Connect with DPE Staff

José F. Martínez, Lee Teng-hui Professor in Engineering 

Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Academic Affairs

José Martínez is Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He graduated in Computer Science & Engineering (“Licenciado en Informática de Sistemas”) from the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (Spain), and earned MS and PhD degrees in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign. His research is in computer architecture—how to design faster, more energy-efficient microprocessors and computer systems based on them. José enjoys music of all kinds, audiobooks, and travel. He used to play the drums (terrible) and compete in autocross racing (decent), but hasn’t found much time to do either lately.

martinez@cornell.edu

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His

Sonya Cunningham

Director of Diversity Programs in Engineering

Sonya Cunningham has over 20 years of success in higher education leadership - directing, managing, and supporting critical initiatives while working with diverse student populations, colleagues, and academic departments.  Serving as Cornell Engineering’s newest Director of Diversity Programs in Engineering, she hopes to continue to envision, design, assess, refine, and expand cutting-edge approaches for supporting students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.  Deeply passionate about equity, access, and inclusion, most of her higher education experience has involved supporting students from underserved backgrounds and helping institutions improve in this area.  Sonya previously held positions at the University of Washington, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Colorado. She received her B.S. in English from St. Lawrence University and an M.S. in Higher Education Administration and Policy Studies from SUNY-Albany. Here in Diversity Programs in Engineering, she is striving to cultivate inclusive excellence throughout the community.

p. (607) 255-7514

e. sgc95@cornell.edu

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Cindy Mosqueda Campbell

Associate Director 

Director of Inclusive Graduate Pathway Programs

Cindy Mosqueda Campbell has dedicated her career to diversity issues in higher education, specifically in STEM fields. Cindy was born and raised in Los Angeles. She earned a B.A. in Chicana/o Studies and Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Cindy also earned a M.A. in Education from the UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies. Outside of work, Cindy enjoys cheering for the LA Dodgers, writing, running after her toddlers, and discussing books, movies, and music with her husband.

cmm522@cornell.edu

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Nadine Porter

Associate Director

Director of Inclusive Academic Student Success

Nadine Porter has over 14 years of experience in advising students in her former role as the Undergraduate Coordinator for Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell.  Her career is dedicated to helping students achieve their goals while at Cornell and beyond.  She strives to provide a safe space where students are heard and can freely express themselves without any judgment.  Born and raised in St. Croix, the largest of the three US Virgin Islands, she is the oldest of five children. At age 18 she left home to attend Wesley College in Dover, DE where she earned a Bachelors in Business Management and an Associates in Spanish. She was the first in her family to attend college.

ndp5@cornell.edu

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Samuel Bligen III

Assistant Director 

As the Assistant Director of Inclusive Graduate Student Success & ACS Ezra’s Bridge Program (ezrasbridge), Samuel assists the college in managing and executing the Ezra’s Bridge Program, as well as graduate and undergraduate student success initiatives. Samuel earned his Bachelor’s from SUNY Oswego and his MSW from Binghamton University in 2015.  He has significant experience working with students at the K-12, undergraduate and graduate levels but also working with students and families within the community during his tenure as a District Community Schools Social Worker & Coordinator. Samuel has also served as an Adjunct Lecturer, Program Creator/ Developer /Director and as an Associate Director in the Multicultural Resource Center within the department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).  

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His

sb2557@cornell.edu

Chris Casler-Gonçalves, Ed.D.

Assistant Director 

As a lifelong student advocate and educator, Chris has dedicated his career to ensuring that all students have access to transformative educational experiences that support intellectual and agency development and individual goal attainment.  Chris manages the Bridges Scholars Program, the Simmons Scholars Program, the CU EMPower peer mentorship program, CATALYST Academy, and serves as an instructor in the College of Engineering.  In partnership with several community-based and professional organizations, Chris leverages his community leadership positions to bolster access to higher education for students from minoritized backgrounds, and to improve care for neurodivergent children and children experiencing disabilities.  Chris holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College, an M.A. from Seton Hall University, and a doctorate from NYU.  Outside of Cornell, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, and playing sports!

cc2445@cornell.edu

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His

Dora Penavić

Program Coordinator

Dora received her BA in Chemistry & Chemical Biology from Cornell University, after which she served in AmeriCorps where she led the creation of a community based experiential training program in Waterbury, CT. Here with DPE, she manages the CURIE program and supports DPE Student Leaders. She is also spearheading program development for supporting women in Engineering. 

Jo Shoemaker

Office Coordinator

Jo Shoemaker has worked as an administrative staff member at Cornell University for four years, since earning their B.A. at Ithaca College in the Class of 2017. Their goal is to foster and maintain the respectful and compassionate space in the DPE office, 146 Olin Hall.