Our Team

Emily joined the OJS team in February 2020 as a Youth Leadership Intern for the YLA program. As an OJS Alumna, Emily first started in OJS as a 9th grader in 2010 and is excited to return to the organization that gave her so many memorable experiences and served as an enormous support system throughout her college journey. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Emily leads the College Success Program and the Learning Resource Center, both crucial programs within Operation Jump Start. She works closely with our students aiming to push them beyond limits, encourages them to reach their highest potential, and celebrates their successes and victories together! Emily is driven to create an inclusive and positive learning experience for our scholars while exposing them to new opportunities. She believes in OJS’s mission to support students to get in, stay in, and graduate from a college/university!

When not at OJS, you can find Emily enjoying the outdoors, working on her fitness goals, or spending quality time with her Labrador and Husky!

Connect with Emily: emily@operationjumpstart.org

Rebecca joined Operation Jumpstart in February 2020. She graduated from the University of California, Davis with a double major in Communication Theory and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies and a minor in Education. As the first in her family to attend college, she is passionate about providing all students with access to higher education and about the imperative need to support them throughout their journey.

In her free time, she loves to craft, work on ceramic projects, cook, and spend time with her cat, Luna.

Connect with Rebecca: rebecca@operationjumpstart.org

Chelsea (she/they) joined the team in March 2022. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Louisville with an interdisciplinary studies degree in English, Philosophy, and Communications. As a first-generation American and first-generation college student from a rural, under-resourced town in eastern Kentucky, they care deeply about educational equity. She is particularly passionate about addressing the nuanced and complex intersections between race, gender, sexuality, class, disability, and immigration status in education. 

She worked and volunteered as a movement and political organizer for two years in Philadelphia before moving to southern California, where she now lives with her partner, three cats, and several dozen houseplants.

In their leisure time, Chelsea enjoys film photography, going to museums, bubble tea, Cambodian food, reading, writing poetry, cooking vegan food, hiking, and basking in the sun!

Connect with Chelsea: chelsea@operationjumpstart.org

Jasmine joined the OJS team as a tutor in April 2022. She is a first-generation college student currently studying Mathematics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Jasmine has worked for organizations such as the Engineer Factory, Mathnasium, and Long Beach City College’s Math Success Center. She is passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and hopes to empower others to pursue higher education.

During her free time, Jasmine enjoys trying new restaurants and binging the latest TV shows and movies!

Connect with Jasmine: jasmine@operationjumpstart.org

Kevin joined Operation Jump Start as a College Access Coordinator in November 2021. He graduated from Bates College in 2017, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Japanese. In 2016, he worked as an intern for OJS, helping with the student recruitment process, which motivated him to continue on his journey of helping younger students. As a part of that journey, he has conducted research on homeless youth’s barriers to education in Lewiston, Maine, and worked four years as a behavioral therapist for children on the autism spectrum. His passion for helping youth excel in education has finally brought him back to OJS, where he hopes to continue his mission of fostering success in young students.

When he’s not at OJS, he likes to spend his free time playing video games, watching anime, working out, or spending some quality time outside roller skating.

Connect with Kevin: kevin@operationjumpstart.org

Valerie joined the team in November 2022. She is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She is currently in her last year at Chapman University receiving her Master of Arts in Leadership Development with an emphasis in Higher Education.

 As a first-generation college student and previous experience with college advising, she is extremely passionate about providing college access and postsecondary education to all students. 

During her free time, Valerie loves to take walks in nature, do pilates, and explore small owned coffee shops. 

Connect with Valerie: valerie@operationjumpstart.org