Meet the 2024-25 EPIC Leaders
Nicole Trevena Flores
Department Chair for Social Science and Global Education Coordinator, Southeast Community College
Nicole Trevena Flores (she/her) is a licensed mental health practitioner and holds an M.A. in counseling, teaching graduate-level counseling students “Multicultural Counseling” since 2015. In addition, she holds an M.A. in sociology. She has been in higher education for 14 years, and began by teaching psychology and sociology. She currently splits her time between two roles she has held since 2019 as the Department Chair for Social Science and as the college’s Global Education Coordinator.
Outside of academia, she and her spouse love going on adventures with their 2 little girls, and new Bernadoodle puppy.
Leadership Plan:
As my institution prepares to write its next college-wide strategic plan I hope to spend my time, in this fellowship, creating ways to integrate internationalization into the college-wide 5 year plan. In doing so, I hope to create additional avenues for internationalization of coursework, especially as it relates to our Trades Division. In addition, I hope to support an increased focus on international student support structures and systems.
Joseph T. Koroma
Dean of Enrollment Services and Chief Financial Aid Officer, Laney College
Dr. Joseph T. Koroma was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where he started his higher education which was disrupted by an armed conflict in the country.
He earned degrees from Manchester University in Indiana with majors in accounting (B.S.) and interdisciplinary studies (B.A.) and Indiana State University majoring in public administration (MPA) and geography (Ph.D.).
Joseph has over 20 years experience working at higher education institutions in Indiana, Washington, and California. He currently serves as Dean of Enrollment Services (Acting) and Chief Financial Aid Officer at Laney College in Oakland, CA. He has also served as an adjunct professor of geography and educational leadership at various colleges.
He is married and has three daughters, including twins. He loves to read and take walks in his free time.
Leadership plan:
My goal is to assess and explore with a view to developing mutually beneficial educational partnerships between Laney College and one or more institutions of higher education in West Africa. Such partnerships will establish academic and social linkages for students, faculty, and administrators at the home campus (Laney) and the international campus as well.
Examples of outcomes for such a partnership will be the creation of learning communities of various academic disciplines to provide study abroad opportunities in Africa for students and making financial aid available for those interested in international educational experiences.
Richard Lubben
Academic Dean, College of the Sequoias
An artist, educator, and curator of the Human Rights Art Exhibition, Richard Lubben has provided a platform for international artists to address critical issues since 2006. He earned an MFA from Instituto Allende in Mexico, a B.A. in studio art from Sacramento State, and an A.A. from Cabrillo College. Lubben has taught at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico and South Texas College, held academic dean positions at Lane Community College and College of the Sequoias, and served as the Visiting Fulbright Research Chair in human rights and social justice at the University of Ottawa, Canada.
Leadership plan:
I will explore emerging technologies like VR and virtual class collaboration with faculty to foster global perspectives in teaching and professional practice/research. The initial collaboration will be with a Fulbright Scholar from the University of Seville who has set the framework, and was at our college for the Spring 2024 semester. The goal is to provide faculty support in using technology and making connections for cross-discipline and global collaborations.
Marcela Murillo
Interim Director of International Education
Dr. Marcela Murillo directs international education affairs at Santa Fe College and serves as assistant professor of Spanish. She holds a Ph.D. in Romance Languages and a master's in women's studies from the University of Florida. Dr. Murillo has led summer language immersion programs in Spain, initiated virtual exchange partnerships with classrooms in Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, and Ecuador, and supported international CCAP delegations. She has presented internationally on virtual exchange and national identity. Currently, she is pursuing a master's in educational technology to innovate global learning, AI classroom assignments, and COIL initiatives. She believes transformative education transcends borders.
Leadership plan:
I would like to work on creating a faculty training program on study abroad programs. Faculty with interests in creating a study abroad experience at Santa Fe are currently not required to attend any training, and I believe from a risk management point of view this should change. I would like to research what other colleges do to build capacity for faculty interested in this topic.
Elvin Ramos
Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities, De Anza College
Dr. Elvin T. Ramos is the Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities at De Anza College in Cupertino, California. He previously served as Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of the District of Columbia Community College from 2018-2020. Dr. Ramos teaches various subjects and focuses his research on world poverty and sustainable development. He is the founder of Global Tassels, Inc. and Sapphire Global Associates, LLC. He earned his doctorate from St. John’s University in 2010 and graduated from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY with his master's degree in education (2007), and bachelor's degree in political science (2006).
Leadership plan:
I will work on a transformative initiative synthesizing the knowledge and wisdom shared by over 100 speakers from De Anza's MOMENTUM Series. This project compiles a culturally responsive and globally conscious narrative, capturing the essence of teaching, equity, race, and community support during the pandemic and beyond. By aligning insights from global issues, I will collaborate with colleagues to create a book that deepens our understanding and broadens perspectives. This initiative shares collective wisdom, promoting inclusivity, social justice, and equity from a global perspective, benefiting our community college students.
Stacye Fraser Thompson
Executive Directory of Study Alabama, Jefferson State Community College
Stacye Fraser Thompson is a 25-year veteran of international education. She holds a B.A. in international studies from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), an M.A. in international relations from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. in educational studies for diverse populations (Culture, Context, and Policy) at UAB. She serves as Coordinator for International Student Services at Jefferson State Community College. She has taught International Relations and Foreign Cultures and has worked in immigration advising, international admissions, and community outreach for many years. She also serves as the Executive Director of Study Alabama and is an Senior International Officer (SIO) At-large (elect) for the Community Colleges of International Development (CCID). She is a Fulbright alumna of the 2022 U.S. Germany International Education Administrator Program and part of the Fulbright Association of Alabama. Her research areas of interest include community college internationalization and the educational attainment of immigrants and refugees.
Leadership plan:
I would like to set goals for comprehensive internationalization by integrating the research I have already gathered and the experiences of the colleagues in this program.