Class Notes
2007
Chanda Esparza
Chanda Esparza ’07, ’10 in 2019 transitioned into full-time private practice, providing art, play, trauma and sandtray therapy to clients on the south side of San Antonio. Esparza offers children in foster care and mandated clients (probation and child protective service) a space to resolve their stresses and/or past trauma. She is certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and is a Certified Clinical Sandtray Trainer (CCST-T). She is on the board as a conference chair with the Texas Sandtray Association.
2009
Denise P. Gonzales
Denise P. Gonzales has been with Department of Family and Protective Services for 12 years, currently serving as a hiring manager. She launched a small business, Rosie’s Heavenly Blooms, which was created for her niece Rosie. This venture allows her to learn valuable skills while enabling her family to engage in meaningful and fulfilling work together.
2010
Elvira T. Marquez
Elvira T. Marquez ’10, ’12 is director of placement services with ABC Adoption Agency, connecting pregnant women with prospective adoptive parents. She said she has never had more rewarding work. She also provides adoption counseling and home study services to prospective adoptive parents, including stepparents, grandparents and others.
Bianca Pankau
Bianca Pankau is a paralegal/CSS in the Kansas City, Missouri, office of Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP. She graduated with a B.A.A.S. from A&M-San Antonio and a paralegal studies degree from Rockhurst University.
2011
Gabriel Cardenas
Gabriel Cardenas owns and operates The Fridge, a San Antonio-based food truck, voted the best food truck in 2016 by the readers of the San Antonio Current. She is executive chef for a senior living facility, was married in 2012 and has two children.
Angela M. Cavazos
Angela M. Cavazos earned an Ed.D. in organizational leadership from Abilene Christian University in fall 2024.
Monica J. Simpson
Monica J. Simpson is regional director of client services with EMPACT Engineering.
2012
Christina M. Baker
Christina M. Baker started a position in May 2024 at a personal injury firm.
Clotia M. Bowens
Clotia M. Bowens was selected in the first round to participate in an annual fashion show with BRC (Breathe and Rise Collective), Breatherisecollective.org.
Diana L. Orozco
Diana L. Orozco ’12, ’14 was selected to be part of the Small Business Committee for AFCEA International, a professional association for those working in preparedness and security. She is director of business development for Breakpoint Labs, a cybersecurity firm. She is on the St. Philip’s Cybersecurity & Information Technology Advisory Board, Palo Alto Business and Operations Management Advisory Committee, and Harlandale ISD Cybersecurity/IT Business Advisory Committee. Orozco received the Women’s Appreciation Award from AFCEA International.
Brandon N. Pesqueda
Brandon N. Pesqueda earned a master’s degree in legal studies from Arizona State University, graduating on Dec. 14, 2020. He and his wife, Marissa Deleon ’16, have two sons, Nathaniel and Noah. “As I like to call our family, it’s the Fantastic Four,” he said.
2013
Ingrid Zapata Read
Ingrid Zapata Read is celebrating year-two of her business, Grow With Community, a consulting agency that helps startups and businesses transform their audiences into communities outside of social media. Building on the success of her first venture, Working Momkind, Read draws inspiration from her Mexican-American roots and upbringing in San Antonio. Her culture instilled in her the importance of connection, resilience and community — values that have shaped her work in social media and community-building.
2014
Aarika R. Anderson
Aarika R. Anderson earned a license as a certified public accountant.
Rose M. Hilt
Rose M. Hilt ’12, a workforce manager for the city of San Antonio in the Workforce Development Office with San Antonio Ready to Work, leads the employer partnership team. She also serves as a city trainer, leading training sessions for newly hired city employees. In October 2024, Hilt earned a project management certification. In August 2024, she began pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership and a Ph.D. in leadership studies. She was elected to co-lead the cohort.
2015
Kalin M. Skinner
Kalin M. Skinner is an assistant professor of instruction, biology, health, and the environment at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her courses include Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Animal Nutrition. She started her research at A&M-San Antonio, publishing her work on intestinal parasites of feral hogs with Dr. Wise de Valdez in Southwestern Naturalist in 2019. Her other published works include research on parasites of quail, developing a mobile laboratory platform, as well as coinfection dynamics of pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria within tick cells. She earned her M.S. in 2017 from Angelo State University and her Ph.D. in 2023 from Texas Tech University.
2016
Subish S. Nair
Subish S. Nair is an IT project manager in a petroleum company who recently earned Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute.
2017
Luis E. Bravo
Luis E. Bravo is leading technical infrastructure refreshes for U.S. Bank corporate campuses and branches across the nation.
Michelle A. Delgado
Michelle A. Delgado earned the designation of Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer.
Saul Ramirez Jr.
Saul Ramirez Jr. joined McKinsey & Company as a human resources professional supporting the firm’s Houston, Dallas, and west coast offices. In 2025, he plans to obtain his SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) certification.
Nicole B. Rink
Nicole B. Rink and her husband Spencer welcomed their first child, Spencer Jr., in June 2023. After graduation, she worked for Sprint/T-Mobile for eight years and a home health and hospice company in human resources for two years.
Monica Salazar-Zepeda
Monica Salazar-Zepeda earned an M.A. in counseling from West Texas A&M University in December. She recently passed the national counselor exam and will work at Aloe Vera Counseling in San Antonio, where she interned.
Brandi D. Wolfe
Brandi D. Wolfe, a family law attorney, is in private practice at Brandi Wolfe Law PLLC, where she focuses on uncontested and high-conflict divorce cases. She runs the Women’s Empowerment Legal Center, a nonprofit providing free legal services to survivors of domestic violence. She has procured more than 70 protective orders across Texas. Married for 15 years to former pro-wrestler Dusty Wolfe ’12, a college teacher, the two have a son, Grant Wolfe, and balance football, jiujitsu and advocacy.
2018
Pablo R. Cabrera
Pablo R. Cabrera is executive project officer and knowledge manager at the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
2019
Jorge S. Alvarez-Luna
Jorge S. Alvarez-Luna was named Southwest ISD Teacher of the Year, a recipient of the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching Award, and a finalist for H-E-B Excellence in Education recognition. He is finishing an M.Ed. in school leadership at Trinity University. “My ultimate goal remains steadfast: to serve my community and empower the students I have the privilege to teach,” he said.
Cynthia A. Arce
Cynthia A. Arce is a kindergarten teacher for San Antonio ISD at Collins Garden Elementary. She is Master Teacher-Recognized and being reviewed for exemplary performance. She has been awarded several grants through SAISD and Donor’s Choose and has been recognized by SAISD for her use of technology in the classroom.
Adan G. Garcia
Adan G. Garcia is an IT specialist at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System in San Antonio, which provides service to veterans in the region. He is a U.S. Navy veteran.
Gabrielle M. Harden Herrera
Gabrielle M. Harden Herrera ’16 was named Rising Star of the Year by the Community-Led Alliance and a finalist for the inaugural Customer Success Accelerator award from Captivate Collective. A senior marketing manager at HubSpot, Herrera scales and optimizes customer marketing and community program engagement for their 238k+ customers. Her team was also recognized by Khoros, a CX software provider, as the “Best Peer-to-Peer Knowledge Sharing Community” in November 2024.
2020
Robin M. Randall
Robin M. Randall started a coaching business called M.U.Ms (Mentally Understanding Motherhood) All Over, designed to help girls and women navigate their tween years to young adulthood.
Samantha Tupper
Samantha Tupper, a first-grade teacher at Harmony Elementary School, was named East Central ISD Teacher of the Year. She was recognized for “consistently demonstrat(ing) exceptional educational leadership, (and) fostering a vibrant and inclusive learning environment where her students thrive.”
Dani R. Vidal
Dani R. Vidal completed an internship at A&M-San Antonio Archives and Special Collections during the fall 2024 semester. She earned a master’s degree in library science from Texas Woman’s University on Dec. 13, 2024.
2021
Daryela A. Aguilera
Daryela A. Aguilera ’21, ’24 is a family support worker for the city of San Antonio’s Department of Human Services. She provides Head Start families with resources for job training, food pantries, homeless shelters, and other assistance programs. She also connects them to counseling services and encourages them to seek higher education through programs such as Ready to Work.
Brandon T. Harrist
Brandon T. Harrist is an associate assistant athletic trainer for the New York Mets organization. He will be working with their High A team, the Brooklyn Cyclones.
Justin Hartman
Justin Hartman is a cardiovascular perfusionist (a health care professional who specializes in operating and maintaining extracorporeal circulation equipment, such as a heart-lung machine) in San Antonio.
Kathryn Miller
Kathryn Miller, along with Associate Professor Dr. Elisabeth Krimbill, presented at the Education Law Association conference in November on the historic Crumbley cases and how they affect parental accountability. Jennifer and James Crumbley were the first U.S. parents convicted in a mass shooting carried out by their son.
Rebeca M. Sanchez
Rebeca M. Sanchez married Matthew Buck in November 2024. She teaches in the Houston ISD.
2022
Iliana V. Delgado
Iliana V. Delgado will attend Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C., this fall and is getting married in May. Since graduating, she has served as a volunteer advocate with Court Appointed Special Advocates and a youth mentor “big sister” with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.
Gabby Lopez
Gabby Lopez ’22, ’24 earned a master’s degree in cybersecurity, graduating within one year of starting
her program.
Andrea Lozano
Andrea Lozano, a parole officer in San Antonio, graduated from Parole Officer Training Academy in August 2024 and has been with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for
two years.
Brenda L. Reyes
Brenda L. Reyes teaches third grade in the San Antonio ISD and was a nominee for Teacher of the Year.
Nick Tennessee
Nick Tennessee earned a master’s degree in public administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
2023
Sonia Beatrice
Sonia Beatrice is celebrating 20 years of her metaphysical business, Positive Direction The Wholeness Center. Beatrice is an intuitive channel and Reiki Master Teacher, assisting clients seeking empowerment and alignment. She also facilitates goal-oriented workshops, gives public speeches, and functions as a point-of-view life consultant and ordained wedding officiant.
Emanuel J. Bogany
Emanuel J. Bogany earned a master’s degree in theological studies from Dallas Baptist University on Dec. 13, 2024, with a 4.0 GPA. He proposed to his girlfriend on Dec. 20, 2024.
Jorge Garcia Jr.
Jorge Garcia Jr. works at Connally Middle School, where he has role with the Second Chance Academy. His efforts include reducing youth involvement in drugs and alcohol, while promoting healthy environments and self-respect. Garcia coaches multiple sports including football, basketball and track, allowing him to connect with students in a positive, active way, offering them mentorship and guidance both on and off the field.
Kirstan Garcia
Kirstan Garcia is working in data analytics and coding in the accounting area of S.B. Value Partners, an investment firm specializing in providing financial tech advisory services to community banks. “If it was not for one of the electives that I took, I would have been looked over as a candidate,” she said.
Viridiana Gomez
Viridiana Gomez will earn a master’s degree in English literature from A&M-San Antonio in May.
Denise N. Hernandez
Denise N. Hernandez is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. She has been inducted into both the National Honor Society and the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. She is working towards certifications in Sandtray therapy, rural area counseling, and trauma therapy.
Andrea N. Rivera
Andrea N. Rivera, a parole officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, graduated from the Parole Officer Academy in June 2024. Within two months she was promoted to a specialized caseload, the Special Needs Offender Program.
Riana I. Tovar
Riana I. Tovar is a membership and communications assistant at the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, where she is a part of the team that coordinates Fiesta. She is a former advertising manager at the University’s Mesquite-News, the student-run news website, and designer for El Espejo Magazine, a student magazine.
Essie T. Richardson
Essie T. Richardson ’22 is pursuing a M.S.W. at the University of Houston, with the goal of becoming a licensed clinical social worker. She works for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and published the book Cultivating Change: The Poetic Journey of a Young Christian. After graduating from A&M-San Antonio she participated in “City Year,” an AmeriCorp program that does near-peer mentoring with students.
2024
Elora Afrin
Elora Afrin is a water resources engineer for Gannett Fleming TranSystems in Dallas, Texas, where she contributes to water infrastructure projects, focusing on sustainable solutions for water and wastewater management.
Teresa V. Bofferding
Teresa V. Bofferding, who moved into the applied behavioral analysis field, is in the process of becoming a scientific research-based instructor. In the summer she will start A&M-San Antonio’s graduate program in special education with focus in autism and emotional disorders.
Elizabeth A. Castro
Elizabeth A. Castro is an area manager for Amazon, having completed her training in Seattle, Washington. She plans to start working on an M.B.A. in July at A&M-San Antonio, followed by earning a second master’s degree in psychology.
Roxanne Martinez
Roxanne Martinez is a legal assistant for a criminal defense attorney, where she reviews evidence, coordinates with multiple agencies, collects client information and edits court documents.
Bryanna L. Noriega
Bryanna L. Noriega is a Certified Career Experiential Navigator for students and alumni at Palo Alto College. She also plans to start the M.B.A. program at A&M-San Antonio.
Nigel L. Salisbury
Nigel L. Salisbury, an IT field technician at Goodwill San Antonio, is using programming skills he learned in Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman’s class to build APIs (application programming interface).
Stephanie M. Schleigh
Stephanie M. Schleigh completed training to become a Certified Electronic Reporter. She is an independent contractor working with Veritext, a court reporting company, to provide audio court reporting services for depositions and other legal matters.
Taylor Treviño
Taylor Treviño is the graduate admissions coordinator and academic advisor for the graduate program in the A&M-San Antonio College of Business.
Kristen A. Soderlund Slate
Kristen A. Soderlund Slate ’22 will begin her legal education at the Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C., this fall. She earned a master’s degree in public policy at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy. She is an inspector for the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, where she conducts evaluations and inspections of the nation’s justice programs. She is married and living in Washington, D.C.