Tiveeda Stovall
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/FOUNDER

Tiveeda is a state Certified Service-Learning Trainer through the California Department of Education and Youth Service California. She has had over 20 years of social work and counseling experience with children, adolescents and families in community, educational and medical settings. Tiveeda has consulted for schools, public health departments, medical professionals and community organizations on psycho-social issues of youth and families. She is originally from Washington D.C. and received her B.S. in psychology at the University of Colorado Boulder. After moving to California in 1988, Tiveeda received her Masters of Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley. She relocated with her family to San Diego County in 1997 where she currently resides. She led the efforts to institutionalize a Service-Learning Department at San Diego Mesa College. Tiveeda is a recipient of the 2007 Congresswoman Susan Davis Award for an Adult Actively Engaging Students in Service.

Allie Chi
AmeriCorps VIP member

Allie Chi is an AmeriCorp VIP member who specializes in volunteer management.   Originally from Indiana, Allie received her B.A. in Journalism-Advertising and a minor in Business-Marketing at Indiana University.  Before relocating to California, Allie worked at Tennessee State University's Office of International Business Programs.  She worked towards expanding culture awareness and diversity with TSU students and the Nashville community through large-scale events and clubs.   Allie's future endeavors include obtaining her Masters in Education and continuing her involvement in community services especially service-learning projects.  In her free time, Allie enjoys exploring San Diego and trying new restaurants.  She cannot wait to make San Diego her new home.

Jennifer Hamilton
PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Jennifer serves not only as Program Director, but also as Service-Learning Regional Lead for San Diego & Imperial Counties, as designated by the California Department of Education (CDE).  Jennifer is state Certified Service-Learning Trainer through the California Department of Education and Youth Service California.  Jennifer is the only Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute certified trainer in San Diego.  During her over six years as a service-learning specialist and Program Director, Jennifer’s responsibilities include:  managing the youth empowerment and leadership programs; facilitating youth and educator trainings; consulting with educators and administrators; facilitating student created service and leadership projects and philanthropy; budgeting; preparing and managing grants; and supervising staff, volunteers, interns, and AmeriCorps members.  As an advisory member, Jennifer volunteers with University of San Diego’s Character Development Center and Youth Service California Advisory Council.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tamara Arce
BOARD MEMBER

Tamara is a mother of five wonderful children. She has years of experience while volunteering in classrooms, teachers and committees in her community. Tamara has dedicated much of her extra time to working with children in some capacity. She was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2005 for Heritage Elementary School. Tamara’s volunteer experience includes being an: AYSO soccer coach, Special Education Advocate, Girl Scout Leader, former member of the Budget Committee for Chula Vista Elementary School District , book club leader and student mentor. She is a member of CABE, Kiwanis, and National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Hanlan Bowler
BOARD MEMBER

Hanlan is a teacher in the Sweetwater Union High School District. Hanlan has taught courses utilizing high quality service-learning standards since 2004. Hanlan considers San Diego his hometown, although he was born on an army base in Arizona near the Mexican border. Hanlan attended and graduated from public schools in San Diego and Los Angeles. It was during college where Hanlan was able to explore many opportunities which would help shape his future such as living, studying, working, traveling abroad in Germany, Israel and Europe, Middle East, and Northern Africa. As a teacher, Hanlan’s interest in sciences led to his understanding the importance of education making a realistic connection through the power of service. The strategy of service-learning will be the legacy Hanlan will leave to schools, new teachers, mentors and staff to empower students to make a difference in their communities and the world.

Danielle Smotrich
BOARD MEMBER

Danielle Smotrich joined the eXcel Youth Zone team in September.  Danielle is a Marketing and Communications Intern from High Tech High School.  She has been an actress since she was five years old.  Danielle works hard in dance, voice and performance for many hours a week.  She is currently working on a musical at J*Company Youth Theatre that comes out in December.  For dance, Danielle is starting to rehearse for the Nutcracker.  Her dream is to be on Broadway.  As college is a large part of her life goals, she is looking at schools with musical theatre majors including NYU, UCLA, UCSD, Northwestern, Yale, and USC.