Meet The Team
Kevin Guerrieri
Professor, Department of Languages, Cultures and Literatures
Faculty Liaison, Mulvaney Center
ILVI Faculty Co-DirectorKevin Guerrieri, PhD, joined the USD faculty in 2002. He teaches courses on Latin American literature and culture as well as the Spanish language. Kevin's teaching and research involve interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches, and his courses integrate community engagement and collaboration with community partners. In addition to literary and cultural analysis, his interests include human rights, social justice education, and critical pedagogy, and his recent publications include the co-edited volume Human Rights in Colombian Literature and Cultural Production: Embodied Enactments (2022). He serves as a faculty liaison for the Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness, and Social Action. He was an ILVI participant in 2014 and became Co-Director in 2016.
Blake Hofstad
Parent Organizing Director
Parent Voices CA
ILVI Community Co-Director
Blake Hofstad is the Parent Organizing Director at Parent Voices CA, a statewide child care advocacy organization. In October of 2017, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Linda Vista Town Council, where he served as Vice President. Blake graduated from the University of San Diego in 2015 with degrees in Spanish and International Relations and received a certificate in Early Childhood Transdisciplinary Education and Mental Health from San Diego State in 2017. He joined ILVI in the summer of 2018 as Community Co-Director.
Fernanda Walters
Undergraduate Student, Knauss School of Business, USD
Finance, Law Justice & Society
ILVI Community Fellow
Fernanda Walters is a student at the University of San Diego pursuing a degree in Finance with a minor in Law, Justice and Society. With an expected graduation date of 2026, she is actively involved in leadership and community service through the College Corps Fellowship Program. Her interests span business, civic engagement, with an emphasis in equity and social impact work. As an ILVI community fellow, she is actively doing work by participating in projects that enhance cultural heritage protection and foster civic engagement.
Laura Morales
Undergraduate Student, SOLES, USD
Liberal Studies
ILVI Community Fellow
Laura Morales is a student at the University of San Diego expected to graduate in 2027. She is pursuing a degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Psychology. She is actively involved in leadership and community service through the College Corps Fellowship program. Collaborating with various community partners, her interests include education and civic engagement. She is actively participating in projects and ongoing work as an ILVI community fellow.
Faculty Members
Susie Babka, PhD
Associate Professor, Theology and Religious Studies
Ellis Bell, PhD
Lecturer II, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Melissa James
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Juliana Maxim, PhD
Professor, Architecture and Art History
Laura Rivard, PhD
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Biology
Mary Sue Lowery, PhD
Chair and Professor, Biology
Jennifer Tillman
Assistant Professor, Philosophy
Necla Tschirgi, PhD
Distinguished Professor, Human Security and Peacebuilding
Carlton O'Neal, JD
Clinical Professor of Marketing
Rebekah Wanic, PhD
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Psychological Sciences
Community Partners
Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center
El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association
Friends of Friendship Park
Kearny High Educational Complex -School of Biomedical Science and Technology (BST)
Linda Vista STEAM Magnet Elementary
Linda Vista United Methodist Church
Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market
Mid City CAN -Community
Advocacy Network
San Diego ACCE(Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment)
San Diego Rescue Mission
Oak Oncology and Kids
Pan Y Paz Collective San Diego
Via International
Youthwill
YMCA Pryde Program
Sponsors & Collaborators
Thank you to our sponsors and collaborators!
The Changemaker Hub fosters a university-wide ecosystem that strengthens the collective capacity of our students, faculty, staff and community partners to address humanity’s most urgent challenges through meaningful, sustainable, and innovative collaborations in order to advance USD’s mission. The Ashoka U designation of USD as a Changemaker Campus recognizes the university’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.
The Mulvaney Center celebrates the individuality and uniqueness of each student and recognizes the wisdom held by the local and global communities it joins. Through reciprocal community-based learning, the Mulvaney Center engages USD students, faculty, staff, and alumni to learn and act in partnership with the community, making life-long commitments to promote social change and justice.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Sponsored a grant that seeks to strengthen the Linda Vista community through co-development of innovative social initiatives by USD students and Linda Vista residents, where research, learning, and service are integral components. This community-collaborative learning program directly impacts Linda Vista residents while building a committed student body prepared to make change in very personal and effective ways.
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