Staff 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
Great to meet you! Our diverse staff is excited to connect with you.
Click on the plus sign below to check out our staff member's biographies & contact information:
Click on the plus sign below to check out our staff member's biographies & contact information:
Monica Elenes, Interim Executive Director
Monica Elenes serves as the Assistant Director of High School Programs at LIT. Born in Long Beach, CA and raised in Seattle, WA, Elenes has been highly engaged in advocacy as it pertains to equitable education, art education, social justice, and social emotional learning. Elenes obtained her BA in Communication Studies from Gonzaga University. She is currently studying at UNLV to receive her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction.
Elenes is a proud product of the phrase, it takes a village to raise a child. Elenes was supported to become a leader, mentor, and artist by a numerous amount of nonprofits in Seattle - Arts Corps, Youth Speaks Seattle, The Residency, OneWorld Now!, and Totem Star. The work of non-profit organizations, especially those who have an emphasis on youth development is not only a passion for Elenes, but a lifestyle.
Communication can be relayed at [email protected].
Elenes is a proud product of the phrase, it takes a village to raise a child. Elenes was supported to become a leader, mentor, and artist by a numerous amount of nonprofits in Seattle - Arts Corps, Youth Speaks Seattle, The Residency, OneWorld Now!, and Totem Star. The work of non-profit organizations, especially those who have an emphasis on youth development is not only a passion for Elenes, but a lifestyle.
Communication can be relayed at [email protected].
Miriam Gomez, Operations, Program Manager
Miriam Gomez is a proud first-generation Latina student whose dream is to become a child psychologist. Being the only child of 5 born in Mexico, her parents strived to give her the same education as her brothers and sisters in the United States. She graduated from Las Vegas High School in 2018 and now attends Nevada State College as a Psychology major with a minor in Counseling. Miriam works part-time at LIT as an Operations Manager and is a Cohort 3 member. Se habla español.
Communication will be relayed through [email protected].
Phone number: (702)-449-0703
Communication will be relayed through [email protected].
Phone number: (702)-449-0703
Alejandra Ceja is a proud first-generation Latina graduate from the University of Las Vegas-Nevada. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Minor in Business Administration and plans to attend law school and dreams of becoming a lawyer. Being the oldest daughter of two immigrant parents, she has pushed herself to break generational barriers and has focused on committing her time to giving back to the community by being an active member. She understands the importance of achieving educational goals and hopes to use her background as a first-gen to continue helping the youth. Alejandra works full-time at LIT as an Program and Events Manager and is also a Cohort 4 member. Se habla español.
Communication will be relayed through [email protected].
Phone number: (702)-449-0703
Communication will be relayed through [email protected].
Phone number: (702)-449-0703
Sebastian Cardenas is a dedicated educator, community activist, and social justice advocate. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and raised in East Las Vegas, he experienced firsthand the challenges faced by his community, fueling his commitment to fostering change.
Entering high school, Sebastian faced a turnaround reform addressing Las Vegas's lowest graduation rate. Mass suspensions, expulsions, inadequate support, and lack of opportunities marred his and his peers' education. Amidst this, he navigated the complexities of college applications and FAFSA as a non-resident student. Undeterred, Sebastian collaborated with school staff to establish college access workshops and a financial literacy course at just 16. He graduated as valedictorian and earned a full scholarship to UNLV.
In college, Sebastian's dedication to community service deepened. He became a fellow with the Nevada Institute on Teaching and Educator Preparation, Director of Education Programming at a local nonprofit, a youth commissioner on the Nevada Commission on Mentoring, and contributed to various statewide political campaigns.
Currently, Sebastian teaches Social Studies at Rancho High School, working closely with multilingual and special education students. He also instructs for Rancho's Future Educators Academy and serves as a program manager for Leaders in Training, a youth leadership development and college access nonprofit.
His dedication to serving his community has earned him recognition, including the UNLV Impact Award in Philanthropy, the Engelstad Scholar Outstanding Service Award, and a spot on Teach for America Nevada’s 20 Leaders for 20 Years list.
Through his teaching and community initiatives, Sebastian Cardenas continues to inspire and empower the next generation, striving for equitable opportunities and social change in East Las Vegas and beyond.
Communication can be relayed at [email protected]
Entering high school, Sebastian faced a turnaround reform addressing Las Vegas's lowest graduation rate. Mass suspensions, expulsions, inadequate support, and lack of opportunities marred his and his peers' education. Amidst this, he navigated the complexities of college applications and FAFSA as a non-resident student. Undeterred, Sebastian collaborated with school staff to establish college access workshops and a financial literacy course at just 16. He graduated as valedictorian and earned a full scholarship to UNLV.
In college, Sebastian's dedication to community service deepened. He became a fellow with the Nevada Institute on Teaching and Educator Preparation, Director of Education Programming at a local nonprofit, a youth commissioner on the Nevada Commission on Mentoring, and contributed to various statewide political campaigns.
Currently, Sebastian teaches Social Studies at Rancho High School, working closely with multilingual and special education students. He also instructs for Rancho's Future Educators Academy and serves as a program manager for Leaders in Training, a youth leadership development and college access nonprofit.
His dedication to serving his community has earned him recognition, including the UNLV Impact Award in Philanthropy, the Engelstad Scholar Outstanding Service Award, and a spot on Teach for America Nevada’s 20 Leaders for 20 Years list.
Through his teaching and community initiatives, Sebastian Cardenas continues to inspire and empower the next generation, striving for equitable opportunities and social change in East Las Vegas and beyond.
Communication can be relayed at [email protected]
Sara Lopez graduated in 2024 from Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory High School that provided her an internship at Leaders In Training. Sara has worked as an intern for around three years until the Summer of 2024 when she was hired as a Summer Assistant. Sara, being a first-generation college student and having first-hand experience of college applications and dealing with the stress of growing up, finds value in what Leaders In Training provides for its students. She believes the impact LIT has is life changing, and can form the foundation for a successful future.
Sara is attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for Comprehensive Medical Imaging and was born and raised in Las Vegas. She hopes to support students and help as much as possible, since the transition into adulthood is hard and support from peers is essential.
Communication can be relayed at [email protected]
Sara is attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for Comprehensive Medical Imaging and was born and raised in Las Vegas. She hopes to support students and help as much as possible, since the transition into adulthood is hard and support from peers is essential.
Communication can be relayed at [email protected]
