I have recently been promoted to the Director of the Santa Cruz County Gear Up Program.  Previously, my title was the Associate Director of Family and Community Engagement and Gear Up 2 Work Internship Coordinator. Assisting local students to prepare for life after high school has been extremely rewarding to me as a “Nogalian” and an educator.  Prior to working with the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent’s Office, I taught for the Nogales Unified School District.  I spent 10 years at Desert Shadows Middle School teaching 6^th graders the importance of Ancient and Local History.  In 2018, I joined the Nogales Apaches and enjoyed teaching World History and coaching the Girls High School Tennis Team.  Go Apaches!!! I joined the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent’s Office in August 2021. I have a BA in Political Science and a teaching degree from Pima Community College.

Kerri has recently been promoted to the Director of the Santa Cruz County Gear Up Program. Previously, her title was the Associate Director of Family and Community Engagement and Gear Up 2 Work Internship Coordinator. Assisting local students to prepare for life after high school has been extremely rewarding to her as a “Nogalian” and an educator. Prior to working with the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent’s Office, she taught for the Nogales Unified School District. She spent 10 years at Desert Shadows Middle School teaching 6^th graders the importance of Ancient and Local History. In 2018, she joined the Nogales Apaches and enjoyed teaching World History and coaching the Girls High School Tennis Team. Go Apaches!!! She joined the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent’s office in August 2021. She has a BA in Political Science and a teaching degree from Pima Community College.

Contact: kmunoz@santacruzcountyaz.gov

Lisa’s current role as the C-CREO Gear Up’s college and career access center “C-CREO Hub liaison” helps students and families reach their educational goals.  Lisa has been working in different aspects and roles of education as a teacher, counselor, Gear Up coach and college instructor for over 18 years. She is a proud Nogales, Arizona native and attended school from k-12 in Nogales.  Lisa enjoys spending family time with her husband, two boys and other family members.

She received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish Literature from the University of  Arizona, her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a post-teacher certification from Pima Community College. Lisa is excited to be a part of the GEAR-UP team and all the wonderful partnerships that have been created through the local program.

As the C-CREO hub liaison her goals are to help families and students be prepared for their next steps in finishing middle school, high school and beyond.  The Hub is open to all members of the community, we are here to help answer and assist in reaching academic and life goals.

Contact: LMonge@santacruzcountyaz.gov

Victor Villalobos is a dedicated professional currently serving as a C-CREO Success Coach in the office of Santa Cruz County School Superintendent, Alfredo Velasquez.  He grew up in Nogales and later moved to Rio Rico where he graduated from Rio Rico High School. He is a proud Arizona Wildcat graduate from The University of Arizona, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a focus on Public Management and Administration, with a Minor in Spanish. Victor’s career is marked by a commitment to public service and community engagement. He has held positions at the Santa Cruz County Superior Court and Recorder’s Office, where he managed legal records, coordinated court schedules, and provided bilingual support. His experience also includes working as a Paraprofessional with the Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District #35 where he demonstrated his passion of making a positive impact in students’ lives. He is a motivated individual who strives to exceed expectations with a strong foundation in critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and a background in managing and administrating diverse case assignments. Victor is continuously seeking to apply his  skills and values in new ways to support the Gear Up team in preparing the next generation of students to succeed in post-secondary education.

Contact: vvillalobos@santacruzcountyaz.gov

Luzdaniela Martinez is a Gear Up Success Coach and a proud lifelong resident of Santa Cruz County. After graduating from Rio Rico High School in 2018, she earned her AA in Liberal Arts from Pima Community College in 2020. Her passion for education and community service led her to roles as a Continuing Education Assistant Program Coordinator and a Workforce Development Youth Specialist, where she honed her skills in student support and career readiness where she had the opportunity to support individuals in achieving their educational and career goals. She also attended Arizona State University, where she continued her academic journey and became a member of the ODK National Leadership Honor Society and earned her BA in Liberal Studies with a concentration in The Three Cultures and a minor in Film and Media in 2024.

She is excited to give back to her community by empowering students to reach their full potential. She is deeply committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of the students she serves and ensuring that her community continues to thrive.                                                                                                                                                                          Contact: LMartinez4@santacruzcountyaz.gov