Our Officers

Hi! I’m Amy and I’m originally from Oakland, CA. I have a B.A. in Ethnomusicology from UC Davis, so I’ve always been interested in the ways culture, identity, and community. I joined REFORMA because I want to help create welcoming library spaces for Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities and connect with others who are passionate about this work. I’m especially interested in data librarianship, technology, and finding creative ways to bring my background in music into librarianship. Outside of school, I’m a mom, a musician, and I’m usually either singing, listening to music, or working on some new creative project with my daughter.

Hello! My name is Lizette Avina and I’m an MLIS student at SJSU, graduating in Spring 2027. I earned my B.A. in Psychology from Fresno State, and while my interests in information science are broad, I’m particularly interested in emerging technologies and how they are continuing to shape the field. I joined REFORMA because I believe in its mission and I think it’s important to create a welcoming space where students from similar backgrounds can connect, build community, and support one another. Outside of my studies, I enjoy baking, art, antiquing, and volunteering.

Hello! My name is Alyssa Masis, and I’m the Membership Coordinator/Blog Editor for the REFORMA team. I’m an MLIS student at San Jose State, and currently work as a Library Assistant for the UC Berkeley Library. I’m excited to help bring the Latino, librarian community together, and to meet new people.

Hello! My name is Catalina Venegas (she/her) and I am the Social Media & Marketing Liaison for REFORMA. I am an MLIS student at San Jose State University and I have a background in Mathematics, so I have always been interested in how emerging technologies within the library can help individuals connect with their communities. I joined REFORMA because I want to provide professional development resources for the Spanish-speaking community and help facilitate connections. Outside of academics, I enjoy crocheting, roller skating, and playing tennis.

Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran (she/her/ella) is an accomplished educator, innovative speaker, entrepreneur, cultural intelligence, and diversity & inclusion expert with over 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors. As an associate professor at San José State University School of Information, Villagran’s research focuses on diversity and social justice in library and information science and cultural intelligence phenomena within libraries.

Dr. Villagran earned her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with her dissertation on cultural intelligence in 2015 at Pepperdine University. She also completed her Master of Dispute Resolution and Certificate of Dispute Resolution with Pepperdine. At the University of North Texas, Dr. Villagran completed her M.L.S. degree in Legal Informatics and her M.B.A. in Strategic Management.

Dr. Villagran is involved with numerous associations including holding elected, nominated, and appointed roles, respectively, with REFORMA National, REFORMA Los Angeles, the Association for Library and Information Science Education, and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. She is the recipient of several awards including the 2023 American Library Association Social Responsibilities Round Table Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice and Equality, the 2021 REFORMA Librarian of the Year, and the 2021 Association for Library and Information Science Education Norman Horrocks Leadership Award.

Additionally, Dr. Villagran serves as CEO of CulturalCo, LLC consulting in cultural competency, diversity & inclusion, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence. She is an advanced certified cultural intelligence and unconscious bias facilitator through the Cultural Intelligence Center, a Conflicts Dynamic Profile consultant, and a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory.