Tanika Gardner
Director
Cell phone: 909-537-4376
Email: Tanika.gardner@csusb.edu
I am Tanika Gardner, Director of the Educational Talent Search Program at CSUSB. I have worked with students in the area of education since 2002. I completed a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in Marketing and then went on to earn my MBA one year later. As a first-generation graduate myself, I know the challenges of support and guidance throughout secondary education. I am eager to help bridge the gap for underrepresented youth in our communities and provide them with the tools to take control of their destiny now.
Cherica Bell
Assistant Director
Cell phone: 909-537-4377
Email: CBell-Silvera@csusb.edu
I am Cherica Silvera, Assistant Director for ETS. I participated in Educational Talent Search when I was in high school so this is my chance to inspire students and introduce students to opportunities beyond high school, like someone once did for me. I went on to college, and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from CSUSB in 2012, and later earned my Master’s Degree from California Baptist University in 2019. My passions are mentoring youth, developing students personally and academically, and helping students go to college. My hope is that, regardless of their circumstance, students will see that possibilities are endless and life has no limits. This is only the beginning!
I am Fatim Dembele, Program Manager of the Educational Talent Search Program at CSUSB. I graduated from York University in Toronto, Canada, with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and a minor in Sociology. I was born and raised in West Africa ( Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast) and moved to California in 2019. One of my greatest passions is traveling, which allows me to broaden my horizons and immerse myself in diverse cultures. As a program coordinator, I aim to create a supportive and empowering environment that enables our students to thrive academically, socially, and personally.
Catherine Sanchez
RUSD Academic Advisor
Cell Phone: 909-846-0774
Hi, I am Catherine Sanchez the program manager for the Rialto School District’s middle schools. I received my Bachelor of Arts from Cal State University Long Beach in Psychology, a minor in Human Development, and a certificate in Healthcare Administration. Currently, I am pursuing a Master’s of Arts in Higher Education Student Affairs at Grand Canyon University. As a first-generation Filipina American, I understand the challenges that students face when navigating their educational journey and I am more than happy to help my students reach their personal and academic goals.
Lupe Garcia Boudreaux
CJUSD Educational Counselor
Cell Phone: 909-601-2209
Email: guadalupe.garcia@csusb.edu
Hello! I’m Lupe Garcia Boudreaux, and I have the privilege of working as the Educational Counselor for Colton High Schools. Looking back on my own educational journey, one of my proudest moments was graduating with my bachelor's in Liberal Studies and a minor in Psychology alongside my older sister. It was such a meaningful experience for both of us to be the first in our family to attend and graduate from college. After that, I continued my studies and earned a master's in Professional Counseling PPS/LPCC, both with degrees from CSUSB. Go Yotes! As a Latina and first-generation college student, the support I received from my family, my culture, and the opportunities that came my way meant everything. There were challenges along the way, especially when it came to mental health, but I learned how vital it is to take care of ourselves in all aspects of life—academic and personal—in order to truly thrive. Today, I’m grateful to be in a role where I can offer support and guidance to others, drawing from my own experiences. It’s rewarding to give back to the community that lifted me up and help students find their way, whether that’s with their education or their well-being. There’s a lot of potential to be unlocked, and I believe in the power of support and encouragement to help students achieve their dreams.
Francisco Sotelo
SBCUSD Educational Counselor
Cell Phone: 909- 846-0756
Email: francisco.sotelo@csusb.edu
Hello, I am Francisco Sotelo and I am the Educational Counselor for the San Bernardino City Unified School District. I was born in Mexico and spoke Spanish only when I first came to the United States, which made my journey through the education system a little harder, but I knew that it would all pay off at the end. I was able to work through different obstacles to get my higher education and am now working to help others that are in similar situations. I want students to understand that they are capable of doing more than what they believe and that they all have the same potential as everyone else to achieve their goals. I have found that my path through the education system, not just as a student but also as a tutor and teacher, have given me the opportunity to see and help students from diverse backgrounds. My goal is to continue doing my best to better the odds for the students.