Jessica Lavariega Monforti is a Vice Provost at California State University, Channel Islands who supports the academic endeavors and development of faculty, students, and staff, and our institution. Dr. Lavariega Monforti believes that education can empower students and help them and others acknowledge their potential. Dr. Lavariega Monforti has landed nearly $10M in major grant funding, published 3 books and over 50 articles and book chapters, and contributed to several news articles and broadcasts including the New York Times, La Opinión, and NPR’s All Things Considered. Dr. Lavariega Monforti is an award-winning teacher, leader, and scholar, having received the MPSA Latino Caucus Distinguished Career Award, UT Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, Adaljiza Sosa-Riddell Award for Exemplary Mentoring of Latino/a Undergraduate Students in Political Science, various best research paper awards from major political science associations, as well as institutional leadership awards. She is a Ford Fellow, the founder and co-organizer of the biennial, national Women of Color in Political Science Workshop, and past president of the Western Political Science Association. Dr. Lavariega Monforti holds a PhD in Political Science from The Ohio State University, and is am alumna of the HERS Institute and Berkeley's Executive Leadership Academy.