RCP Staff

^{Supervising Attorney Audrey Calderon is a first generation college student. She received her AS in Administration of Justice at Evergreen Valley College, where she was a mentor, tutor, and worked at various student support programs. She transferred to SJSU where she joined the RCP in 2017, working both in the legal services and mentoring programs, as well as continuing to work with student support groups at SJSU.  Audrey graduated from Monterey College of Law with a JD and Masters of Legal Studies in 2024 and passed the bar. For Audrey, the necessity of good lawyers to help our community become better is deeply ingrained. Believing that this is "heart work, but hard work," Audrey has returned to RCP eager to continue providing support to our community members one petition at a time.}

^{Mentor Richard Campbell (Hanif) was born in San Francisco, California. He spent forty-four years in prison for a crime he did not commit. During his incarceration, Hanif taught and counseled others in custody to improve their lives and prepare themselves for their day of possible release through the Islamic faith. The Public Defender’s Post-Conviction unit case managers assisted Hanif since his first day of release and connected him with RCP mentor Conrad Solarez who provided vital resources and support to reintegrate back into the community. As a mentor, Hanif is motivated to help others who have been impacted by the justice system.} 

^{Student Assistant Raya Carrillo graduated in Fall 2024 with a BS in Justice Studies. RCP helped Raya exercise her passion as an advocate for human rights in the legal system as she used her legal knowledge to help people clear their records. Raya intends to go to law school after graduation. She understands basic Tagalog.}

^{Project Assistant Sandra Carrillo is a first-generation college student, graduating in Fall 2024 with a major in Criminal Justice and minors in Psychology and Forensic Science. Born in Los Angeles but raised in Mexico, Sandra is fluent in Spanish.  Sandra seeks to uplift those who are underrepresented in the community and to provide the support they deserve but often lack. Sandra works with the mentoring program, teaches Computers and the Internet courses in Spanish to formerly incarcerated participants, and helps with legal services presentations and other RCP work as needed.}

^{Mentor Jennifer Castillo was born and raised in Gilroy, CA. With over 16 years of sobriety Jennifer is an avid volunteer in the recovery community, supporting and empowering women in recovery who are at risk of losing custody of their children.  She also volunteers at NA’s Annual BBQ, Speaker Jams, and holiday family events. Jennifer is passionate about sharing her experience to let people know that they can also succeed in living a sober life.}

^{Student Assistant Lillian (Lilly) Carter is a first-generation student obtaining her BA in Design Studies with a concentration in graphic design. She is applying to a Master's program at SJSU specializing in Experience Design. Her time at RCP has been gratifying and a great learning experience in applying her design skills through a social justice lens to educate potential clients and donors regarding RCP's services and mission.}

_{Project Assistant Adriana Vazquez-Chavez was born and raised in San Jose. She is a first generation college student and is majoring in Justice Studies with a concentration in criminology. Adriana graduated in Fall 2024 and plans to attend law school. Adriana would ultimately like to be a progressive District Attorney, and then judge, who is focused on reform, prevention, and rehabilitation of people in the justice system, rather than primarily focusing on punitive measures. Adriana hopes to use her Spanish language skills to help clients who do not speak English.}

^{Instructor and Project Assistant Everett Glynn retired from competitive gymnastics in 2019 to pursue a degree in Justice Studies from San Jose State University. Everett has a background in Police Studies and served as a volunteer with the Santa Cruz Police Department for six years. After working with RCP as an undergraduate, Everett continued his involvement as staff during his graduate studies. He will receive his masters degree in Justice Studies from SJSU in Spring 2025. He seeks to develop replicable solutions that address contemporary issues facing the criminal justice system. Everett is grateful for the opportunity to assist individuals navigate the complexities of the legal system and is proud to work alongside the dedicated RCP team.}

^{Project Assistant David Gomez-Cruz was born in San Jose, CA. He is a first-generation college student majoring in Justice Studies and Spanish. He graduated in Fall 2023. David has performed as a member of the Portuguese band, Sociedade Filarmónica Nova Aliança, for the past 7 years. David is planning to go to law school. He is bilingual in Spanish.}

^{Project Assistant Diana Huynh grew up in San Jose and joined RCP in Fall 2022. She graduated Spring 2023 with a degree in Justice Studies with a focus on Criminology with a minor in Legal Studies and in Creative Writing. Working in the Record Clearance Program has solidified Diana’s goal of going to law school and her passion towards giving a voice to people whose voices may be suppressed by the criminal justice system. Diana firmly believes that everyone has a story to be told and every story should be heard. She is grateful to be part of a program that gives hope back to the community through legal assistance. Diana understands Vietnamese.} 

^{Project Supervisor Kanita Ilic is a first-generation college student from Pleasanton, CA. Kanita graduated in May 2022 with a major in Justice Studies with a concentration in Criminology, and a minor in Forensic Studies. Kanita enrolled in the RCP in Fall 2020, and worked as a Student Assistant during her last semester. Kanita plans to attend law school. She is grateful to be able to provide legal assistance to those whose voices have been lost in the criminal justice system. Kanita speaks Bosnian.}

^{Project Assistant Erika Larios joined RCP in Spring 2022. She is a first generation college graduate who grew up in Bay Point, a small town located in the East Bay region of San Francisco Bay Area. She graduated from SJSU in May 2022 with a B.S. in Political Science and minors in Justice Studies and Philosophy. The Record Clearance Project has solidified her passion for law. Erika is dedicated to increasing the diversity of the legal profession and promoting social justice by providing information and resources to undergraduates who otherwise lack access. She plans to attend law school to help those whose voices have been silenced, expecting to work in either criminal or immigration law. Erika speaks fluent Spanish.}

^{Program Manager Jesse Mejia enrolled in RCP as a student in Spring 2018. Jesse leads the Mentoring Program in which former clients are hired as peer mentors to connect people leaving custody with needed services as they move forward in their lives. Jesse is a first-generation college student who transferred to SJSU from Hartnell Community College with an AS-T in Administration of Justice in Fall 2016. Jesse majored in Justice Studies and graduated in Spring 2019 with plans to attend law school. He hopes to work on expungement law after law school and take this experience back with him to Monterey County. Jesse grew up speaking Spanish.} 

^{Administrative Coordinator Serey Nouth was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and grew up in the Bay Area. Serey joined the Record Clearance Project as a student in Spring 2019, which solidified her passion for empowering and supporting those negatively impacted by the justice system. She plans to become an attorney specializing in criminal law. She is a firm believer in second chances and aspires to serve her marginalized community. Serey graduated from SJSU in Fall 2020 with a degree in Kinesiology and a double minor in Sociology and Justice Studies. Serey is fluent in Khmer.}

^{Student Assistant Cristal Ortiz was born and raised in San Jose, CA. She is a first-generation Mexican-American college student in her final year at San José State University, where she is pursuing a B.S. in Justice Studies. Cristal transferred to SJSU from De Anza College. She continues to support the mission of expanding access to justice for individuals with past convictions, and believes that everyone deserves a second chance. Cristal is bilingual in Spanish, using her skills to increase the program’s accessibility to underserved communities. After graduation, Cristal plans to attend law school and pursue a career as an immigration attorney, where she hopes to continue advocating for equity and opportunity within the legal system.}

^{Mentor Stacy Quezada grew up in Gilroy, CA. She has over three years of experience mentoring mothers with substance abuse and mental health issues to navigate the Child Welfare system. After graduating from the program, Stacy participated in Women's drug intervention as a client and supported other women as a guest speaker. She has been involved in several committees with the NA recovery community, including the "Annual NA Barbeque Meeting," where she oversees children's activities. Stacy is knowledgeable about available resources in South County and has done presentations for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and social workers in training. Having lived experience with obstacles of homeless, addiction, incarceration, and poverty, Stacy is passionate about helping community members better themselves and move forward on the right path. Stacy speaks Spanish.}

^{Licensed Clinical Social Worker Harpreet "Preet" Samra, has spent 18 years as a Social Worker fighting for justice, equality, and equity across various arenas. She has BA from the University of California, Davis as well as a MSW from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Preet holds group sessions with RCP Mentors and trains RCP students on trauma-informed interviewing. She has provided training on multiple aspects of Social Workers in defense offices as well as collaborated with colleagues throughout the nation on best practices and implicit bias.  She also sits on the board of Women’s Institute for Equity in Leadership Development (aka WIELD), based in Louisiana.}

^{Mentor Conrad Solarez was born and raised in San Jose, CA. After years of addiction, Conrad entered a faith-based rehabilitation home which sparked his passion for helping youth, adults, and their families who were facing challenges much like his own.Throughout the years, he has advocated on behalf of clients and developed strong relationships with a network of collaborative partners in Santa Clara County. Conrad has extensive experience in responding to survivors of trauma. He believes that changing the way you think will change the direction of your life.}

^{RCP Project Director Margaret (Peggy) Stevenson has taught students to provide legal services to low-income clients since 1994, including 12 years of teaching Stanford and Santa Clara law students in community-based clinics. She began teaching at SJSU in 2007. Peggy received the CSU Chancellor's Award for Faculty Innovation and Leadership in Fall 2018 for her work in establishing the Record Clearance Project. She has also received the SJSU Equity and Diversity Outstanding Faculty award, SJSU College of Applied Sciences and Arts, SJSU Service Learning and Community Engagement, and other university and community recognition awards. Prior to teaching, Peggy was a legal services attorney for 10 years and clerked for a federal judge following UCLA Law School, where she earned her J.D. She has a B.A. from Stanford University. She speaks Spanish.}

^{Digital Literacy Course Instructor Magali Urresti grew up in Santa Clara and enrolled in RCP in Spring 2022. Magali graduated in May 2023 as a double major with a B.A. in History and a B.S. in Justice Studies. Her experience with RCP has motivated Magali to help the formerly incarcerated actualize possibilities for their futures and take steps in reaching their goals.  Magali plans to use her knowledge and experience to advocate for policy changes that would optimize the re-entry process. Magali understands Spanish.}