Terese Jones (she/her) PhD, Human Development and Family Sciences, Oregon State University

Terese is currently the department chair for the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills program at Linn Benton Community College, as well as teaching faculty in the HDFS program. Terese’s research examines how poverty impacts human development. Specifically, she focuses on how social policies related to education, health and housing help and hinder thriving development. Her current projects include a qualitative study of how educational opportunities impact the formation of future selves among low-income adults and an evaluation of the impact of free expungement clinics on employment and housing opportunities. Terese lives in Corvallis. OR with her partner and their teenage son, as well as a 90lb lapdog.

Christina Belli (she/her/ella) M.Ed University of Alaska

Christina is currently faculty at Portland Community College in the Child and Family Studies Department. She has worked with children, families, and educators for over 18 years as a preschool teacher, school counselor, school administrator, and now a college instructor. Christina’s career and research interests include examination of social and environmental factors in early development, the impact of trauma on children, family engagement in school settings, and culturally inclusive practices in teaching and learning. She lives in the Portland area with her husband and two young children. She enjoys spending time with her kids and learning with them. When she has free time, you can find her reading, traveling, or working on home projects.

Esmeralda Janeth Julyan (she/her/ella), MS, Public Health Doctoral Candidate, Oregon State University

Esmeralda is currently the HIV Prevention Program Coordinator at Jackson County in Medford Oregon. Esmeralda’s research interests include health equity, access to services, sex education and practices, and the influence that social determinants of health have on people’s ability to be healthy. As the HIV Prevention Program Coordinator, she focuses on the prevention of HIV and other STIs, education, testing, treatment, and outreach to underserved populations. She lives in Southern Oregon with her husband and dog. When she is not working or reading, you can find her outdoors tending to her garden, hiking, biking, or camping.