2021-2022 Editors
Yoselin De leon-lazo
Yoselin De Leon-Lazo is going into her fourth year here at CSUN. She is double majoring in Early Childhood and Adolescent Development and Central American and Transborder Studies, along with a minor in Family Studies. Upon graduation, Yoselin plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. With which she hopes to provide mental health services to migrant youth and all adults experiencing trauma.
Kelsey Valdez
Kelsey Valdez is a fourth-year student at CSUN, majoring in Liberal Studies. She is currently pursuing a career as an elementary school teacher and actively works in programs that help educate children and adolescents. Her passion for ethnic studies also activates her desire of increasing the BIPOC education workforce.
Kirsten Cintigo
Kirsten is a third-year undergraduate student at CSUN where she is majoring in Journalism and minoring in Central American and Transborder Studies. In addition to her work at La Ceiba, she is the El Salvador News Curator for Central American News and a Communications Assistant for the NIH-funded research program BUILD PODER. Born and raised in Los Angeles to Salvadoran parents, she hopes to one day report on the Central American community.
Natalie Castillo
Natalie is in her 4th year at CSUN, double majoring in Central American and Transborder Studies and Biology. She is a new member of the La Ceiba editing team and hopes to continue into her final year. She is a Presidential Scholar, which has allowed her to work on her research project studying the invasive Brown Widow. With this, she plans on pursuing a Ph.D. to continue a career in entomological research.
2020-2021 Editors
Anner Salvador
Anner Salvador was born and raised in El Salvador. They will be graduating this Spring 2021 with a B.A in Central American and Transborder Studies and a Minor in Child and Adolescent Development. For Anner, working at La Ceiba means creating communities that empower each other, and work together to create beautiful outcomes. Anner also works at an elementary school and works to empower migrant children who have just arrived in the U.S, as well as children with disabilities. In the future, they would like to work towards empowering the growing Central American community here in the U.S and in the motherland.
Yoselin De Leon-Lazo
Yoselin De Leon-Lazo is a second year at CSUN. She is majoring in Early Childhood and Adolescent Development with a double major in Central American Studies along with a minor in Family Studies. She has been working for La Ceiba since her freshman year in college and hopes to work as an editor until her graduation day. Her goals consist of pursuing higher education and receiving her master's and Ph.D. in Childhood Development with a focus on migrant children and trauma. She hopes to one day begin her own non-profit organizations like those in her community such as SALEF, CARECEN, and Clinica Romero.
Yoselin is also a part of TECUS (Trans-border Experiences of Central American Students) in the Central American Transborder Studies department where she gets to collaborate and have meaningful discussions with fellow peers and friends. In her downtime, she enjoys watching films, starting but never finishing new series on Netflix, and reading.
Yoselin is also a part of TECUS (Trans-border Experiences of Central American Students) in the Central American Transborder Studies department where she gets to collaborate and have meaningful discussions with fellow peers and friends. In her downtime, she enjoys watching films, starting but never finishing new series on Netflix, and reading.
Kelsey Valdez
Kelsey Valdez, born and raised in Los Angeles, is a continuing student at CSUN. She is a Liberal Studies major currently pursuing a career as an elementary school teacher and actively works in programs that help educate children and adolescents. Working at La Ceiba has grown her appreciation for her Central American roots and inspired her passion to provide visibility on issues affecting Central American communities today.
Kirsten Cintigo
Kirsten Cintigo, born and raised in Los Angeles, is currently majoring in Journalism and pursuing a minor in Central American and Transborder Studies at Cal State University, Northridge. By being a part of La Ceiba, Kirsten can pursue her journalistic goal of amplifying Central American voices and experiences. Nonetheless, it allows her to become more connected with the Central American community as her family is from El Salvador.
Gabriela Perez
2019 - 2020 Editors
Jennyfer A. Rodriguez
Jennyfer A. Rodriguez was born and raised in Guatemala. She will be graduating this Spring 2020 with a B.A. in Central American and Transborder Studies and a Minor in Spanish Linguistics. For her, working as an editor at La Ceiba means celebrating the vast cultural and creative diversity of the Central American students, their creative work and their research.
Jennyfer’s commitment to transborder solidarity led her to co-found a grassroots community collective of diverse Guatemalan women, GuateMaya L.A. Mujeres en Resistencia. Jennyfer works in collaboration with other Central American activists and organizers, and allies to form social-justice oriented coalitions that bring theory and praxis together.
When Jennyfer is not indulging in writing or reading, she enjoys calling her abuelita in Guatemala or taking care of her plants as a form of therapy.
Jennyfer’s commitment to transborder solidarity led her to co-found a grassroots community collective of diverse Guatemalan women, GuateMaya L.A. Mujeres en Resistencia. Jennyfer works in collaboration with other Central American activists and organizers, and allies to form social-justice oriented coalitions that bring theory and praxis together.
When Jennyfer is not indulging in writing or reading, she enjoys calling her abuelita in Guatemala or taking care of her plants as a form of therapy.
Yoselin De Leon-Lazo
Yoselin De Leon-Lazo was born and raised in Echo Park, California. She is currently enrolled at CSUN as an Early Childhood and Adolescent Development and Central American Studies major. Her passion for learning about her culture and history stems from classes she began to take at SALEF in High School. Being the daughter of Salvadoran and Guatemalan immigrants, Yoselin is inspired by the stories of migrants and one day hopes to become a psychologist for immigrant youth.When she is not working at La Ceiba, she enjoys the time she spends with her family and reading whatever books she can get her hands on
Amanda Tzoc Rodriguez
Amanda Tzoc Rodriguez was born in Los Angeles and raised in San Gabriel, California. She is a Spring 2020 graduate from California State University, Northridge majoring in Central American Studies and Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations. She aspires to help her Central American community working with organizations as a Public Relations specialist. She took interest in learning more about her culture through her first Central American Studies course as a freshman and went on to majoring in it wanting to learn more and a way to help her community thrive. Being an editor for La Ceiba has allowed her to share her peers' voices and research about Central America to the public and gave her insight on the importance of highlighting Central American identities. In her free time, she likes to hangout with friends, play her Nintendo Switch, and go to concerts.
Kelvin Villalta
Born in Tarzana, California, Kelvin Villalta is of Guatemalan and Salvadoran descent. He will be graduating spring 2020 with a B. A. in Central American Studies and Creative Writing. Kelvin has been with La Ceiba since 2017. Beginning with a passion to learn as a volunteer, Kelvin's devotion to the journal led him to become an editor. As an editor of La Ceiba handling, the various works of his contemporaries has been a privilege and an honor.
With publications in Bien Acompañada Press and C.A.P.T.U.R.E.D Multimedia Student Research Journal, Kelvin will continue his passion of writing. He has read his poetry for UNICA’s (Union Centroamericana) first and second annual Central American Counterspaces, GuateMaya’s La’s Jornadas de la memoria: Luis de Lion, CAUSA’s first and second annual (Central American Union Student Association) Indegeridoo: Indigenous Peoples Celebration, and the Department of Africana Studies’ Lifting Black Voices: A Spoken Word Journey with Rudy Francisco, and the Northridge Creative Writing Circle Poetry Reading and Open Mic. Kelvin has been on panels at California State University of Los Angeles for Encuentro 25 Years of Zapatismo and at California State University of Northridge for The Imaginaries of The Future.
Kelvin will continue his contribution to the Central American diaspora with his works of art and by continuing his education through graduate school in hopes to one day become a professor and author.
With publications in Bien Acompañada Press and C.A.P.T.U.R.E.D Multimedia Student Research Journal, Kelvin will continue his passion of writing. He has read his poetry for UNICA’s (Union Centroamericana) first and second annual Central American Counterspaces, GuateMaya’s La’s Jornadas de la memoria: Luis de Lion, CAUSA’s first and second annual (Central American Union Student Association) Indegeridoo: Indigenous Peoples Celebration, and the Department of Africana Studies’ Lifting Black Voices: A Spoken Word Journey with Rudy Francisco, and the Northridge Creative Writing Circle Poetry Reading and Open Mic. Kelvin has been on panels at California State University of Los Angeles for Encuentro 25 Years of Zapatismo and at California State University of Northridge for The Imaginaries of The Future.
Kelvin will continue his contribution to the Central American diaspora with his works of art and by continuing his education through graduate school in hopes to one day become a professor and author.
2018 - 2019 Editors
Gorethy Soto
Gorethy Soto is a CSUN student majoring in Psychology and Central American Studies. She is an editor at La Ceiba, specializing in Central American research and history.
Kelvin Villalta
Kelvin Villalta is Central American and does editing at La Ceiba: The Undergraduate Journal of Central American Studies. Kelvin is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in English: Creative Writing and Central American Studies. He lives in Boyle Heights, California and he enjoys writing poetry, short stories, lyrics, and singing. His favorite bands are Mountain, Pink Floyd, Alux Nahual, Tool, Toxik, and Jason Becker. He also draws inspiration from Edgar Allen Poe, Aldus Huxley, Miguel Angel Asturias, and Miguel Angel Asturias.
2017 - 2018 Editors
Stacey Arévalo
Stacey Arévalo is a Guatemalan-American, bilingual journalist, pursuing a B.A. in journalism and Central American Studies with a minor in Spanish Language journalism.
When she’s not proofreading essays for La Ceiba, she is translating articles for CSUN’s Athletics department or for a family-owned community paper in Boyle Heights.
She also shoots, edits, designs, tweets and drinks lots of coffee. Her work has been featured with La Opinión, EGP News, New America Media, The Odyssey, The Sundial and The Roundup News.
When she’s not proofreading essays for La Ceiba, she is translating articles for CSUN’s Athletics department or for a family-owned community paper in Boyle Heights.
She also shoots, edits, designs, tweets and drinks lots of coffee. Her work has been featured with La Opinión, EGP News, New America Media, The Odyssey, The Sundial and The Roundup News.
Samantha Martin
Samantha Martin is an editor who works with undergraduate students to help publish original research for La Ceiba: The Undergraduate Journal of Central American Studies. Samantha is in her junior year at CSUN majoring in Central American Studies and minoring in Spanish Language and Culture.
She is inspired by immigrants who have made rigorous journeys to get through rough terrain and over the Mexican border. In her spare time, she loves to read books about the border.
Samantha is passionate about human experiences and speaking out for those who cannot speak out for themselves.
She is inspired by immigrants who have made rigorous journeys to get through rough terrain and over the Mexican border. In her spare time, she loves to read books about the border.
Samantha is passionate about human experiences and speaking out for those who cannot speak out for themselves.
Kelvin Villalta
Kelvin Villalta is Central American and is an editor at La Ceiba: The Undergraduate Journal of Central American Studies. Kelvin is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English creative writing and Central American studies.
He lives in Boyle Heights, California, and he enjoys singing and writing poetry, short stories, and lyrics. His favorite bands are Mountain, Pink Floyd, Alux Nahual, Tool, Toxik, and Jason Becker.
He also draws inspiration from Edgar Allen Poe, Aldus Huxley, and Miguel Angel Asturias.
He lives in Boyle Heights, California, and he enjoys singing and writing poetry, short stories, and lyrics. His favorite bands are Mountain, Pink Floyd, Alux Nahual, Tool, Toxik, and Jason Becker.
He also draws inspiration from Edgar Allen Poe, Aldus Huxley, and Miguel Angel Asturias.
Maria Macias
Maria Macias is a CSUN student majoring in English Subject Matter. She is an editor at La Ceiba, specializing in Central American research and history.
Creative Directors
Susana Marcelo
Susana Marcelo is a Salvadoran-born, Los Angeles-raised writer whose work resists the division between the realm of memory, experience, and language. Her work has been published in The Wandering Song: Central American Writing in the United States (TiaChucha, 2017), In-flight Literary Magazine, VQR, A National Journal of Literature and Discussion, and the Northridge Review. She is a lecturer at California State University, Northridge, and Los Angeles Valley College. She is also the creative director of La Ceiba: The Undergraduate Journal of Central American Studies where she has played an instrumental role in promoting creative expression among Central American students at CSUN.
Shahrazad Encinias
Shahrazad Encinias recently joined the Central American Studies Department as part-time faculty. The San Diego native joins the department from the Sonoran Desert where she spent the past few years teaching and reporting. Her passion for truth and justice has allowed her to report and explore all over Southern California, the U.S.-Mexico region, Delaware, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Social consciousness runs through her veins and is inculcated into her reporting and academia. She holds a dual M.A. in Journalism and Latin American Studies from the University of Arizona. In addition, she holds a B.A. in Central American Studies with a minor in Spanish Language Journalism from CSUN.