Dr. Cesar Ramos joined the Cross-Cultural Center in 2022 with multiple years of professional experience in higher education. He graduated from St. Mary’s College of California in the Bay Area with a B.A. in Political Science followed by earning his Masters in Public Administration with a focus on human resources and organizational change from California State University, East Bay. In 2022, Cesar successfully completed his doctorate in education at CSU East Bay in Educational Leadership for Social Justice. His dissertation focused on sense of belonging for Black and Brown students in Catholic higher education which explored the importance of safe spaces such as cultural centers at colleges and universities.

As a first-generation, student, Dr. Ramos brings with him a commitment to enhancing student experiences through holistic student development, student organization/group experience, and professional staff supervision and advocacy. Wellness for Student Affairs professionals is also a priority to ensure that our staffing team can serve our students while taking care of themselves.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Cesar is happy to be back in Southern California after living in the Bay Area for several years. Cesar advises Umbrella student organizations (the 5 founders of the CCC), teaches a course based on social justice principles and facilitation, advises the wellness with social justice program series, works with the Counseling Center on the annual Cultural Empowerment & Leadership Development summit and other initiatives focused on social justice and advocacy. During their downtime, he enjoys going to the movies, traveling, a day at the Disney parks, and attending concerts.

Jasmine Ambriz joined the Cross-Cultural Center in August 2024. She first joined the Student Life & Leadership (SLL) cluster at UC Irvine in October 2021 as the Program Coordinator for the Office of Campus Organizations & Volunteer Programs (COVP), where they primarily worked on programs for campus orgs such as the Anteater Involvement Fair (AIF) and Anteater Awards. They graduated as a first-generation student from UC Irvine in 2021, double-majoring in English and Education Sciences and minoring in Civic and Community Engagement with an emphasis in educational equity. During her time at UC Irvine, Jasmine was involved in mentorship programs for other first-gen students, coordinating the Student Parent Orientation Program (SPOP), and other spaces for peer support and community-building. In 2025, she earned her Master of Science in Higher Education (MSHE) at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF).

They aim to integrate their passion for creating spaces of belonging, support, and empowerment for students of Color with their commitment to advocacy for equity, justice, and abolition. Her role in the Cross-Cultural Center includes leading the center’s annual Community Roots Festival, working with umbrella organizations, overseeing the volunteer program, coordinating the center’s marketing/ social media, and other programming such as REAL Talk. When she’s not working, she enjoys making core memories, going to cafes, dancing at concerts, dissecting reality TV, and fixating on whatever anime they’re watching at the moment.

Kim Moran joined the Cross-Cultural Center team in August 2024. She is a first-generation graduate of UC Irvine (’23). She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minored in Chicanx/Latinx Studies. During her time at UC Irvine, she was a student leader in Student Housing, Counseling Center, and Latinx Resource Center. After graduating from UC Irvine, she worked in disability services at Cal State Fullerton.

Kim was born and raised in El Monte, CA. Her hobbies include matcha brewing, concert-going, gaming, and helping raise her two younger sisters. Kim is passionate about empowering student voices and working in higher education. Her role at the Cross-Cultural Center includes providing support to the affiliates program, the center’s signature programs, and other programming focused on leadership development and social justice education. Kim is currently studying at Sacramento State in their Master of Arts in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies program. Through the program, she hopes to improve the effectiveness of the CCC’s initiatives and better serve students. Her goal is to explore the connections between education and workforce development. By the end of the program, she hopes to identify new ways to advocate for systemic change and promote skill development for students. In the future, Kim hopes to develop more collaborations to bridge the gap between education and the workforce in higher education.

Camila Ferrel joined the Cross-Cultural Center team in September 2025. She is a UC Irvine alumna (Class of 2024) who earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychological Science with a minor in Sociology. During her undergraduate years, Camila demonstrated leadership and commitment to student empowerment through multiple roles: serving as Co-President of the Latinx Student Psychological Association (LSPA), working as a Peer Educator and COACH at the Counseling Center, and working as the QTPOC Programs Intern at the Latinx Resource Center. Following graduation, Camila furthered her experience through work as a research assistant for a consulting firm focused on creating inclusive workplace environments, a developmental services instructor supporting adults with varying abilities in achieving independence, and a peer tutor for a UC Irvine psychological science course.

A proud eldest daughter born and raised in Southeast Los Angeles, Camila is driven by both personal and professional passion. She is committed to creating empowering spaces for QTBIPOC communities through strengths-based approaches and social justice principles. Her ultimate goal is to pursue a graduate degree in counseling psychology and become a leader in higher education, using counseling techniques to support student growth and empowerment. In her role at the Cross-Cultural Center, Camila manages budgetary operations, coordinates administrative functions for CCC programming staff, and supports the Wellness with Social Justice monthly programming series. She is dedicated to fostering radical healing and resistance, ensuring that community members can engage in advocacy while prioritizing their well-being. When she’s not working, Camila enjoys collecting objects that bring her joy, exploring matcha cafes, and attending concerts.

Simón immigrated to the United States at the age of 10 from Colombia. He grew up in Massachusetts, where he became involved in community groups advocating for immigrant student rights. During his undergraduate years, Simón was actively involved on campus as a leader in student government, sorority and fraternity life, orientation, and as the senior class vice-president.

Simón later served in the U.S. Navy, where he developed his passion for leadership development. After his time in the service, he has taken on various leadership roles across a spectrum of universities. Some of his prior roles include Assistant Director of Student Involvement and Leadership at St. Mary’s College of California and Assistant Director of the Veterans Services Center at UC-Irvine.

Simón is excited to return to the ‘anteater community’ to work on initiatives that further the Cross-Cultural Center’s work with alumni and community partners.

Simón holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. He also earned a Master of Education in Student Affairs from the University of California, Los Angeles. Later, he returned to higher education and obtained a Master of Business Administration with a focus on organizational change and development from Chapman University.