BADI BRIGOLIN
Milagro Middle School
Badi was born in south Italy and grew up in Croatia. He earned a Master’s degree in environmental science from the University of Plymouth (Southwest England). After his studies, he dedicated some time to volunteering and gained experience in the field of social work. In 2015, he moved to Santa Fe with his wife and began working for a program focused on assisting at-risk youth and youth involved in the juvenile justice system develop skills to enter the workforce or continue their education. Prior to joining Communities in Schools of New Mexico, Badi was involved in a program aimed at helping house hundreds of youths experiencing homelessness in Northern New Mexico, while providing them with the support and encouragement necessary to stand on their own.
JASMIN CASTILLO
Capital High School
Jasmin was born in Cuahutemoc, Chihuahua and raised in Santa Fe,NM. She graduated from Capital High in 2015. Jasmin has a background in Early Childhood and social work, and worked at the Youth Emergency Shelters as a Case Manager. Throughout the years, Jasmin has seen the challenges youth are facing, and how difficult it has become for them to stay motivated and graduate. Jasmin is passionate about providing support for youth so they can achieve their goals and be successful.
ALICIA DEL AGUILA
Ramirez Thomas Elementary School
Born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Alicia pursued her dream to attend college by participating in academic programs such as Breakthrough Santa Fe and AVID. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Kinesiology with a focus in Physical Therapy and a minor in Spanish. Coming from a Hispanic family, Alicia has always been aware of the challenges students like her face in order to graduate from high school and move on to higher education. Alicia returned to Santa Fe with the intention of helping students with similar backgrounds to pursue their educational goals.
YESSENIA DOMINGUEZ
Nina Otero Community School
Yessenia was born and raised in the area surrounding Española, NM, and she graduated from Española Valley High School. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking household filled with love and culture shaped her upbringing. She attended New Mexico Highlands University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. After graduating, Yessenia worked as a behavioral technician with children with autism and participated in a mentorship non-profit organization for youth in Rio Arriba. As a teenager, she recognized the needs of her and her peers, as well as the lack of safe spaces. This experience motivated Yessenia to provide a supportive environment for students facing challenging situations.
MERRY FARRIER-BABANOVSKI
Gonzales Community School
Merry was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is passionate about supporting public schools in her home state. She attended college in Phoenix, Arizona, and then completed her Master’s degree in Educational Policy Studies in Madison, Wisconsin. She loves connecting with students and families to build supportive relationships and a community of support through their educational journeys.
MARIA GONZALES
Capital High School
Maria was born and raised in Santa Fe and graduated from Santa Fe High School. She attended college in Durango, Colorado where she received her B.A. in Spanish and her teaching degree and taught Spanish at Durango High School for 19 years. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in TESOL through Concordia University and moved back to Santa Fe in 2019. Maria comes from a family of respected educators who truly enjoy working with youth. She looks forward to continuing this tradition in her work with Communities In Schools.
FLOR LUJAN
Cesar Chavez Elementary School
Originally from Mexico, Flor immigrated to Santa Fe with her husband and three children some years ago. As Flor supported her family and children as they all embraced a new culture, she also got certified to offer professional support for people with disabilities, which gave her an opportunity to get to know amazing people here in Santa Fe. Through this work, she learned about the opportunity to study thanotology, the study of loss and supporting people through loss, and is now in the process of getting certified as a thanotologist. She is excited to put her studies and experience to use as a Site Coordinator, creating a safe space for students and connecting them to resources in our community.
BECCA HULICK
Chaparral Elementary School
Born in California and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Becca attended Penn State University for undergrad. She went on to pursue her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Manhattan College. She has a strong commitment to bringing mental health awareness to the workplace and providing an education to students and their families about mental health. She believes her position at CIS will give her the opportunity to do that as well as provide resources for the school community!
SKYE MADSEN
Aspen Community School
Skye spent nearly a decade teaching middle school English and History in Española and Santa Fe, and did a one-year Fulbright grant to teach English in Sarawak, Malaysia. She moved to Northern New Mexico to be with her spouse after graduating from Coe College with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and French. In her time teaching, Skye helped young people to think critically about the world, their role within it, and the power they have to create a brighter collective future. Working with Communities in Schools represents a continuation of her desire to help empower young people to live safe, fulfilling and joyous lives.
NURIA OLIVAS
Multi School Support
Nuria holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from New Mexico Highlands University and a background in early childhood education. Raised in Santa Fe and proud of her Mexican roots, she is a first-generation college graduate dedicated to serving her community. Her passion lies in making even the smallest positive impact in a child’s life and creating environments where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to.
REBECCA ORNELAS
El Camino Real Academy (6TH-8TH)
Rebecca Ornelas is a wife and mother from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is fluent in Spanish and is passionate about her language and culture. This multicultural heritage has instilled in her a deep appreciation for diversity and a commitment to servings others. Rebecca has a background in Early Childhood and Community Healthcare. She strives to make a positive impact in her community and empower and uplift the children and families with whom she comes into contact.
BLANCA ORTIZ
Nava Elementary School
Blanca was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico and graduated from Earlham College with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science. Being raised on the South Side of Santa Fe, Blanca is no stranger to the hardships that many families navigate in their day to day lives. These challenges have inspired her to be a present and active member of her community, with hopes of bridging the socioeconomic gap through educational resources.
KARINA PEÑA
Nina Otero Community School
Karina was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. With the support of programs such as Breakthrough Santa Fe and the Davis New Mexico Scholarship, she graduated from the University of Portland with her B.A. in Psychology. Karina is passionate about helping students and giving back to the community. She has experience working with students from many different backgrounds and strives to continue to help bridge gaps and provide a supportive, empowering, safe space for students.
NAOMI PEÑA
Sweeney Middle School
Naomi was born and raised in Santa Fe, NM. Growing up she relied heavily on programs such as Breakthrough, Simon’s Scholars, AVID, and more to encourage her to stay in school. Through their support she was able to graduate from Beloit College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Critical Identity Studies (CRIS) and Spanish. Now, she is excited to return to Santa Fe schools as a Student Success Facilitator to pay forward the kindness her community has extended to her. Through this position she hopes to create meaningful connections and grow as a professional.
ERIKA REYES GONZALEZ
Capital High School
Erika was born in Zacatecas, Mexico and raised in Santa Fe. She graduated from Capital High School in 2003. With the support of programs such as Engaging Latino Communities for Education and Aspire to Success, she is proud to be a first generation college graduate. In 2014, she received her Bachelor’s of Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University and completed her Master’s in Social Work in July, 2020. Erika is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). She was raised in a low-income immigrant household and understands the challenges that many students and their families undergo every day. Erika “pays it forward” by helping students achieve their academic goals and by motivating them to aspire towards higher education.
KENNEDY SIEGMAN, MSW
Del Norte High School
Kennedy has worked with Youth Shelters since 2020 in various capacities. She started as an intern and eventually was hired on as the Program Manager of the Rapid Rehousing Program. In conjunction with her time at Youth Shelters, she completed an internship at Gerard’s House for her MSW program
THOMAS “SINTE” TORREZ
Capital High School
Sinte Torrez is a proud Mestizo artist of Mexican, French, Iroquois and Mohican descent. He was born and raised in Wisconsin and has called Santa Fe home since 2006. Sinte studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in New Media Arts & Film in 2013. Sinte has over 23 years of experience working with youth in various programs from Juvenile Corrections to Emergency Shelters and After School Programming. Sinte has been a Site Coordinator with Communities In Schools of New Mexico since 2014.
CRYSTAL TRUJILLO
Ortiz Middle School
Crystal is a dedicated social worker and advocate grounded in the values of community, service, and resilience. Raised in a small community in northern New Mexico, Crystal’s personal experiences inspired her lifelong commitment to giving back. She earned her Master of Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University and now works to serve and uplift the very community that helped shape her.
Crystal holds a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credential and brings a compassionate, culturally responsive approach to her practice. She is especially passionate about working with youth, believing in the importance of early intervention, mentorship, and creating safe, empowering spaces where young people can thrive. Her work focuses on strengthening families, supporting mental and emotional wellness, and building sustainable pathways to hope and healing.
JENNIFER ZAMMIT
Salazar Elementary School
Jennifer was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has lived in Santa Fe since 2017. Jennifer completed her Bachelor’s in Communication at the University of New Mexico and her Master’s in Social Work at New Mexico Highlands University. As a licensed social worker, Jennifer worked in various schools in Santa Fe as a therapist for one year as well as completed both of her internships throughout the Santa Fe Public Schools. Jennifer is passionate about communication, holding space for others, and serving the community she loves.