We are excited to announce the Leadership Institute 2017 Faculty! The faculty consists of the two co-lead facilitators and fourteen small group facilitators.
Leadership Institute Co-Lead Facilitators will be responsible for the creation and implementation of the curriculum. Small Group Facilitators are in charge of seeing out the event’s curriculum and ensure that delegates understand this year’s overall theme to take back to their respective entity.
Check out our LI2017 faculty below. We look forward to having all of the delegates in Nashville this summer!
Co-Lead Facilitators
Nathan Olmeda
Bro. Nathan “La Voz” Olmeda crossed at the Nu Beta Chapter (Bowling Green State University) in the Spring semester of 2007. Since then he has gone on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from BGSU as well as his Master’s Degree in Higher Education/Student Affairs from Iowa State University. Nathan has moved to Southern California where he has served as the Fraternity and Sorority Life Coordinator for California State University, Fullerton. He presently works at USC Hybrid High School as the Alumni Coordinator, where he supports alumni through their first year of college. His Greek experiences range from council advisement, chapter advisement, professional conference attendance and presentations, workshop coordination and facilitation, and more. He does it all for the love of SLB!
Gabe Lara
Bro. Gabe Lara earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Sociology from Western Illinois University and his Master of Arts degree in Management & Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational Change, and Student Development from Webster University. He is pursuing his Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership at Southeastern University. For over 15 years, Gabe has been in diversity education; 3 years in Human Resources under Training & Development, and 12 years in Student Affairs working at the community college level, a mid-size four-year institution, and a large four-year flagship institution. His areas of concentration include multicultural identity theory, inclusive leadership development, workplace diversity, student mentoring, and training needs assessment.
Small Group Facilitators
Micah Bockstruck
Bro. Micah Bockstruck Martinez was initiated into the Prolific Pi Gamma Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. in the spring of 2011. He attended Eastern Washington University, where he earned a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus on Spanish and Education, and then attended Iowa State University, where he earned his M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs. He currently serves as a Coordinator for the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life at Oregon State University, and has worked previously with the Fraternity and Sorority Community at both Texas Tech University and Iowa State University. In his free time he enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family and exploring the Pacific Northwest.
Juan Castillo
Bro. Juan Castillo is a current Dallas, TX resident. He joined the Most Honorable in the spring of 2010, as the anchor of a two man line. He graduated from Southern Methodist University (Mu Delta Chapter) in 2013, having studied art and business. He is the co-founder and co-owner of Gallery 86, an online art gallery, and he is also currently pursuing his Masters degree in nutrition and exercise physiology at Columbia University in New York. In his spare time, Juan loves watching Criminal Minds and dancing bachata.
Sammy Publes
Bro. Sammy was born in Havana, Cuba and came to the United States with his family as political refugees in 1988. A creative spark ignited by his high school English teacher motivated him to pursue his studies after attending Horizons Community High School. In 1997 he received an Associates in Liberal Arts from Grand Rapids Community College then headed to Western Michigan University where he received a Minority Theater Scholarship. Bro. Sammy received a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Theater and Spanish at Western Michigan University in 2001. While at Western Michigan he started a Latin Show on the universities radio station, was part of the President’s Student Advisory Board, New Latino Visions Theater Group and restarted the Epsilon Chapter.
In 2001, Bro. Sammy moved to Chicago to pursue his acting career and landed a leading role in “Our Lady of 121st St.” at Steppenwolf Theater Company. He’s proud of his works with such Chicago theaters at Healthworks Theater, Teatro Vista and Apple Tree Theater, Second City and Lookingglass Theater.
In addition to his theatrical accomplishments he has also appeared in films such Batman Vs. Superman, Stone with Robert DeNiro and TV Credits on Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Code, Boss, Shameless, The Beast and Empire.
A couple of years ago Bro. Sammy decided to start his own theater company, Mixed Roots Collective, to address inequality of representation in local theater and film. His new company produces plays that mainstream theaters can’t or won’t produce. By providing a platform for these plays he hopes to address inequalities in casting as well. To quote Bro. Sammy, “Mixed Roots Collective theater is the culmination of my passion for the stage and life long commitment to live performances.”
Bro. Sammy has been involved in diversity and inclusion training for 20 years. Through this work he decided to create a theater group with his partners Shelly Urbane and Todd Lewis, One World Diversity that attempts to address issues of disparity and inclusion for companies throughout the United States.
Mr. Publes continues to act in Chicago and throughout Michigan and currently lives with his family in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Derrick Jones
Bro. Derrick “Amistad” Jones crossed on April 29, 2000 at the Nu Beta Chapter (Bowling Green State University). A graduate of BGSU with a BA in Communications and MA in Theatre, he also earned an MFA in Film from Ohio University where he educated the founding line of the Eta Delta Chapter. In addition to a professional career in higher education, D Jones is also known as a filmmaker, poet, lyricist and all around great guy. Fraternally, Bro. Amistad has worn many hats regionally and nationally over the years. Most notably, he is the co-author of the SLB History Book and the Omega Ritual. Next to fathering his one and only son Legacy, joining the Brotherhood of The Most Honorable Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated was on one of the greatest moments of his life.
Alberto Ortega
Bro. Alberto Ortega crossed at the Psi Alpha Chapter at Santa Clara University in the Spring of 2012. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and has since been working in Biotech and Pharmaceuticals Industry as an Analytical Chemist. During his time at Santa Clara, Alberto was heavily involved in undergraduate research and worked in the Department of Housing and Residence life, while also taking on several positions within the chapter. Currently, Alberto serves as the Psi Alpha Chapter’s Alumni Advisor and is the Director of Operations for the Sigma Lambda Beta Northern California Alumni Network. In his spare time, Alberto enjoys watching and playing soccer and hanging out with the brothers in his region.
Danny Zepeda
Bro. Danny hails from the Psikotic Psi Alpha Chapter. He graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree which he followed-up with a Paralegal Studies degree. He currently works for a law firm in the Bay Area managing complex and civil litigation cases. A few of his community service endeavors include volunteering at a non-profit immigration law firm, serving on the Board of Directors for his county’s LGBTQ community center and recently beginning work on an SLB Education Foundation committee. Bro. Danny upholds his line name -“Clave” – to the fullest as he is considered as the best salsa dancer at family functions. He is a professional salsa choreographer/dancer with years of experience competing, traveling, and teaching with dance teams and working with local college salsa teams – DM him for bookings!
Mario Flores Mejia
Bro. Mario’s family is from Honduras and El Salvador. He was raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and moved to Colorado when he was 17. Thanks to Mario’s family support and involvement with various academic programs, he became the first person in his family to pursue a college degree at the University of Colorado. Mario became a brother of SLB on December 18th, 2003 as the anchor of Sine Unum Nullus, the Lambda Line of the Lambda Chapter. Mario’s family and the brotherhood helped him earn his BA in Ethnic Studies and MA in Instruction and Curriculum and a Secondary Social Studies licensure. After college, Mario joined the Navy and traveled to Bahrain, Italy, Japan and Palau. Mario feels it is his responsibility to give back to the communities that gave him so much support and looks forward to working with brothers during Leadership Institute 2017.
Edgardo Ramirez
Bro. Edgardo is a brother from the “Almighty” Alpha Chapter at the University of Iowa and crossed in spring 2012. He had the opportunity to serve many roles within his chapter as well as other campus organizations. He graduated with a B.S. in Psychology in Spring 2015 and currently works as a Research Study Assistant in the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. He is passionate about research concerning minority health issues and inequities and plans to apply to Clinical Psychology PhD programs later this year.
Alex Romero
Bro. Alex is the Program Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and serves as the advisor for the Multicultural Greek Council and Interfraternity Council. Alex earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Mexican American Studies at the University of Arizona (UA). At UA, he joined the Kappa Alpha Chapter of SLB in the spring of 2011. Alex has served as the Assistant Regional Director for the Southwest Region for the past year which oversees Arizona, Colorado and El Paso. During his graduate program he served as a coordinator for Leadership Programs and interned at Fraternity and Sorority Programs at UA. Alex graduated from UA with a Masters in Higher Education and then decided to make the big move to Sin City.
John Ballesteros
Bro. John Ballesteros crossed in spring 2010 at the University of Minnesota (Alpha Beta Chapter). He is a new resident of the East Coast, trying to figure out how to survive in New York City. John’s main focus is in hosting. At work he is a consultant for a group that facilitates brainstorming sessions for clients. He also pursues hosting outside of work by facilitating workshops at student conferences and emceeing events. John is excited to share knowledge with different brothers from across the nation and have a great time doing it.
Jose Luis Perez
Bro. Jose Luis was born in Watts, California but grew up in South Central Los Angeles. He graduated from Manual Arts High School, went to Santa Monica Community College before transferring to California State University Long Beach where he graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in History. Bro. Jose is currently a teacher for Family First Charter Organization where the use various academic subjects is used to provided disenfranchised and at-risk populations the training for academic, vocational, social, and emotional skills required for obtaining work skills and successful participation or reentry to society as an effective, participating, and productive citizen.
Kevin Gonzalez
Bro. Kevin Gonzalez is a brother from the UnRuLy Chi Chapter at Pace University in the Notorious Northeast region. He crossed in spring 2012 as a captain of three. Bro. Kevin is originally from Brentwood, New York but has been living in New York City for just about six years now. He graduated in 2015 and currently work as an IT Manager at a private membership club. Outside of work, you can catch him at practices as a member of the New Era Stroll Team and Captain of the Stampede Step Team. Bro. Kevin is looking forward to meeting brothers from all around the country and coming together for catalytic conversations and a memorable weekend!
Jamal Wright
Bro. Jamal Wright is from the Rho Delta Chapter at Georgia Southern University of the Savage Southeast Region and is very excited for his first Leadership Institute experience as a small group facilitator. He crossed and joined this Most Honorable fraternity during the Fall 2015 semester. He graduated Georgia Southern in spring 2016 with his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and currently is continuing his education at the University of Central Florida for his Master of Arts in Higher Education and Policy Studies. A few of his favorite hobbies include participating in outdoor activities like kayaking, whitewater rafting, and camping, playing tennis and ultimate frisbee, watching horror movies, running, watching anime, and dancing. Jamal looks forward to connecting with all of the brothers from coast to coast attending this great experience!
Inmer Cardona
Bro. Inmer Cardona was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He joined Sigma Lambda Beta in the spring of 2011 at the Eta Alpha Chapter. Inmer received his Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning Development from The University of Texas at Austin in 2015. In May 2017 he earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Inmer has experience in leadership development, diversity training, facilitation, and plans to pursue a doctoral degree. His research interest includes Latino male attrition rates in higher education, access and equity for underrepresented student groups, and social justice education.