Our Leadership Team
Organizing, planning, spreading the word and raising funds since 2023
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Professor Juan Zuñiga Olea is a tenured faculty member in the Department of Mathematics at Oxnard College. He is a product of local schools (including Oxnard College and CSU Channel Islands). In 2019 he was named a Fellow of the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges. Juan is proud of his family’s Mixteco heritage and of the contributions his parents and several siblings made or make through their work in agricultural fields.
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Dr. Cindy Wyels is a Professor of Mathematics at CSU Channel Islands. She has received national recognition as a college mathematics educator and mentor. Her professional experiences include organizing research programs and transition to college summer programs targeting students from non-traditional backgrounds.
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Dr. J. Brooke Ernest is a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics at CSU Channel Islands. She has experience developing and facilitating programs to enhance student success. Her professional areas of expertise include developing curriculum emphasizing creativity and community in mathematics.
Introducing our Summer 2025 Staff!
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Camp Lead: Katia Nava ("Miss Kat")
I am a Latina and former migrant farmworker with a strong passion for STEM. I earned my degree in Chemistry from CSU Channel Islands and participated in several student support programs, including MESA, LSAMP, EOP, and Puente. My personal and academic journey inspired my commitment to supporting underrepresented students in STEM fields. For the past 10 years, I have worked in higher education as a coordinator for various initiatives across both public and private institutions, focusing on increasing access and success for students from historically marginalized backgrounds.
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Camp Director: Dr. Cindy Wyels
(Bio blurb may be found in Leadership Team section, above)
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STEM Teacher & Curriculum Lead:
(Bio blurb may be found in Leadership Team section, above)
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STEM Teacher & STEM Activity Lead: Professor Juan A. Zuñiga Olea
(Bio blurb may be found in Leadership Team section, above)
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STEM Teacher: Caylee Daniel
A passionate believer in helping students become their whole selves, Caylee Daniel has taught high school mathematics for almost a decade and has tutored students from middle school through college even longer.
She holds a Bachelors in Mathematics from Seattle Pacific University and is currently pursuing her Masters at CSU Channel Islands.
As a STEM Teacher with Aventura Math Camp this summer, Caylee plans to work with others to demonstrate that, given a different perspective, math can be a puzzle instead of a trap, and may even be fun!! -
STEM Teacher: Angel Ayala
Hi, I’m Angel Ayala, born and raised in Oxnard and deeply connected to this community. I took summer courses at Oxnard College, and I’m proud to have taught math at Pacifica High School and to continue coaching soccer at Del Sol High. I’m a first-generation college graduate with parents from Michoacán, Mexico. I earned my degree in Mathematics from CSU Northridge and a master’s in Education from UCLA. I’m committed to giving back by making math engaging and accessible for students in our community.
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Scholar/ Teaching Assistant: Carlos Acuña
My name is Carlos Acuna and I am a recent graduate of CSU Channel Islands with my B.S. in Biology. As an aspiring high school teacher, I look forward to inspiring future generations to have an appreciation for STEM. I have enjoyed working with a diverse range of students in the past, including at a local summer camp, college tutoring, and as a catechist aide.
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Scholar/ Teaching Assistant: Nathan Lopez
Hello everyone! My name is Nathan Lopez and I graduated from CSUCI in the Spring of 2025 with a bachelors in Chemistry and a minor in Education. Beginning in the Fall, I will start my journey to obtain my Single Subject Teaching Credential in Science where I hope to work in my hometown of Oxnard!
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Scholar/ Teaching Assistant: Matthew Ramos
Hello! My name is Matthew Ramos. I am a Mathematics major who graduated at CSUCI in Spring 2025. My goal is to become a High School Math Teacher.
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Intern: Hannah Swank
Hannah is a Marine Science Major attending Oxnard College and planning to transfer to Cal Poly SLO. She graduated from Oxnard High School in 2024 and plans to be a Marine Animal Trainer or something similar!