DREAM Scholars at UCI: A Student Affairs/Academic Affairs Partnership Utilizing Analytics, Intrusive Advising, and Other Best Practices for Undocumented Student Success
Kevin Huie
Kevin M. Huie is a seasoned teacher, trainer, speaker, facilitator, advocate, activist, consultant, counselor and administrator. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Kevin has been mentoring, coaching, and advising students throughout his 20 year career in higher education focusing specifically on their academic achievement, personal development, leadership potential, and overall sense of cultural well-being. He also has provided numerous trainings for academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and thriving businesses. Kevin has a Masters’ degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and Multicultural Counseling from Loyola University Chicago, an Executive Leadership Management Certificate from Rockhurst University, is a certified Diversity Trainer and Mediator, and has a Certificate in Strengths-Based Leadership from the Gallup Organization.
Kevin has a strong passion for contributing to the holistic, transformative development of each and every student and organization with whom he works. He has previously worked for both of his alma maters, the University of Notre Dame and Loyola University Chicago, serving as an Assistant Director and Director respectively within the schools’ Student Affairs’ Divisions. More recently, Kevin served as the Executive Director of the Cross-Cultural Center at UCI where he specialized in the development and execution of premier leadership and diversity programs, and provided strategic direction for the Dean of Students and the Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs on campus issues and diversity related matters. Kevin has also taught extensively at the university level, contributing as a lecturer in the Department of Education and the School of Humanities at UCI, the School of Education at Loyola, and the Department of Psychology at Notre Dame.
In his spare time, Kevin enjoys working out, playing and watching sports, and hanging out at the pool or beach with his family.
Valerie Gomez
Valerie transferred from Cerritos College to the University of California, Los Angeles where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. She recently completed her Masters in Counseling with an Option in Student Development in Higher Education from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). As a graduate student, she engaged in research which culminated in a thesis exploring how anti-immigrant discourses impact the experiences of undocumented students. Prior to her current appointment, Valerie worked at the Dream Success Center at CSULB. There, she provided support services that enabled the academic success of undocumented students. Valerie is dedicated to ensuring that all students, particularly low-income and first generation students, have access to a postsecondary education.