Molly Ayers
Senior Director
Molly has over ten years of experience in higher education and the field of civic engagement. As director, she provides leadership and direction to Gonzaga University’s Center for Community Engagement (CCE) by working with colleagues across campus and partners in the local community to develop academic and co-curricular engagement opportunities that help address community need. Her passion for this work was first ignited when she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA coordinating service-learning projects for Seattle-based Alliance for Education. Molly is a graduate of Gonzaga University with a BA in History and an MA in Philosophy. In addition to her work at CCE, she teaches, volunteers regularly, enjoys traveling, yoga, and spending time with her family. Molly can be reached at (509) 313-6396 or ayers@gonzaga.edu.
Francis Argueta
AmeriCorp Community Outreach VISTA
Francis graduated from Gonzaga in 2019 with a B.A. in Communications. She is the Americorp Community Outreach VISTA this year and will be supporting CCE's Logan House, Summer Fellows, and food security programs across Northeast Spokane. In her spare time, you can find her studying for the LSAT. Francis can be reached at argueta@gonzaga.edu
Kathy Au
College Access Corps AmeriCorps
Kathy Au graduated from Gonzaga in May 2019 with a BA in Philosophy and minors in Sociology and Criminal Justice. She moved to Spokane in 2008 and has lived in the greater Hillyard neighborhood since. Kathy is rooted in her passion for community, which has led her to apply for CCE’s AmeriCorps College Access Corps position. Through AmeriCorps, she works at the elementary school level with the Campus Kids, SMILE, and Zag Study Buddies programs. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, cooking, and watching movies. Kathy can be reached at (509) 313-5524 or au@gonzaga.edu.
Emily Banick
Campus Kitchen Program Manager
Emily is the Program Manager for the Campus Kitchen at Gonzaga University. The Campus Kitchens Project utilizes food recovered from on-campus dining facilities to strengthen bodies, empower the minds of student volunteers, and build communities. Emily graduated from Gonzaga with a BA in General Studies and an Elementary Education Endorsement. Contact Emily for current volunteer opportunities at (509) 313-6939 or at banick@gonzaga.edu.
Andrea Davis
College Access Corps AmeriCorps
Andrea Davis is an AmeriCorps College Access Corps Coordinator serving with Garry Middle School, specifically through Connections, GAME, and Eye to Eye. She is a proud dyslexic who graduated from Gonzaga University in 2017 with a degree in Communication Studies. She is a passionate disability advocate who loves to talk about accessibility, equity, and inclusion. In her free time, you can find her listening to audiobooks, writing poetry, and watching Parks and Rec. You can reach her at (509) 313-6820 or davisa@gonzaga.edu.
Gabbi Fuller
College Access Corps AmeriCorps
Gabbi is an AmeriCorps College Access Coordinator serving with the elementary youth programs, SMILE, Campus Kids, and Zag Study Buddies. She graduated in May 2019 from Gonzaga with a BA in Sociology and Criminal Justice. In free time, she spends time with her kitten, Pepper, reads, and watches Netflix and Disney Plus. Gabbi can be best reached at (509) 313-4604 or fullerg@gonzaga.edu.
Trevor Iwata
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Trevor grew up in Lake Arrowhead, a small mountain town in Southern California, before moving to Walla Walla, WA, to attend college and begin a career path in steel manufacturing. Nearly ten years later, he moved to the "big city" of Spokane to work for the Kalispel Tribe. Living in small towns all of his life, he deeply understands the importance of bringing people together with programs intended to support our communities. Aside from loving the abundant outdoors that Washington has to offer, Trevor is a proud Eagle Scout with a passion for technical theater and contemporary art. He is honored to be a part of Opportunity Northeast and the Center for Community Engagement team and is excited to work with place-based community engagement in Spokane. Trevor can be reached at (509) 313-5893 or iwata@gonzaga.edu.
Dylan Jouliot
Data and Evaluation Analyst
Dylan is a proud Gonzaga graduate and is thrilled to be working at his alma mater. He has spent his career working in various aspects of data management and analysis in the private sector, including stops at T-Mobile and LEGO. He earned his Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from UCLA in 2018 and has been focused on working to improve city and community outcomes since then. While he's been working in the transportation sector the past two years, Dylan is excited for the opportunity to use data analysis to inform the work of improving health, education, and community engagement outcomes for Gonzaga’s neighbors and support Opportunity Northeast. Dylan can be reached at (509) 313-5867 or jouliot@gonzaga.edu.
Zinzi Kellen
Assistant Director of Campus Engagement
Zinzi was born and raised in South Africa. She has a Social Sciences Degree from Rhodes University. She volunteered and worked for several non-profit organizations in South Africa and has a deep passion for community engagement. She is particularly passionate about community led initiatives that are sustainable and tap into the natural assets of communities. Zinzi wanted to work for Opportunity Northeast because it reminds her of her African roots; of the village taking care of its people and of the South African concept of Ubuntu which means ‘I am because you are’. She is also thrilled to be joining the CCE team and be part of facilitating opportunities for the GU family to serve the community and truly live the Jesuit mission. She lives with her partner, two young children and her two dogs. Zinzi can be reached at (509) 313-6937 or kellen@gonzaga.edu.
Mary Kelly
Community Engaged Learning Coordinator
Mary enjoys working with the dynamic and committed staff and students at CCE. She joined the team in August 2010 and is happy to be back on campus working with the students of her alma mater. After Graduating with a BA in Speech Communications, Mary spent 2 ½ years in Niger serving as an Environmental Protection Volunteer with the Peace Corps. If you are considering post graduate service with Peace Corps, she invites you to stop by the office and talk. It was an amazing experience which she is happy to share. Mary likes gardening, sports, travel, and time in the great outdoors with her husband and their 4 energetic boys. Mary can be contacted at (509) 313-6824 or by email at kellym2@gonzaga.edu.
Julia Larsen
Program Assistant II
Julia joined CCE in August 2014 in the role of Program Assistant II for the mentoring programs. Since 2016 her role now provides support across all areas of CCE. Julia is British and has been a U.S. resident since 2006. She studied at Hitchin Girls School in Hertfordshire, England, where she graduated at the Advanced Level in English and Sociology. Following a 2-year period of traveling and working in Europe, Julia joined the Corporate Sector in the UK where she worked for many years. She is enjoying adapting her office & administration skills in the field of higher education while supporting the CCE team, and the mission of our students and Gonzaga. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, DIY projects, the beautiful Pacific Northwest and spending time with her husband and 3 kids (a son who is a High School sophomore & 8th grade twin daughters) Julia can be reached at (509) 313-6898 or at larsenj2@gonzaga.edu.
April Lopez
AmeriCorps Campus Kitchens Coordinator
April is the AmeriCorps Campus Kitchens Coordinator. She graduated from Gonzaga in the spring of 2019 with a BA in Business Administration, a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Communication Studies. As a former agricultural laborer, the importance of food security is something she is passionate about. Outside of work, she enjoys watching movies, listening to good music, reading, and writing. Her favorite band in the entire world: Panic! at the Disco. The best way to reach April is at (509) 313-7210 or lopeza2@gonzaga.edu.
Abigail Martin
Youth Programs Manager
Abbey has a background in education (she's taught every grade from Kindergarten through graduate school, across disciplines in general education and special education), policy studies and community development. She is interested in developing meaningful relationships and fostering healthy, diverse and inclusive communities. Abbey manages the elementary Youth Programs for CCE, and is thrilled to be part of this talented, compassionate and bright team. Outside of work, you can find her walking around West Central with her partner and two pups, Clementine and Malcolm. You can reach her at (509) 313-6828 or martina2@gonzaga.edu.
Anthony Medina
Assistant Director of Community Engaged Learning
Anthony works with the Community Engaged Learning programs and oversees the CCE’s marketing efforts. He joined the CCE Team in July of 2017. He received his BA in Communication from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and his MSEd in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. After completing his undergraduate studies, Anthony served as a Jesuit Volunteer as the Community Engagement Coordinator at a high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He enjoys hiking, reading, and having good conversations over lunch or coffee. Originally from Secaucus, New Jersey, Anthony is excited to explore Spokane and be a part of the Gonzaga family. Anthony can be reached at (509) 313-6487 or medinaa@gonzaga.edu.
Phoebe Oosterhuis
Business Manager
Phoebe joined CCE in July of 2012. Originally from Minneapolis, she moved to Spokane in 2010 when her husband accepted a professorship at Gonzaga. Although she misses her family and friends (but not the mosquitoes or humidity) in the Midwest, she has grown to love the inland northwest. Phoebe has a BA from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN and is currently pursuing a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga. When she is not at CCE, Phoebe enjoys hiking, cooking, crafting, yoga, performing in local theater, and spending time with her husband and son. Phoebe can be reached at (509) 313-6879 or oosterhuisp@gonzaga.edu.
Elizabeth Perez
College Access Corps AmeriCorps
Elizabeth is an AmeriCorps College Access Corps Coordinator serving with Shaw Middle School, specifically through the Connections, GAME, and Zag Study Buddies programs. She graduated from Gonzaga in the spring of 2020 with a BA in Political Science and Economics. She enjoys watching sports, reading books, traveling, and exploring Spokane with her friends. Elizabeth can be reached at (509) 313-4605 or pereze2@gonzaga.edu.
Darcy Phillips
Service Immersion Program Manager
Darcy joined the CCE team in August 2015 as the Service Immersion Program Manager. Prior to her time with the CCE, she served as the In-Country Director for Rostro de Cristo, a post graduate volunteer program, in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She received her BA in Spanish from Xavier University and her MA in Social Justice from Loyola University Chicago. She is excited to be at Gonzaga and to explore the Northwest! Darcy can be reached at (509) 313-5543 or phillipsd@gonzaga.edu.
Brandi Praytor-Marsters
Assistant Director of Youth Programs
Brandi joined the CCE team in 2014 and supervises four youth programs and initiatives: Connections, GAME, Eye to Eye, and Sparks. She completed three terms of service for the Federal Way Public Schools AmeriCorps team after receiving a BS in Sociology from the University of Idaho. She is working toward a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership through Gonzaga University. Brandi enjoys spending time with her kiddo, reading, and exploring Spokane and the greater PNW . You can reach her at (509) 313-6486 or marsters@gonzaga.edu.
Bailley Wootton
Director of Strategic Planning
Bailley joined the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) in 2011 after working for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. As Associate Director, she supports CCE’s local co-curricular programs, resource development, and strategic partnerships and outreach initiatives, including the Hillyard Youth Collaborative. Bailley received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University and her master's degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. She is originally from Spokane and loves being back in the Northwest. Outside of work, Bailley spends her time with family and friends- chasing around her two young children, going to the Pend Oreille River, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and serving as an elder at her church. Bailley can be reached at (509) 313-6821 or wootton@gonzaga.edu.
