Follow us on Instagram!
Search
Close this search box.
College Access Plan

Our Team

CAP’s team is dynamic and smart and fun — and deeply committed to the fundamental value that college can change lives.

Monique Hyman

Mo Hyman
Executive Director
she/her

As one of CAP’s founders, Mo can’t think of anywhere else on earth she’d rather be. The students she meets everyday inspire her to work hard and laugh a lot. It’s easy for her to be passionate about college: it was as an undergraduate at Michigan State University receiving a BA in English that Mo developed into a scholar, became a community advocate, and made the friends of a lifetime. She has since gone on to obtain an MA in English from the University of New Mexico and a Masters of Public Administration from USC and spent nearly two decades teaching community college English, which helped to build her passion for educational equality and access. CAP allows her to combine these passions and work shoulder-to-shoulder with the most amazing students, staff, board, and community she could have ever imagined.

In addition to her role at CAP, Mo proudly serves on the Leadership Council of Collaborate PASadena, a shared initiative of the Pasadena Public School district, community organizations, and the city/local governments of Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre. She also serves on the board of Action Kivu, a nonprofit organization that collaborates with local nongovernmental organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and invests in Congo’s women, children, and communities through vocational training and education, creating paths toward peace and prosperity.

Email: mo [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Innesa Ranchpar Kolanjian

Innesa Ranchpar Kolanjian
Director of Programs
she/her

Innesa joined the CAP family in 2016 as a volunteer and now serves the team as Director of Programs! She is a first generation college student, who earned her B.A. and M.A. in English from University of La Verne and Chapman University. Innesa’s deep commitment to education and college access is evident in her career trajectory, from working for school districts and college student support programs to teaching community college English. Within college access, she is especially interested in increasing access to need-based student aid. Innesa is married to her college sweetheart, Shant, and is a proud mama to their babies, Raffi and Henri, and pup, Gatsby!

Email: innesa [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Kate Jordan

Kate Jordan
Director, Operations & Communications
she/her

Pre-CAP, Kate led marketing and communications initiatives for five international art fairs. She has collaborated with museums, artists, galleries, patrons, sponsors, government agencies, and arts organizations in major US cities, curating and managing events from behind-the-scenes installation to networking with major sponsors and donors. Comfortable working with artists and CEOs alike, Kate brings a fresh perspective to the CAP team.

Email: kate [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Natasha Mahone

Natasha Mahone
Manager, Middle School & Family Engagement
she/her

Natasha Mahone joined CAP in the Spring of 2016. Born and raised in Southern California, Natasha graduated from California State University Northridge with double major in Psychology and Pan African Studies.

With over 20 years of experience in youth leadership and community programs, Natasha is committed to preparing students and families for college. Her wealth of experience spans from Director of Programs to individual academic counseling. Her passion to fulfill the need of our community was acknowledged by the Pasadena Unified School District, which awarded Natasha Volunteer of the Year in 2016. Natasha knows that striving for higher education is challenging and not sought by all students, but she believes all should be afforded the opportunity. Natasha is thrilled to serve the parents and middle school students of HLPUSD and PUSD in her role with CAP!

Email: natasha [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Wendy Duran

Wendy Duran
Program Coordinator, Family Engagement
she/ella

Wendy is passionate about increasing the number of students who get to and through postsecondary education. She arrived at CAP with 15 years of professional experience with Cal State Fullerton, Cal Poly Pomona, UC Riverside, Early Outreach Programs, GEAR UP, Upward Bound, and Talent Search. Wendy loves her role serving the parents and families of HLPUSD and PUSD students.

As a student services practitioner, she understands the power of parent engagement and caring adults in the lives of youth. She attended public schools in Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles. Thanks in large part to the caring adults and mentors in her life, Wendy reached her educational goals. She earned her B.A. from UC Riverside in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Sociology and a minor in Education. She also earned her M.A. in Education from Claremont Graduate University.

Email: wendy [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Jada Tarvin-Abu-Bekr
Program Coordinator, Middle School 
she/her

Jada is a first generation college graduate with a Bachelors of Social Work from Azusa Pacific University and a Masters of Social Work from New York University. Prior to CAP, Jada worked in different spaces engaging in college student and youth development as well as mental health advocacy at organizations. Her work with Harambee Ministries and The JED Foundation has grounded her passions of working with BIPOC and minority populations expanding access and opportunity. Jada has spent a lot of time working in community development and cultural service spaces domestically and internationally.

At CAP, Jada hopes to support and empower students to unlock their full potential regardless of their next steps, while continuing to impact systems to be more reflective, representative, equal, and accessible for all.

Email: jada [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Jamie Belen Freerksen

Jamie Belen Freerksen
Program Coordinator, Middle School
she/her

Jamie is a first-generation Latina student who graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Educational Foundations from Cal State University, Los Angeles. She believes that every student, no matter their multiple and intersecting identity has a right to learn; has a right to equitable education; and has a right to express their questions about, struggles with, or joy of learning. She is excited to support middle school and empower them with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their future and their educational journey.

Email: jamie [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Natalie Harris

Natalie Harris
Program Manager, High School
she/ella

A CAP alum and former Pasadena High School student, Natalie graduated from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) with a B.A. in Psychology and studied abroad for a term in Ireland. Prior to her time at CAP, Natalie was a TRIO advisor and mentor at PHS. She also previously served as a student advisor on CAP’s Alumni Advisory Council. A first generation graduate herself, Natalie is passionate about bringing change to her Altadena/Pasadena community by empowering underrepresented and marginalized youth.

Email: natalie [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Cynthia Contreras

Cynthia Contreras
Program Coordinator, High School
she/ella

Cynthia is a first generation college graduate from the University of California, Berkeley. She received a B.A. in Gender and Women’s Studies and International Area Studies. She also completed a semester abroad in Spain. At UC Berkeley, Cynthia worked with Girls Incorporated and a local literacy program to empower other first generation youth. She returned to SoCal after graduation to serve as an instructional aide for Alta Vista Innovation High School, helping students improve their academic skills and learning strategies. Cynthia’s mentors empowered her throughout her academic journey; as a program coordinator for CAP, she hopes to provide the same support for PUSD students.

CAP Coordinator for: CIS Academy; Marshall Fundamental; Pasadena High School

Email: cynthia [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Daniel Garcia

Daniel Garcia
Program Coordinator, High School
he/his

CAP’s high school Program Coordinator, Daniel, is a first-generation college graduate from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he received a BA in Politics and Latin American & Latino Studies. He attributes his foundation for education and passion for social justice to his community college, Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC).

As a college access professional, Daniel continues to empower his community by volunteering with his alma maters and non-profit organizations such as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, and United We Dream. Bringing a holistic viewpoint to his position, he works to close gaps in educational equity by being a resource and mentor for PUSD students. He works in Hacienda La Puente Unified School District teaching CAP’s Writing Intensive for Seniors and College 101 for Juniors workshops, and supporting grades 9-10.

Email: daniel [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Silkea Islam

Silkea Aktar Islam
Program Coordinator, High School
she/her

Silkea is a first-generation graduate of the University of California, Riverside with a B.A. in English. She began her professional journey as an AmeriCorps member for City Year Los Angeles. She further studied education at Cal State LA, where she achieved an M.A. in Education, Curriculum & Instruction. Silkea’s passion is shining light on students’ strengths and skills at any age and grade level. She is excited to be one of CAP’s Program Coordinators and to support students on their college and professional journey. She works in Pasadena Unified School District teaching CAP’s Writing Intensive for Seniors and College 101 for Juniors workshops, and supporting grades 9-10.

Email: silkea [at] collegeaccessplan.org

CAP Staff - Areli Patiño

Areli Patiño
Program Coordinator, High School
she/her

Areli is a first-generation college graduate who began her college journey at Mount San Antonio College (MT. SAC), where she earned a Sociology AA-T and Social and Behavioral Sciences AA. Areli then transferred to UCLA where she earned a BA in Sociology and Anthropology. Her professional journey started as a Volunteer and Wellness Intern for the Undocumented Student Program (USP) at UCLA, which ignited her passion for helping students achieve their educational goals and giving back to her community. Upon graduating from UCLA, Areli worked as an Outreach and Student Support Advocate for the Grads to Be Program at Fullerton College. Her role was to aid undocumented college students in transferring to other institutions. She did this by sharing her personal experience and informing high school students of the resources available for pursuing higher education. Areli is thrilled to join the CAP team and assist students in attaining their academic objectives while also providing aid to her hometown community in the Hacienda La Puente Unified District.

CAP Coordinator for Glen A. Wilson High and William Workman High

Email: areli [at] collegeaccessplan.org

CAP Staff - Karla Ramos

Karla Ramos
Program Coordinator, High School
she/her

Karla is a first-generation college student from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She received her B.A. in Environmental Studies with an emphasis on climate change. Throughout her college career, she participated in many hands-on research opportunities revolving around climate change impacts, such as sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica and on a carbon sequestration on a research vessel on the California coast. These opportunities sparked her love for education and assisting youth to accomplish their goals. After graduation, she worked with the City of Boston, Massachusetts to empower and provide young people with career readiness workshops to prepare them to take the next professional steps. Through her work at CAP, Karla hopes to continue empowering and assisting students to take the next steps to an amazing future.

CAP Coordinator for Blair High School, Marshall Fundamental, and Rose City

Email: karla [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Vanessa Reyes Sandoval

Vanessa Reyes Sandoval
Program Coordinator, High School
she/ella

Vanessa is a first-generation college graduate whose educational journey began at Mount San Antonio College (MT. SAC), where she earned a Social Justice AA-T. She then transferred to her dream school, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and earned a BA in Education and Social Transformation. During her time at UCLA, Vanessa interned at UCLA Community Schools where she tutored and advocated for first-generation students to pursue higher education. Upon graduating from UCLA, she worked as a preschool teacher in Rancho Cucamonga and also volunteered at Pomona Unified School District where she tutored K-12 students. Vanessa is excited to join the CAP team and to support students in their educational journey.

CAP Coordinator for La Puente High and Los Altos High 

Email: vanessa [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Betty Tsang

Betty Tsang
Program Manager, I Heart College
she/her

Betty is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has spent nearly a decade working in community mental health with youth and their families in their homes, schools, and communities. Betty joined CAP in March of 2018 as an AmeriCorps VISTA and now serves as Program Manager for I Heart College, CAP’s through college alumni program. Betty is dedicated to supporting students holistically as they navigate the college experience.

Betty is a first-generation college student, who earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside, and her M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from University of La Verne.

Email: betty [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Armeni Azilazian

Armeni Azilazian
Program Coordinator, I Heart College
she/her

As a former PUSD student, Armeni first came into CAP’s drop-in program at Marshall Fundamental to get help with her FAFSA and college applications. Armeni then joined I Heart College, CAP’s alumni program, and stayed connected with CAP throughout her time in college. Over the years, Armeni has held a few roles at CAP — Summer Associate, Intern, and Program Assistant — but she is most proud of her current role, IHC Program Coordinator. She is thrilled to be able to support students in their own college journey just as CAP once did for her.

Armeni graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 2021 with a B.A. in Sociology.

Email: armeni [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Ari Leonida

Ari Leonida
Program Coordinator, I Heart College
he/they

Ari is a first-generation university graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, where he received a BA in Global Studies emphasis on Societies and Cultures in Asia along with a minor in Education. He began his college career at Citrus College earning two AA degrees in International Relations and Language Arts. He attributes his passion for serving underrepresented and underserved communities to his work with UC Berkeley’s Pilipinx Academic Student Services (PASS). As the Youth Mentorship Coordinator for PASS, he held events and led seminars to promote access to first-generation students in higher education.

Email: ari [at] collegeaccessplan.org

Evellyn Rosas

Evellyn Rosas
Administrative Assistant
she/they

Evellyn is a first-generation college graduate and professional from the San Fernando Valley, now residing in the San Gabriel Valley. She received a B.A. in International Security and Conflict Resolution from San Diego State University. Since her undergraduate career, Evellyn has worked with students in K-12 and college through tutoring, after-school program development, and outdoor education.

Email: evellyn [at] collegeaccessplan.org