Meet the Team – Center for Academic & Faculty Excellence

Director

M. Gloria González-Morales
Director (she/her/ella)

M. Gloria González-Morales is an associate professor of psychology and director of the Worker Wellbeing Lab at CGU. The WW Lab is a feminist research lab focused on employee health, flourishing, and belonging.

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Interim Associate Director

Esmé Taylor
Interim Associate Director (she/her/hers)

Esmé Taylor is the Interim Associate Director of CAFE. She has a BA in Gender and Women’s Studies and is pursuing a PhD in Organizational Behavior at CGU. Her research focuses on inclusive practices in education and organizational culture.

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Founding Director (2013–2022)

Shamini Dias
Founding Director

Emeritus Director (2019–2025)

Shelby D. Lamar
Emeritus Director (they/them)

Shelby is a co-founder of CAFE and an experienced educator and researcher whose work centers on AI in pedagogy, equitable teaching, and departmental evaluation.

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Adjunct Faculty

Lizbeth Bayardo Cardenas
Adjunct Faculty

Lizbeth is a public health professional and educator focused on leadership development and health equity. She holds a Doctor of Public Health from CGU.

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Tamar Salibian
Adjunct Faculty

Tamar is a scholar-educator and media artist who teaches at the intersection of media literacy, ethical pedagogy, and experiential learning. She holds a PhD from CGU.

Teaching Fellows

Juan Carlos Parrilla
Teaching Fellow

Juan Carlos is a writer and instructor specializing in Latinx theater. He is currently completing his PhD at CGU and teaches writing at Pasadena City College.

Violet Luxton
Teaching Fellow

Violet is a PhD student in Cultural Studies and a nonprofit leader focusing on social justice, equity, and community-based learning strategies in higher education.

Teaching Assistants