Contact Us
Christina Torres García, PhD
Director, Ronald E. McNair Scholar Program107 MonroePhone: 509.359.2471Fax: 509.359.2420Email: cgarcia1@ewu.eduDr. Torres García earned her Ph.D. in Cultural Studies and Social Thought from Washington State University. Currently, she is the Director of the TRiO Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program and has taught in the fields of Chicano Studies, Sociology, Women's and Gender Studies at Eastern Washington University and Chicano Studies at Yakima Valley Community College.
Her research interests and studies focus on historical, social, and political issues affecting Chicanas/Latinas in the Pacific Northwest. Her interest in illustrating the dynamic modus operandi of the intersections of systematic layers of oppression has resulted in reclaiming the voices of Chicanas and Latinas whose life stories enrich academia today. As a Chicana from Mexican farm working background and first-generation college student, Dr. Torres García's life dedication is to raise critical consciousness among students by unveiling social inequalities and empowering marginalized groups to become agents of positive change and engage them in civic responsibilities.
Apart from running the Ronald E. McNair Program, Dr. Torres García is working on a textbook manuscript for a Chicano Studies course.
Cynthia Dukich, MFA
Counselor/Academic Coordinator107 MonroePhone: 509.359.6523Fax: 509.359.2420Email: cdukich@ewu.eduCynthia Dukich is dedicated to living the positive change she hopes to see in the world. Seeking to use her experience to inspire and support others as they gain the vision and education needed to realize their dreams, she strives to facilitate experiences for scholars that enhance academic growth as they create a rigorous, but supportive and welcoming community of scholars. She first began part-time work with Eastern's TRiO Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program fourteen years ago, and since that time has been committed to the TRiO McNair mission of providing opportunities that prepare McNair participants for success at the doctoral level. She started as the full-time Counselor/Academic Coordinator in 2004.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College in Asian Studies: Chinese Language and Culture and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Eastern Washington University in creative writing with a secondary emphasis in literary editing. A former California State Park docent, Cynthia has also worked as a proofreader, a freelance editor, a ski instructor and art teacher. Ever exploring her relationship to people, places and cultures, she has travelled to China, Egypt, Southeast Asia, Europe, and most of the National Parks of the western U.S. She lives in Cheney, Washington with her husband, son and ill-mannered Quaker parrot named Dudley Do-Right.
Stephen Yoder II, MA, EdS
Academic CounselorStephen Yoder holds an MA in Anthropology, an EdS in Adult Education, and is in the throes of completing his PhD at Washington State University in Cultural Studies and Social Thought through the College of Education. An archaeologist by training, he spent a number of years working in the field and laboratory setting before he began teaching and advising at the University of Idaho. He has taught a number of interdisciplinary courses including: Sports and American Society, Sex and Culture: Men and Women in the 21st Century, and The New Wild West. Currently, he teaches Cultural Anthropology at Spokane Falls Community College in Pullman, Washington. He has also worked as an Academic Success Advisor at the University of Idaho, primarily with first-generation and Pell Grant eligible students, with the intent of providing tools and resources to ensure academic success.
His research interests include: Place-Based Education and a Critical Pedagogy, the First-Year Experience (in a college classroom and on campus), and the importance of academic advising as it relates to academic success.
He lives in picturesque Liberty Lake, Washington with his beautiful wife and daughter and two dogs, one dedicated rule follower and a big blind Newfoundland.
Yolanda Valencia
Peer MentorYolanda Valencia is an EWU McNair scholar alumnus who earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Finances and Management Information Systems from Eastern Washington University in 2002. After graduation, she had the opportunity to become a Bilingual Workers Compensation Adjudicator for the Department of Labor and Industries, where she worked from 2003 to 2011. Currently, as a McNair Scholar Peer Mentor, she assists and supports McNair scholars in their journey to becoming exceptional PhD candidates and successfully applying to and completing doctoral programs. Yolanda has been accepted into the University of Washington's graduate program in geography and will begin the pursuit of her own doctoral degree in fall 2012. Her personal, academic, and professional experiences have shaped her current research interest and passion for the study of social injustice, gender inequalities, and poverty, with a special interest on Latino immigrants.
Christina Wiese
TRiO McNair Graduate Assistant107 MonroePhone: 509.359.2465Fax: 509.359.2420Email: mcnair@ewu.eduChristina Wiese earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Whitworth University in 2011 and is a current graduate student at Eastern Washington University, studying to earn an Educational Specialist degree in school psychology. Her hope is to work with children with learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and social and emotional difficulties in rural or low income school settings.
As the graduate assistant for the TRiO McNair Scholar Program, Christina assists McNair participants in successfully securing admission and financial assistance in graduate programs.
Resa Stephanson
Public RelationsResa Stephanson is a current student at Eastern Washington University working towards her Bachelors of Arts degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Public Relations. She is also pursuing her leadership certificate and applying to graduate programs for next fall. Resa's hope is to share her knowledge with the McNair scholars as she helps students gain information about the services provided through the TRIO McNair Scholar Program, empowering them into a positive direction.
As the Public Relations assistant for the TRiO McNair Scholar Program, Resa informs Eastern students, faculty and staff, as well as the surrounding community about the TRiO McNair Scholar Program. She prepares informational and recruitment materials, using the web, Facebook, and other media outlets. She also maintains contact with TRiO McNair alumni through the web and other social media sites to track participants' progress to success.
Jereny Mendoza
Public Relations AssistantJereny Mendoza is from the Tri-Cities area in Washington. She is currently a junior at Eastern Washington University working on her Bachelor's Degree and contemplating the idea of pursuing graduate studies. Jereny is very interested in studying government and philosophy. She enjoys doing research on various topics, but loves doing research on controversial topics within the Chicano Community.
Jereny is a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Incorporated Mu Delta Chapter at Eastern Washington University. She currently holds four positions: Vice President of Chapter Operations, Sergeant of Arms Chair, Scholarship Chair and Recruitment Chair. This year Sigma Lambda Gamma has been highly motivated to do more community service. A recent project included assisting the local P.e.a.c.h community farm in Cheney, which needed volunteers to help their cause in providing locally produced, high quality food for low-income neighborhoods.
She very excited about this year and hopes it is a great year for everyone!
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