Omar Ornelas
Vice President of Programs
Omar Ornelas is the Vice President of Programs at Stockton Scholars. He has a strong background in leadership, program management, and community engagement. His previous roles include Associate Director of Stockton Service Corps, Director of Program Applications at Teach for America, and Vice-Mayor for the City of Lathrop. Omar is passionate about creating lasting, equitable impact within the Stockton community.
Omar Ornelas
Vice President of Programs
Omar Ornelas is the Associate Director of Stockton Service Corps. As an AmeriCorps Alumni, he believes deeply in the power of service and volunteerism. Omar has over 7 years of experience in the nonprofit and AmeriCorps world and is excited to support the work being done by the Stockton community. In his freetime, he supports the Alternatives to Violence Project in Stockton and the surrounding communities.
Michelle DiGuilio
Associate Director
Michelle DiGuilio is a mission-driven leader with a proven record of advancing organizational effectiveness and project management that drives local change and equity. She has developed programs for the University of the Pacific, Delta College, the City of Stockton Fire Department, and CAL FIRE’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, and has worked on sustainability initiatives in Mexico, Thailand, and Indonesia. Michelle holds a B.A. in Communications and International Relations from UC San Diego and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Cincinnati. She also served as a Commissioner on California’s inaugural Citizens Redistricting Commission, advancing fair representation and good governance. Based in Stockton, Michelle enjoys supporting local sports, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her husband and their four children.
Michelle DiGuilio
Associate Director
Michelle DiGuilio is a mission-driven leader with a proven record of advancing organizational effectiveness and project management that drives local change and equity. She has developed programs for the University of the Pacific, Delta College, the City of Stockton Fire Department, and CAL FIRE’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, and has worked on sustainability initiatives in Mexico, Thailand, and Indonesia. Michelle holds a B.A. in Communications and International Relations from UC San Diego and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Cincinnati.
Dayaneira Jerez
Scholarship Operations Manager
Dayaneira Jerez is a first-gen student who calls the Bay Area home. She graduated from Chico State University with a Business Administration Marketing degree and Seufferlein Sales certification. Post-graduation she interned as a Product Manager at Tri Counties Bank and then moved to Roseville, CA to work as a Technical Recruiter with a specialization in the Software Engineering space. In her free time she is likely purchasing new plants, playing golf or discovering something new. She’s excited to share her experiences and add value to the Stockton Community.
Dayaneira Jerez
Scholarship Operations Manager
Dayaneira Jerez is a first-gen student who calls the Bay Area home. She graduated from Chico State University with a Business Administration Marketing degree and Seufferlein Sales certification. Post-graduation she interned as a Product Manager at Tri Counties Bank and then moved to Roseville, CA to work as a Technical Recruiter with a specialization in the Software Engineering space. In her free time she is likely purchasing new plants, playing golf or discovering something new. She’s excited to share her experiences and add value to the Stockton Community.
Kathy Tran
College Access & Recruitment Manager
Kathy was raised in Stockton and graduated Edison High School in the class of 2020. She went on to pursue her bachelors at UC Santa Barbara and graduated in the year 2024. She was a previous Stockton Scholar during her time in college at UC Santa Barbara and a College Ambassador during her 3rd and 4th year. She is excited to continue her journey with advocacy for higher education post-grad.
KATHY TRAN
College Access & Recruitment Manager
Kathy was raised in Stockton and graduated Edison High School in the class of 2020. She went on to pursue her bachelors at UC Santa Barbara and graduated in the year 2024. She was a previous Stockton Scholar during her time in college at UC Santa Barbara and a College Ambassador during her 3rd and 4th year. She is excited to continue her journey with advocacy for higher education post-grad.
Brittany Vang
Scholarship Operations Analyst
brittany@stocktonscholars.org
Brittany was born and raised in Stockton, CA, and is a first-generation college graduate from UC Davis with a Community & Regional Development major and a minor in Geographic Studies. Her academic and professional career has focused on researching neighborhood-level inequalities and leveraging data-driven planning and decision-making to drive positive change. As a Stockton Scholars Alumna, She is passionate about higher education and community service.
Scott Poulos
Student Engagement and Persistence Manager
Scott is originally from Illinois and has lived in California for 8 years now. I’m a proud Girl Dad, as my wife and I have two amazing daughters and reside here in Stockton. As a family, we enjoy traveling and eating at new restaurants. I am an avid sports fan who cheers for the SF Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Brittany Vang
Scholarship Operations Analyst
Brittany was born and raised in Stockton, CA, and is a first-generation college graduate from UC Davis with a Community & Regional Development major and a minor in Geographic Studies. Her academic and professional career has focused on researching neighborhood-level inequalities and leveraging data-driven planning and decision-making to drive positive change. As a Stockton Scholars Alumna, She is passionate about higher education and community service.
Scott Poulos
Student Engagement and Persistence Manager
Scott is originally from Illinois and has lived in California for 8 years now. I’m a proud Girl Dad, as my wife and I have two amazing daughters and reside here in Stockton. As a family, we enjoy traveling and eating at new restaurants. I am an avid sports fan who cheers for the SF Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia 76ers.
