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Inspiring Women of LBCC Honorees

March 2025

This year’s awardees were nominated for Moving Forward & Taking Action Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.

• Christina Barrios, Director of EOPS/CARE, CalWORKs, FYSS, and Dream Services. “Her ability to turn advocacy into meaningful action continues to inspire students, faculty, and staff. Her work is about breaking cycles of poverty and creating opportunities for the next generation. When student parents graduate, their children witness firsthand the power of education, laying the foundation for a family legacy of learning.” ~ José Ibarra, Administrator
• Dr. Vanessa Crispin-Peralta, Professor of History “I see her as a natural leader. […] She values praxis: putting feminist theory into action. […] She has been a source of inspiration for me and other faculty who experienced a significant amount of fear, demoralization, and anxiety as a result of colleague’s actions. […] All of Vanessa’s efforts: History professor, club advisor, workgroup leader, address efforts to make women’s lives better and safer—for both her students and her colleagues across the disciplines.” ~ Janet Hund, Sean Dinces, Kirsten Moreno and Kamisha Sullivan, Faculty
• Dr. Sonia De La Torre-Iniguez, Dean of Student Equity “Her impressive academic record, maintained while balancing the demands of motherhood and caregiving, serves as a beacon of motivation for others.” ~ Heidi Neu-Stephens, Instructional Specialist

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Christina M. Barrios is the Director of EOPS/CARE, CalWORKs, FYSS, and Dream Services. She is the Vice-Chair of the LA County Community College CalWORKs Consortium, Student Voices Co-Chair for the CA CalWORKs Association, and supports many student parent initiatives at LBCC. A proud product of the community college system, she navigated higher education as a single teen mother to her now 14-year-old son Danny and attributes her success to support programs such as EOPS, CARE, and CalWORKs. Christina holds a M.Ed. in Educational Counseling from USC and a B.A in Sociology from CSUF. She obtained her AA-T in Sociology from Cypress College and is expected to earn her Ed.D in 2025.

Dr. Vanessa Crispin-Peralta is a professor of History with a particular emphasis on gender and sexuality. She also serves as the Department Head for History, Political Science, and Ethnic Studies, and hold the positions of Vice-President and Organizing Chair for LBCCFA. She is a tri-chair for LBCC’s Commission on the Status of Women and Gender Equity. Her life was forever changed when she took a Women’s History class at her local community college, and she has dedicated her professional life to creating that same kind of experience for the students in her classes.

Dra. Sonia De La Torre serves as the Dean of Student Equity at LBCC; where she has been employed for 9 years in various capacities. Sonia has dedicated her 24-year career in higher education to serving marginalized student communities across the UC, CSU, 4-year private, and community college systems. As a first-generation college graduate, and practitioner, Sonia has centered her work on program development and systems change to increase access, equity, and success outcomes for students. She earned her undergraduate degree from UC Davis, her master’s degree from CSU San Bernardino, and her doctoral degree from CSU Long Beach in educational leadership.

March 2024

This year’s awardees are Cindy Enrigue, Karla Lopezy and Liliana Moreno

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• Cindy Enrigue, Assistant Professor Mathematics & Engineering .
  “Cindy’s focus on diversity is evident in her development of programs that celebrate mathematical contributions from a variety of cultures, directly challenging the traditional narratives in STEM fields.” ~ Jane Tamayo, Staff
• Karla Lopezy Stonnington, Student
  “She has helped take down barriers in Automotive and show that females are an equitable part in this industry.” ~ Andrew Stonnington and RosaElia Contreras, Students
• Liliana Moreno, Student 
  “Her impressive academic record, maintained while balancing the demands of motherhood and caregiving, serves as a beacon of motivation for others.” ~ Cristian Mijangos, Student 

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Cindy Enrigue has been cultivating an equity-driven andragogy within the Math and Engineering department at LBCC since 2015.  Professor Enrigue is passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (D.E.I.A.) in higher education across all disciplines, with a special interest in STEM related courses. She played a pivotal role in the creation of the Hispanic mathematics poster that celebrates and highlights each Hispanic professor within the department. Currently she is a co-lead for the ME 1st (Math and English in the 1stYear) learning community that aims to increase student success.

 

Karla Lopezy Contreras Stonnington is a resilient DACA recipient who has defied odds and stereotypes to achieve academic excellence. Despite facing adversity and being told she wouldn’t even go to college; she earned her AAT in Psychology from LBCC before transferring to UCLA. There, she graduated with honors (cum laude) with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Biomedical Research. Her passion for serving underserved communities led her to pursue pre-medical requirements via a DIY Post-Baccalaureate at LBCC, where she is finishing this Fall and has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA. All the while, she has held the position of head chair/head researcher for UCLA MEDPEP: Medical Journal Scholar and CEO of Execute Higher.

As the head research/head chair, she opens doors for students who haven’t had research opportunities and works closely with UCLA Medical School. She is also the CEO and Founder of Execute Higher, a non-profit which empowers continuation high school students, teaching them about their cultural wealth, impostor syndrome, breaking barriers, and fostering inclusivity. She thanks God for all her blessings and opportunities. Karla’s dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion exemplifies the spirit of Women’s History Month.

 

Liliana Moreno is a veteran born in Torrance, California, and raised in Mexico. She is currently pursuing a social work major with her ultimate goal to be a Mental Health Therapist, assisting others in readjusting and coping with life. She enjoys helping and supporting others. She is part of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for her outstanding GPA and has worked as a Medical Technician in the U.S Air Force. Liliana appreciates and celebrates the beauty of diversity and inclusion of all people across race, religion, gender, and age. She loves traveling and truly values friendship.

March 2023

This year’s awardees are Angela Fowlkes, Martha Pamintuan, and Lupe Pasillas. 

• Angela Fowlkes, Financial Aid Specialist
  “By sharing her story, she has been able to connect with and uplift the women around her, inspiring them to overcome their own obstacles and reach their full potential. - James Martinez”
• Martha Pamintuan, Assistant Professor, Performing Arts
  “She believes in her team, the students we support, and creating change for the better. She uses her experiences to elevate others, and I have felt it first-hand with her belief in me. - Janét Hund“
• Lupe Pasillas, Director, High School Outreach & Educational Partnerships
  “She believes in her team, the students we support, and creating change for the better. She uses her experiences to elevate others, and I have felt it first-hand with her belief in me.​ – Laura Zhang“

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My name is Angela Fowlkes and I have been employed at LBCC since 2000. I was given the name Nana Yaa Asantewaa while visiting Ghana, Africa. I am the single mother of five African American, Extraordinary Daughters and one granddaughter (Akua), who have been the source of my inspiration.

I am the youngest daughter of Willie & Mariah Fowlkes who migrated from Selma, Alabama in 1956, and provided me with a foundation in God, which has been the catalyst of my strength and perseverance.

I love decorating my home and gardening which are my sources of refuge.

MARTHA L. Z. PAMINTUAN is an Associate Professor of Dance at Long Beach City College and San Francisco Bay Area Native. She earned her MFA in Dance on a full scholarship from the University of California, Irvine and her BA in Dance and a Minor in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University.

Pamintuan is Co-Founder, Co-Artistic Director, and Co-Choreographer of LV Dance Collective based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. She founded the East Oakland Sports Center Introductory School of Dance in Oakland, California serving as the Cultural Arts Program Director/Choreographer.

Her work has been awarded and recognized nationally and she has toured internationally throughout the South of Chile, Vietnam, Spain and Ghana. Martha is also a professional athlete, a runner and swimmer; a fitness professional; a licensed Zumba instructor, ballet barre instructor, water aerobics instructor, swim instructor; an actor; and most importantly a mother and wife.  

Lupe Pasillas is the Director of High School Outreach & Educational Partnerships at Long Beach City College. In this role, she leads efforts to increase college access and success for dual enrollment and first-time college students.

She is the daughter of immigrant parents and a first-generation graduate who earned an Associate’s from Rio Hondo, a Bachelor’s in Political Science from UCLA, and a Master’s in Counseling from CSULB. Ms. Pasillas is a passionate higher education advocate who strives to create transformational opportunities for disproportionately impacted students.

- Lupe Pasillas
 Director, High School Outreach & Educational Partnerships​

March 2022

1st Annual Inspiring Women of LBCC Recognition in 2022

LBCC celebrated Women’s History Month with the 1st Annual Inspiring Women Recognition in 2022. The recognition honors LBCC women who inspire and motivate others in the campus community. Read more about each honoree.

This year’s awardees are Sofia Beas, Thania Bogarin, and Heather Dy. 

• Sofia Beas, Professor/Academic Counselor, Counseling Department 
  “Sofia embodies a strong woman; I stand on the shoulders of her strength.” ~ Janét Hund (Faculty)
   
• Heather Dy, Dept. Head & Associate Professor, Life Sciences 
  “Professor Dy treats each of us with dignity and respect, but still holds us to the highest standards.” ~Emily Morales (Student) 
   
• Thania Bogarin, Adjunct Professor, Life Sciences 
  “Professor Bogarin is the perfect example of commitment, positivity, and resilience.” ~ Maria Nunez (Student)
   

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Growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American in Northeast Los Angeles, I was taught at an early age the importance of getting an education from my mother’s words.

As an educator, I have always advocated for students of color and, especially, those at the PCC campus. Aside from counseling thousands of students, I am proud of the things that I have accomplished at LBCC: President of LBCC’s first chapter of the Latina Leadership Network; the first Latina LBCCFA Chief Negotiator; establishing the Puente Program in 1994; and directing a $5 million-dollar Title V HSI grant. And, throughout my 31 years, I have been a proud Union advocate and have always defended my Counseling discipline while meeting student needs.

Most importantly, my education has afforded me the ability to do what I love, to travel and spend time with my husband, familia, and friends. 

Gracias for this acknowledgment! 

 

My name is Heather Dy, and I’ve been a member of the LBCC community since 2014, serving as a full-time faculty member in the Life Sciences department. I’m the current Department Head, a role I’ve been honored to have since 2017. During my tenure at the college, I’ve taught ANAT41, a Human Anatomy and Physiology course. Of all the experiences I’ve had over the past 14 years, my most rewarding interactions have been with my students and colleagues.

 

Thania Bogarin is a cellular and molecular biologist with a background in basic and clinical science research. Thania teaches as a part-time adjunct in the Life Sciences Department at LBCC and works full-time as a biologics manufacturing associate at the Center of Biomedicine and Genetics producing biologics used to treat cancer patients at the City of Hope. Thania’s goals and aspirations are to become a life science full-time professor at LBCC and be able to dedicate more of her time to students, while contributing to the strength and growing efforts of the Life Science Department and LBCC as a whole.