Through our academic programs, the Kroc School offers opportunities to nurture and develop leaders ready to tackle some of the world's most pressing problems. The Kroc School's San Diego Community Scholars Fellowship is dedicated to cultivating leaders in the nonprofit and social impact sectors, specifically those serving underserved communities throughout San Diego County, with special consideration given to applicants working in Linda Vista, Logan Heights/Barrio Logan, City Heights, and areas south and east of the University of San Diego.
To celebrate our Inaugural cohort, the Kroc School hosted a luncheon, inviting the 5 Fellows and their families, and the generous donors of the fellowship, Michael and Rosemary Perlmeter. Their funding of the Fellowship allows the five chosen Fellows to pursue master's degrees at the Kroc School in Social Innovation and Conflict Management & Resolution, without having to worry about the financial cost, and solely focus on obtaining the knowledge to become stronger leaders than they already are and take the lessons learned and apply them to the community work they are actively engaged in.
"It's clear from us being here today and also the applications we read for the scholarship that the students in this particular fellowship are really leaders in their fields and will continue to grow as leaders, so I think there is no end to what they can do." - Rosemary Perlmeter
From left to right: Darren Kew, Rachel Oporto, Tamara Craver, Rosemary & Michael Perlmeter, Jesus Martin Gallegos-Munoz, Alyssa Abbelar, Rosa Olascoaga Vidal, Frances Laviscount
Get to know the five San Diego Community Scholar Fellows below:
Alyssa Abellar
Alyssa Abellar is passionate about transforming lives and driving meaningful change in San Diego. She is currently the Impact Manager at United Way of San Diego. With over five years of program management experience, she has honed her skills in designing and implementing strategies that foster community development and advance economic mobility. She thrives in roles where she can make a tangible difference, leveraging her expertise in program design, relationship building, and data-driven improvement to create collaborative environments that inspire growth and success.
Alyssa is thrilled to begin her Master of Arts in Social Innovation program at USD’s Kroc School as a San Diego Community Scholar Fellow. She looks forward to deepening her impact, expanding her knowledge, and contributing to lasting, equitable change through this exciting next chapter.
Jesus Martin Gallegos-Munoz
Jesus Martin is a dedicated advocate for civic engagement, immigrant justice, and youth empowerment. A South Bay native and son of immigrant parents, he uses his lived experience to uplift marginalized and disenfranchised communities through grassroots organizing and policy advocacy. As Community Organizing Coordinator at the Chicano Federation, he leads a youth leadership program and develops transitional & restorative justice programs for immigrants and diaspora communities across San Diego. He previously worked at Al Otro Lado, earning DOJ Accredited Representation to support asylum seekers in immigration court. Jesus Martin serves in key leadership roles as Chair of the San Diego Community Colleges Trustee Advisory Council, Commissioner for the City of San Diego, and Board Member for RISE San Diego - where he advocates for authentic youth representation. He holds a B.A. in International Politics and Latin American Studies from UC San Diego, and is excited to pursue his Master's in Conflict Management and Resolution at the University of San Diego to promote peace and justice across our diverse region.
Rachel Oporto
Rachel is a dedicated Linda Vista resident, and lifelong relationship builder. She leads the San Diego Food System Alliance's community mobilization and advocacy work, and serves as Co-President of Love, Linda Vista, a small nonprofit that hosts the Linda Vista Farmers Market. Through strong connections to food and culture, Rachel seeks to shift power, build bridges, and cultivate a local food system owned and led by the community.
Rachel first graduated from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco with a degree in Culinary Arts. Later attending UC San Diego completing a degree in SocioCultural Anthropology, focusing on social justice and gender studies. Rachel’s experience in the food service industry and nonprofit sector informed her career pathways to be part of building equitable and just systems. With a passion for community-led decision making and a desire to foster meaningful relationships, Rachel brings an essential compassion based approach to her work.
Rosa Olascoaga Vidal
Rosa Olascoaga Vidal is a San Diego native from City Heights. She is the Deputy Chief of Strategic Initiatives for the City of San Diego’s Council District 9 Office. Rosa has extensive background in community organizing, community development, and local government. She began organizing at 13 years old by helping secure a City Heights skatepark and Youth Opportunity Passes for San Diego County. Throughout her career, Rosa has advanced transportation justice, housing, community development, climate equity, policies and initiatives.
Tamara Y. Craver
Tamara Y. Craver, a two-time recipient of the San Diego Business Journal’s CEO of the Year Award, is the President & CEO of Reality Changers. She has more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, executive leadership, and youth development.
Since joining the Reality Changers team in 2019, Ms. Craver has guided the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, overseen the implementation of a five-year strategic plan, and established an endowment for the organization. Programs and partnerships have grown under her leadership, bolstered by funding from new sources, including a $2 million grant from Yield Giving, the foundation of MacKenzie Scott.
Ms. Craver is actively involved in the community, serving on the boards of LEAD, AFP-San Diego, and the UCSD Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board. She is a member of the San Diego Downtown Rotary Club and serves as Executive Chair for the Hoover Community Collaborative.
Learn more about our San Diego Community Scholars Fellowship.
