Commissioners

Lisa Garcia-Stewart, Commissioner
Kansas City, Kansas
Term Expires - 2020
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Lisa currently is the Director of Student Services at the Central Office in Kansas City. In her role she attends, prepares and leads district parent meetings and conferences to address student related issues. Performs special projects as assigned by the Superintendent. Coordinates and oversees department programs, School Counselors, Homeless, Kidzone, Migrant, Truancy, and Volunteers. Lisa plans, schedules and coordinates school projects including District professional development. Attends, organizes and directs various committee meetings for the civic engagement and community partnerships. Oversees the District Code of Conduct. Prior to becoming the Director of Student Services, Lisa was a Secondary School Counselor for six years at Eisenhower Middle School in Kansas City, Kansas. Lisa started her career in education as a Middle School Teacher– Six Grade at Truesdall Middle School in Wichita, Kansas. Lisa holds a M.A. in Education, an M.S. in School Counseling and currently she is working towards her ABD Doctoral Education Administration Leadership from Capella University. Lisa enjoys being part of the community and is an active advocate for education. She volunteers at several organizations including the Boy Scouts Urban Outreach Committee {Whitney Young Award Recipient 2015}, Back To School Fair Advisory Committee, Unitedway of Wyandotte County Board Member, Healthy Communities Wyandotte County Steering Committee, Juvenile Advisory Correctional Board Member, REACH 500 Advisory Board, Sunflower House Education Advisory Board, Wyandotte Children’s Coordination Council, El Centro Board Member, Kansas City, Kansas Community College Adult Education Advisory Board, Leadership 2000 Board Member, and Red Cross of Wyandotte County. Her passion, experience and dedication to education will be a great resource for the Hispanic Community in Kansas.

Derek Ramos, Commissioner
Garden City, Kansas
Term Expires - 6/30/2020
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Derek was born and raised in Lakin, KS. He attended Garden City Community College on a basketball scholarship where he earned his Associates Degree in Science. He became involved with H.A.L.O. during his time at GCCC. From there he went on to Manhattan, KS where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Kansas State University while also completing an internship with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. He is involved in community organizations like the Knights of Columbus where they offer charitable services to the local communities. Derek currently lives in Garden City, KS with his wife Sammie and is the Director of Facilities at the Garden City Community College.

Maria Herrera Schultes, Commissioner
Topeka, Kansas
Term expires - 6/30/2018
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Maria is currently a Preparedness Section Administrator for the State of Kansas, Division of Emergency Management. At her current role, Maria supports the Preparedness branch with Homeland Security Training and Exercise projects across the State – including supporting the State Emergency Operations Center during real events and exercises. Within three months as Training Specialist, she spearheaded the implementation of the use of the KS-TRAIN On-line Learning Management System at the State of Kansas Emergency Management Office; thus reducing the life cycle of training courses from the time they took place to the time participants received their completion certificate - from an average of three months to only two weeks or less. Before moving to Topeka; during her previous experience as Grant Administrator at Dodge City High School, Maria used her bilingual abilities to assist Hispanic educate families achieve the potential of helping their students to higher education opportunities and grants/scholarships for available minorities. Maria has an Associate of Applied Science: Computer Information Systems. Maria’s experience and love for the community will be a great contribution to KHLAAC.

Photo of Commissioner Marisel Sanchez Walston

Marisel Sanchez Walston, Commissioner
Lenexa, Kansas
Term expires - 6/30/2020
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Marisel received a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from the University of Maryland. She is the current President of the Kansas City Paralegal Association (KCPA). The KCPA provides scholarships to Paralegal students in the Kansas City metropolitan area and supports several organizations such as CASA of Jackson County, and Midwest Innocence Project by providing volunteers and funds. She is a Class of 2013 graduate from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Excellence in Public Service Series. She currently serves on the Board of Governors and was appointed Assistant Class Liaison and Graduation Chair for the Class of 2015. She is also a Precinct Committeewoman. Marisel serves as Secretary for the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission. Marisel is a Paralegal for Kiewit Energy Group Inc. in Lenexa, Kansas.

Michael W. Munoz, Commissioner
Topeka, Kansas
Term expires - 6/30/2020
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Michael was born in Topeka, KS. He graduated from Topeka High, later he went to Wichita State University where he got his Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Minority Studies. During his college years he got involved with the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO) and ever since has been an inspiration to youth in the community. He has worked as a Youth Specialist and Case Manager. During his career he has worked helping at-risk students pursue their dreams of a higher education. Currently Michael works as a JAG-K Specialist (Jobs for America’s Graduates). Michael recruits at-risk students for graduation enhancement lifestyle. He also aids students in laying down their pathway for success. Michael helps students by implementing professionalism and soft skills strategies. Michael got interested in KHLAAC two years ago when he brought his students to the Hispanic Day at the Capitol. His work experience and his passion for the community will be great assets for KHLAAC.

Bertha Mendoza, Commissioner
Garden City, Kansas
Term expires - 6/30/2020
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Bertha G. Mendoza has been the EFNEP/SNAP-Ed Extension Agent for the Southwest Area Office since 2009. Bertha holds a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education from Kansas State University and two Master Degrees from Fort Hays State University, in the area of Special Education: Adaptive Technology for students with learning disadvantages, and Advanced Education for Gifted Students. Bertha’s special fields of interest are education, nutrition and health. She believes in the value of creating community partnerships and actively pursues collaboration as a way to address important community concerns. Bertha was born in Chihuahua, Mexico; she came to the United States in 1993. She lives in Holcomb, and has worked for education for the last fifteen years in the areas of adult and family literacy and currently serves in the fields of Nutrition, Health and Adult Education for low income audiences.

Dorian Soto, Commissioner
Wichita, Kansas
Term expires - 6/30/2019
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Dorian is currently a Key Account Manager for Westar Energy in Wichita, KS. In this role, he assists the company in serving some of the largest corporate and industrial customers in the state. He graduated from Wichita State University in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Marketing. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, appointed in 2016. He also graduated from the Young Professionals of Wichita Leadership Academy in 2016. Dorian enjoys mentoring grade school aged children. He has mentored with the YMCA and Junior Achievement Wichita throughout his career.