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:
As a former employee of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and a first-generation college graduate, Johnny takes great pride in being from the Silver State and advocating for equity in college access and success. His experience and passion have allowed him to understand students' various challenges in post-secondary education. His mission is to increase enrollment, retention, and completion in post-secondary institutions for underrepresented populations in Southern Nevada.
He started his career as an Admission Counselor for UNLV, guiding underrepresented students from his hometown in East Las Vegas through one-on-one counseling sessions, financial aid workshops, and college tours. Previous experience also includes time as an Academic Advisor – Transition/Completion Specialist for Nevada State College, strengthening networks between the community colleges and universities within the state of Nevada, and dealing with academic standing and student support services.
Returning to work with students in high school, Johnny was hired as a College Counselor for the Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas, a “to-and-through” College access/success program, where he ultimately was promoted as a College Counseling Manager to lead in the development of the College Access Program. Prior to LIT, He was hired as the first Chief Program Officer for Q3 Student Partners, a social impact venture developing a community-based living-learning program, offering affordable student housing with wrap-around support to pave a path for first-generation students from college to career.
Dominguez currently serves as an advisory board member for Communities in Schools in Southern Nevada as well as for the Industry Leader Advisory Council (ILAC) for the UNLV College of Liberal Arts. Johnny participated in UNLV TRIO in high school as well as being a Student Support Services (SSS) participant in college. Dominguez received his BA in Political Science, M.Ed in Higher Education, and Certificate in Organizational Leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In 2022, he was named as a Las Vegas Weekly “40 under 40” honoree, graduate of the Vegas Chamber of Commerce Leadership Las Vegas, class of 22 “Double Deuces” and fellow for the inaugural Surge Academy Las Vegas.
He is a proud husband to Celinda Dominguez, a social worker at CORE Academy, who both share a beautiful son and baby girl together.
Communication can be relayed at jdominguez@litlv.org
He started his career as an Admission Counselor for UNLV, guiding underrepresented students from his hometown in East Las Vegas through one-on-one counseling sessions, financial aid workshops, and college tours. Previous experience also includes time as an Academic Advisor – Transition/Completion Specialist for Nevada State College, strengthening networks between the community colleges and universities within the state of Nevada, and dealing with academic standing and student support services.
Returning to work with students in high school, Johnny was hired as a College Counselor for the Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas, a “to-and-through” College access/success program, where he ultimately was promoted as a College Counseling Manager to lead in the development of the College Access Program. Prior to LIT, He was hired as the first Chief Program Officer for Q3 Student Partners, a social impact venture developing a community-based living-learning program, offering affordable student housing with wrap-around support to pave a path for first-generation students from college to career.
Dominguez currently serves as an advisory board member for Communities in Schools in Southern Nevada as well as for the Industry Leader Advisory Council (ILAC) for the UNLV College of Liberal Arts. Johnny participated in UNLV TRIO in high school as well as being a Student Support Services (SSS) participant in college. Dominguez received his BA in Political Science, M.Ed in Higher Education, and Certificate in Organizational Leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In 2022, he was named as a Las Vegas Weekly “40 under 40” honoree, graduate of the Vegas Chamber of Commerce Leadership Las Vegas, class of 22 “Double Deuces” and fellow for the inaugural Surge Academy Las Vegas.
He is a proud husband to Celinda Dominguez, a social worker at CORE Academy, who both share a beautiful son and baby girl together.
Communication can be relayed at jdominguez@litlv.org
Monica Elenes, Assistant Director, High School Programs
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 melenes@litlv.org.
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 melenes@litlv.org.
Cynthia Romero is a proud first-generation college student, who after graduating with a double major in Chicano Studies and Spanish Linguistics from the University of California, Riverside, has focused a lot of her energy in ensuring educational equity for students in Las Vegas. As someone who grew up as an English Language Learner and became the first in her family to attend college, she understands the need for providing unique support to each and every student to assure they reach both their educational and personal goals. Through her work as an elementary school teacher she has had the privilege to show students at a young age the importance of education and goal setting. She has been able to take those classroom skills and apply them with LIT's post-secondary students as a Program Manager, where now the focus is ensuring college success and giving back to the community. Se habla español.
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 mgomez@litlv.org.
Phone number: (702)-449-0703
Communication will be relayed through mgomez@litlv.org.
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 aceja@litlv.org.
Phone number: (702)-449-0703
Communication will be relayed through aceja@litlv.org.
Phone number: (702)-449-0703
Jesse Cruz is a first generation 2021 high school graduate from Canyon Springs High School currently working towards an Associates degree in Political Science at the College of Southern Nevada. Persevering against all odds as a child of immigrants in a low income household with disabilities, Jesse hopes to run for public office in the state of Nevada and ensure that no other high school students have to struggle like he and his brothers have had to. Jesse serves LIT as a post-secondary coordinator and Cohort 6 member.
Kateyah Reed, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator, Part-Time
Kateyah Reed is a first-generation college student and a proud member of LIT Cohort 4. She graduated from Las Vegas High School in 2019 and is currently a senior at UNLV, where she is pursuing a degree in Graphic Design and Art. Alongside her studies, Kateyah has also obtained a certificate in Digital Marketing from UNLV, expanding her skills and knowledge in the field.
With a strong passion for creativity and design, Kateyah aspires to become a creative director for diverse projects in the future. Her goal is to use her expertise and leadership skills to bring innovative ideas to life and make a meaningful impact. Moreover, she is dedicated to inspiring and empowering fellow students, helping them realize that they can carve out a space for themselves in any industry. Kateyah believes that everyone has the potential to create opportunities, and she aims to support and mentor students in their pursuit of creative ventures and majors. Through her work, she hopes to expose more students to the world of creativity and ensure they receive the guidance and encouragement they need to succeed.
Communication will be relayed through kreed@litlv.org.
Phone number: (702)-449-0703
With a strong passion for creativity and design, Kateyah aspires to become a creative director for diverse projects in the future. Her goal is to use her expertise and leadership skills to bring innovative ideas to life and make a meaningful impact. Moreover, she is dedicated to inspiring and empowering fellow students, helping them realize that they can carve out a space for themselves in any industry. Kateyah believes that everyone has the potential to create opportunities, and she aims to support and mentor students in their pursuit of creative ventures and majors. Through her work, she hopes to expose more students to the world of creativity and ensure they receive the guidance and encouragement they need to succeed.
Communication will be relayed through kreed@litlv.org.
Phone number: (702)-449-0703