHELP) at The University of Texas at Austin.

 

 

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Ricardo “Rico” Gonzalez (he/él) is the administrative program coordinator for Project MALES and is a doctoral student in the Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership program at The University of Texas at Austin. He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts in Politics from Oberlin College and graduated with a Master’s in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Texas State University. Rico has worked in higher education for 12 years and his research interests include: mentoring, first-generation Latinx college students, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions.


Sakena Sounny-Slitine is a university professional (part-time) providing financial support for Project MALES. Sakena’s favorite subject is Cultural Geography. Her love for travel, both domestic and abroad, reflects her deep appreciation for diverse cultures. Sakena is a self-proclaimed tree-hugger, finding solace and joy in nature.

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Marianna Fresquez is a mentoring site coordinator for Project MALES and is a master’s student in the Education and Policy Planning Program at The University of Texas at Austin. Marianna graduated from The University of North Texas with a B.A in English Rhetoric and a B.A in Political Science. During her undergraduate career, Marianna was involved in various groups such as: the First-Generation Student Organization, Women’s Soccer, and Moot Court. Her research interests include examining historical and cultural contexts impacting current K-12 patterns. As well as the school-to-prison pipeline, K-12 education experiences for low-income and minority students, and school funding.


Juan Gonzalez is a graduate research assistant for Project MALES and a doctoral student in the Higher Education Leadership and Policy program at The University of Texas at Austin. He earned an A.A. in Social Sciences from San Joaquin Delta College in his hometown of Stockton, California. He also earned both a B.A. in Anthropology and a M.S. in Counseling, Student Development in Higher Education from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). Juan is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Samoa 2018-20) and a Fulbright Alumni (Argentina 2022). His past experiences include student affairs roles in residential life and student orientation at CSULB and most recently nonprofit management with Life Pieces To Masterpieces in Washington D.C. Juan’s research interests include study abroad, international exchange programs, migration stories, and Black and Latinx males in higher education.


LaFuente headshotClint LaFuente, is the mentoring program coordinator for Project MALES and is a doctoral student in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at The University of Texas at Austin. He earned his master’s degree in the Cultural Studies in Education Program at The University of Texas at Austin. Clint taught for several years at the K-12 level and has spearheaded mentoring programs as a full-time educator and Ph.D. student. His research interests include theoretical and methodological approaches to K-20 mentoring, and K-12 curriculum and instruction.

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Armando Lizarraga is a graduate research assistant for Project MALES and a doctoral candidate in the Program for Higher Education Leadership at The University of Texas at Austin. He earned an Associate of Arts in general studies- social and behavioral sciences from El Camino College and a Bachelor of Arts in Chicana/o studies and sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He earned his Master of Arts in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. His past experiences as a community college student inform his research interest. Armando’s research interest includes higher education in carceral facilities, postsecondary education programs in carceral facilities, and financial aid access to incarcerated students.


headshotCeline Norman is a mentoring site coordinator and a doctoral student in the Cultural Studies in Education Program at The University of Texas at Austin. She received a B.A. in Psychology, and a minor in Ethnic Studies from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests include the relationship between critical youth work practices, critical pedagogy, the politics of emotions and reimagining educational spaces.


Zorayda Sanchez is a mentoring site coordinator and a first-year master’s student in the Higher Education Leadership and Policy Program at The University of Texas at Austin. She received a B.S. in Education and a minor in art history from The University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests include education access and equity, supporting minoritized students through educational programming and mentorship, and the school-to-prison pipeline and its impact on academic outcomes for marginalized students.

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