About Us - EDvolution

About Us

EDvolution is comprised of a team with over 200 combined years of experience in higher education, the private and non-profit sectors, and in public policy. With the bulk of their professional experience being in the field of higher education, the EDvolution team has a strong belief that all professional engagements begin with the process of self-education about an organization’s vision, context, and proposed solutions. This process of self-education informs all of our work.

Core Values

Integrity
Civility
Creativity
Relevancy
Efficiency
Inclusiveness

Our Team

	José Martínez-Saldaña , M.Ed. \| President José Martínez-Saldaña has been successfully developing and executing diversity programs and initiatives for over 25 years in both the public and private sectors. Mr. Martínez-Saldaña has been successful in acquiring over $46 million dollars in grants for organizations. His expertise in providing solutions to diverse communities has been recognized by Former United States Vice President Dan Quayle, United States Congressman Sam Farr, former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta, the California State Assembly and Senate, and various local California city councils and organizations. Mr. Martínez-Saldaña has served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE), President of the Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel (WESTOP) and as board member of numerous other organizations. Mr. Martínez-Saldaña is a frequent speaker, trainer and presenter at professional conferences. Most recently, Mr. Martínez-Saldaña has been sought after as a consultant for small business and economic development efforts in the Central California region he calls home. Mr. Martínez-Saldaña earned his B.S. in Political Science from Santa Clara University and M.Ed. from American Inttical Science from Santa Clara University and M.Ed. from American InterContinental University. He also has graduate coursework from the University of California, Berkeley and San Jose State University.
	Jesus Martínez-Saldaña , Ph.D. \| Senior Consultant Dr. Martínez-Saldaña has decades of professional experience in academia, the policymaking process, and as a researcher, writer and consultant. He is well qualified to assist public, educational, non-profit, private organizations and agencies in the creation of innovative and effective solutions to their policy, research, advocacy, program design and evaluation, educational, training and informational needs. Dr. Martínez-Saldaña’s work includes teaching at Fresno State University and Santa Clara University. His research and writing on immigration policy is frequently cited by media and academia, including the Woodrow Wilson Center. Dr. Martínez-Saldaña’s consultant focus has been on entrepreneurship development, workforce assessment & training, conducting focus groups, and writing. He is a frequent panelist and keynote speaker on a wide range of topics. Dr. Martínez-Saldaña earned a B.S. in Political Science from Santa Clara University, an M.A. in Latin American Studies and his Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
	Ralph Topete , M.A. \| Consultant Mr. Topete has worked in education for almost two decades in a variety of capacities. His training includes a teaching credential in Special Education. Mr. Topete has been a classroom teacher and administrator in K-12 and has also worked administering federal grants at the community and university level. Mr. Topete has worked with school districts and TRIO programs in various capacities as teacher, trainer and administrator for almost 20 years. Currently, he consults with EDvolution. Previously, he directed four TRIO programs at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) Center for Academic Outreach and provided training for the University of Puerto Rico, Humacao’s TRIO programs. He has taught in Los Angeles schools and served as special education coordinator for the Los Angeles school district. He also acted as coordinator for the Upward Bound/Veterans Upward Bound programs at The East Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU). The first in his family to earn a four-year degree, Mr. Topete earned a B.A. in sociology from Pomona College, a teaching certificate from California State University, and an M.A. in educational leadership and workforce education from UNLV.
	Evelyn Rivera Torres, Ed.D. \| Consultant Dr. Rivera Torres has worked in many positions, most significantly as a public schoolteacher; director of training and personnel development at the State Water and Sewer Authority; as a psychologist; educational trainer and facilitator; director of Talent Search program since 1995; professor of social sciences courses, and a counselor for an adult students program. She has been a member of the Caribbean Association of TRIO Programs since 1995. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in social psychology, and a doctorate in counseling, all from the University of Puerto Rico.
	Jose A. Vargas-Figueroa, Ph.D. \| Consultant Dr. Vargas has worked for ASPIRA Inc. of Puerto Rico, a Latino nonprofit organization in Puerto Rico since 1989, when he began work in ASPIRA’s Talent Search program. He obtained a B.S. in psychology in 1984 from the Pontifical University of Puerto Rico, a master’s degree in industrial organizational Psychology at the Caribbean Center for Advanced Studies (now Carlos Albizu University) in San Juan and a Ph.D. in industrial organizational psychology from the same institution.
	Cesar T. Velazquez \| Consultant Mr. Velazquez has served as Upward Bound Coordinator at CSU Monterey Bay since 2001. He has been a trainer, presenter and mentor for young educators. Previously Mr. Velazquez has worked with Summer Bridge, Educational Talent Search and the Academic Skills Achievement Programs at CSUMB. Mr. Velazquez received his B.A. in Liberal Studies from California State University, Monterey Bay and his M.A. from San Jose State University.
	Rey Martínez \| Events Coordinator Mr. Martinez has worked in the entertainment industry for 20 years where he has planned, organized and implemented hundreds of events ranging in size from small and intimate to groups of hundreds.