PRESIDENT
 Rebecca De Leon
Program Coordinator, Community Partnerships & Campus Visit Experience
Returning Member (Class of 2023)
Committee(s): All-Staff Meeting
I’m originally from El Paso, Texas and lived all over the world but San Antonio has really made its way into my heart! I have been a part of the universities amazing enrollment management department for two years. I accepted the nomination to be a part of staff council in order to get more involved with campus activities and also meet more of my colleagues in different departments.
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VICE PRESIDENT/PRESIDENT-ELECT
 Heather Olague
Assistant Dean of Students, Cisneros Institute of Emerging Leaders
Returning Member (Class of 2024)
Committee(s): Marketing/Communications
I have been working at A&M-SA for a little over 7 years (it will be 8 years in December 2023) and I have been working in higher education since 2009. My top 5 CliftonStrengths are Learner, Analytical, Discipline, Restorative, and Responsibility. I love engaging in conversations around CliftonStrengths (not sure what is, just ask and I'll get you a code!). I hope to increase awareness of the great things that are happening on our campus, elevate ideas to enhance our university and bring creative solutions to challenges facing our staff members. Please don't hesitate to reach out. It's going to be a great year!
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TREASURER
Liesl Hons
Manager of First Impressions, Mays Center for Experiential Learning & Community Engagement
Returning Member (Class of 2024)
Committee(s): Social & Community Service
I came to higher education after working 13 years in secondary education. I am the inaugural administrative coordinator in the Mays Center here on campus as I started the day before the office grand opening in September 2018. I enjoy the higher education environment and our Texas A&M campus, and especially appreciate our University’s military embracing philosophy since there are 3 generations of military service within my immediate family. I hope to use my time on Staff Council to continue the good work started by my predecessors and further improve the work environment here on campus by making sure all staff have a voice.
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PARLIAMENTARIAN/HISTORIAN
 Mia Garcia
Partnership Liaison, University Access
Returning Member (Class of 2024)
Committee(s): Communications/Marketing and Social & Community Service
I began working at Texas A&M University-San Antonio in 2018 as a work-study and fell in love with the world of Higher Education! I knew higher education was the career path I wanted to follow, and 3+ years later here I am working as a staff member at my alma mater. GO JAGS! To me working in a team and sharing our ideas is what it’s all about! Being able to share my point of view as well as those around me is something I am super excited to do in Staff Council!
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SECRETARY
Yaribel Caraveo
Coordinator, First-Year Experience
Returning Member (Class of 2024)
Committee(s): All Staff Meeting
I am originally from Brownsville, Texas, and moved to San Antonio 5 years ago. I have been at A&M-SA since December 2018 with the Office of First-Year Experience. My original career goal was to become a psychiatrist, but through my undergraduate experiences, I fell in love with working in higher education and I have been on a mission to support students in their own undergraduate journeys ever since. I am excited to serve on Staff Council to be able to support and be an advocate for my fellow A&M-SA colleagues.
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Representatives
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Cynthia Alejos
Business Administrator I, College of Arts and Sciences
Returning Member (Class of 2024)
Committee(s): Appreciation/Recognition
I began working at Texas A&M University-San Antonio in July 2020, although my campus life started in August 2016 as a transfer student. I’m a proud graduate of the Class of 2018. I’ve worked in higher education since 2002, primarily on the student affairs side of the University. These last few years have allowed me to learn more about the academic side of higher education. As a Staff Council member, I hope to make our community more inviting and successful.
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Huda Eltayeb 
Coordinator of University Access, University Access
Returning Member (Class of 2024)
Committee(s): Marketing/Communications and Employee Spotlight
TAMUSA has been my home for over 4 years, it’s incredible to see how it has grown over the years and just to have the opportunity to be part of the growth is very rewarding. As a former student and now professional I excited to be sharing my ideas and using my skills to make Hhigher Ed a fun and memorable environment. I strive to inspire and motivate students into achieving their dreams and helping them understand that college is not impossible. I am excited to be part of Staff Council and help make TAMUSA a better place for not only me but those around me.
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Aaron Guerrero 
Civic Engagement Coordinator, Mays Center for Experiential Learning & Community Engagement
Returning Member (Class of 2024)
Committee(s): Social & Community Service
Hi, I joined Texas A&M-SA in January 2021 after spending 12 in the Museum field in a few museums including the Children’s Museum of Houston, the Witte Museum, and the Thinkery in Austin. While working in Higher Education is new to me, promoting volunteerism and community & civic engagement is not. I love what I get to do and am deeply invested in engaging with our students and proving our Jaguar family opportunities to gain volunteer experience, give back to their community, and have their voices heard by voting.
I am excited to be a part of Staff Council to be more involved and to meet more of our campus community - my top Clifton strength is WOO (Winning Others Over). Paws Up!
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Clarissa Tejeda
Director, Employer Relations and Community Outreach, Mays Center for Experiential Learning & Community Engagement
Returning Member (Class of 2024)
Committee(s): Communications/Marketing
I have been a part of the A&M-SA team since February 2014. During my time here, I have had the honor to help support the growth of the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement in various roles. I also am one of the campus’ certified CliftonStrengths Coaches so if you ever want to talk strengths just say the word! My top 5 are Individualization, Empathy, Developer, Harmony, and Connectedness. I am excited to serve on staff council as a means of advocating for staff resources and success so here is to a great year!
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Juan Espinoza
Assistant Director, Transfer Student Engagement, Cisneros Institute
Incoming Member (Class of 2025)
Committee(s):
I have been with the university since March 2016 and this is my first and only HigherEd home! I've enjoyed my time here at A&M-San Antonio, so much so that I want to make sure I take the opportunity to positively impact all other staff who choose A&M-SA as their home.
My top 5 CliftonStrengths are: Communication, Individualization, Strategic, Achiever, and WOO! I'd be more than happy to unpack your top 5 strengths anytime, email me for an appointment. My role in the Cisneros Institute is to onboard, orient, and engage our Transfer Student Demographic - so more often that not, you'll see me around campus putting on an event: Don't forget to stop and say Hi!
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Joni Foster
Executive Assistant to the Provost, Academic Affairs
Incoming Member (Class of 2025)
Committee(s):
I am proud to be an A&M-SA Jaguar and a founding staff member. My journey in higher education began at Texas A&M University-Kingsville System Center-San Antonio (TAMUK-SCSA), located at the Palo Alto College (PAC) campus. This year marked my 20th year of service to the University. I was honored to serve on the inaugural staff council and again in 2015. I am thankful for another opportunity, and I will continue to do my very best to be a voice for the staff of this awesome university!
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Melissa Gamez-Herrera
Library Associate II
Incoming Member (Class of 2025)
Committee(s):
"Hello! My name is Melissa Gamez Herrera and I have been working at TAMU-SA since 2022. I work in the University Library where I purchase and make books and other resources available to our wonderful students, faculty, staff and the community. I enjoy what I do and am excited to be a part of Staff Council to be able to make this campus a better place for our staff."
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Abel Morales
Financial Analyst III
Incoming Member (Class of 2025)
Committee(s):
¿¡Que pasa Mufasas!? I am originally from Harlingen, Texas and began my career in higher education with A&M system back in 2013. I moved to San Antonio and joined the Jaguar family 2 ½ years ago as part of the Budget Office. My undergraduate career originally had my career sights on certified financial planning, but I found my niche in higher education when I interned with the budget office. Being able to see how the Budget Office strategically plans and prepares the fiscal budget for the University’s mission and vision truly gauged and challenged me to help provide all students an opportunity to achieve their goals while attending college. I am proud to be nominated by my peers and I look forward to serving with everyone on Staff Council. Go Jags Go!
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Daniel Rendon
Deputy Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services
Incoming Member (Class of 2025)
Committee(s):
I have been a part of A&M-SA for nearly 12 years, starting as a student in 2012 to now, the deputy chief information officer in IT and adjunct faculty member in the College of Business. A&M-San Antonio is where I started my career in higher education, first, as an academic advisor, then a school certifying official in Military Affairs, and currently in the Information Technology Services department. As a veteran and educator, I am honored and humbled to be able to assist the university and its students in an impactful role. As a kid of the southside of San Antonio like many of our students, I see the enormous impact the university has in the community and its future generations. I am excited to be part of the Staff Council and look forward to serving the university in this capacity.
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Dr. Reba Sims
Director, Student Housing
Incoming Member (Class of 2025)
Committee(s):
I joined the A&M-SA team November 2019 as the Coordinator for Family Engagement after over 11 years years working in housing and residence life. In May 2023, I returned to my first love taking on the role of the inaugural Director of Student Housing. During my time on the team, I have spearheaded and collaborated on initiatives to better serve families, students, and in particular parenting students. I serve on the team of certified Clifton Strengths coaches and have enjoyed working with students, staff, and community entities in this realm. I believe in lifelong learning, so I am a part of the third cohort for Leadership Academy as well. I work diligently behind the scenes to ensure that the show goes on without a hitch.
I love the work that I do and get to be a part of on a day-to-day basis. I am excited to serve on Staff Council to elevate the staff perspective while not forgetting the university’s mission. I’m excited for an awesome year of problem solving, recognition, and good times! Paws Up Jags!
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Jennifer Valdez
Human Resources Generalist I
Incoming Member (Class of 2025)
Committee(s): Social & Community Services and All Staff Committee
I have been a part of TAMUSA since 2018. Started out as a student, graduated in 2021 and currently an employee for Human Resources. I am grateful for the experience and opportunities provided by the campus as the have shaped me to be the person I am today. I am excited to have become a member of Staff Council because I believe providing resources to our employees and students can help our campus grow.
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