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Support LA Students: Volunteer for Portfolio Defenses & POLs

Senior Portfolio Defenses: (5 Volunteers Needed)

We’re looking for industry professionals, ideally from the Public Service Pathway, to volunteer as panelists for our Senior Portfolio Defense! As a panelist, you’ll listen to student presentations and offer feedback from an industry perspective. You’ll work alongside the student’s lead panelist and a teacher to guide the conversation. This event is a culmination and celebration of the students’ hard work and achievements, and it’s a great opportunity to help shape the next generation of professionals!

  • Friday, May 16th: (2 Volunteers Needed)
    • 1:30 pm-3:30 pm (12th Grade)

You can sign-up here: https://tinyurl.com/UPPOL25

Presentations of Learning (POLs): (11 Volunteers Needed)

The Presentations of Learning are our students’ culminating event for the school year. It is a showcase of their academic, personal, and leadership growth. They will be presenting a 10–15-minute presentation and as a Panelist you will be providing feedback using a rubric to highlight their strengths and areas of growth.

  • Wednesday, May 21st: (7 Volunteers Needed)
    • 9:00 am-11:00 am (9th Grade) – 5 Volunteers Needed
    • 1:00 pm-3:00 pm (10th Grade) – 2 Volunteers Needed
  • Thursday, May 22nd: (4 Volunteers Needed)
    • 9:00 am-11:00 am (11th Grade) – 2 Volunteers Needed
    • 1:00 pm-3:00 pm (11th Grade)– 2 Volunteers Needed

You can sign-up here: https://tinyurl.com/UPPOL25

Please see the attached flyers with information about the events. 

We look forward to hearing from you! Thank you for your time.

Please contact Sylvia Leiva, College and Career Coordinator, at sleiva@laep.org with any additional questions.

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LaCora Stephens

Marketing and Communications

LaCora is a seasoned communications professional with a passion for using multimedia storytelling to empower movements for social justice and equality. For over 13 years, she has honed her skills as a versatile multimedia director, overseeing media operations across diverse organizations, including the NAACP Beverly Hills-Hollywood Branch and The Shirley Chisholm Education Foundation. Her deep understanding of the education and equity landscape fuels her creative vision, allowing her to craft impactful narratives that resonate with audiences.

With strategic communication​ and collaboration, LaCora excels in developing and executing compelling​ multimedia campaigns that not only raise​ awareness of critical issues but also​ inspire action and drive meaningful change. Her proficiency in concept​ development, production execution, and​ team leadership ensures projects are​ delivered with exceptional quality. Furthermore, LaCora fosters strong​ relationships with internal and external​ stakeholders, cultivating partnerships​ that maximize campaign reach and impact.

LaCora's educational foundation began with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education from Florida A&M University. She then pursued a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Alliant University of San Diego. This passion for storytelling, fueled by her background in education, translates to her belief in the power of shared narratives. Her work in this area was recognized through her selection as a Women in Film Mentee and film director for Viola Davis’ sponsored film showcase, Diversity in Cannes. Now, LaCora leverages her love of storytelling and commitment to educational equity in her role leading marketing and communications for Los Angeles Education Partnership, while also serving on the board of the Pasadena African American Film Foundation.

Eric Barela, Ph.D.

Senior Consultant, Raya Cooper Impact Consulting

Dr. Eric Barela has worked as a measurement & evaluation professional for over 2 decades, helping organizations to better understand and act on their social impact. He’s currently a Senior Consultant with Raya Cooper Impact Consulting and previously worked at Salesforce, where he led efforts to measure the social impact of the company’s work with nonprofits and educational institutions across the globe. He began his career working with the Los Angeles Unified School District and with the nonprofit, Partners in School Innovation. Eric previously served on the Board of the American Evaluation Association and currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the American Journal of Evaluation.

Eric grew up in East LA and was educated in the Montebello Unified School District. He holds a Ph.D. in education from UCLA. He loves a good road trip, with his husband serving as trusty navigator.