Rodnesha “Nesha” Hill is a Job Developer/Placement Coordinator in Career Education at Mt. San Jacinto Community College. With over 15 years of experience in K–12 and higher education, she has supported students through instructional, behavior analysis, career development, and Career/Transfer services.
She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and holds a master’s degree in Community College Counseling/Student Development and a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Ethnic Studies. Her diverse professional experiences in behavior analysis and student services have provided her with valuable insight into supporting students from a holistic and student-centered perspective.
Hill’s leadership style is collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented. She believes effective leadership begins with listening, building meaningful relationships, creating opportunities for others to grow, and ensuring that student voices remain at the center of decision-making.

As a professional with over 35 years of various Management, Leadership, Specialist, and accounting work experience; the past 10 years, I have dedicated my career to supporting students at the community college level. Throughout this time, I have held various student facing positions, where I have had the privilege of helping students navigate their educational journey.

In my current position, as Employer Engagement Manager, I work diligently to bridge the gap between employers and our talented students. My passion for connecting people and opportunities motivates me to strive to create meaningful partnerships that benefit both our students and the business community.

Shelly has served at Mt. San Antonio College for the past nine years and is currently a Special Project Manager in the School of Continuing Education, where she leads the development and implementation of healthcare apprenticeship programs. Previously, she served as a Coordinator in the Short-Term Vocational Department, supporting workforce training initiatives that prepare students for in-demand careers.

Dedicated to student success and campus engagement, Shelly actively volunteers for numerous college events, committees, and special initiatives. She continues to serve as a committed member of the Basic Needs Workgroup, advocating for resources that support student well-being and success.

Before joining Mt. SAC, Shelly served as the School-to-Career Liaison and Business Development Strategist at La Puente Valley Regional Occupational Program (ROP), where she strengthened partnerships between education and industry. She also worked for the SELACO Workforce Investment Board, administering a state discretionary grant and leading a research initiative focused on addressing the needs of the long-term unemployed. Earlier in her career, she was the Training and Services Manager at LA Works, overseeing workforce development programs that connected job seekers with training and employment opportunities.

She has more than 25 years of experience in workforce development and higher education, designing and implementing programs for youth and adults, cultivating strong employer and community partnerships, and expanding access to education and career pathways. She has also served as a Board Member of the California Placement Association (CPA) for the past five years.

Sixteen years ago, this Idaho native found herself relocating to sunny California. Her degree in communications, combined with previous experience as a corrections officer led her to a new career helping individuals to secure competitive employment in Kern County. Jessica has been successful in finding work opportunities for adults on felony probation, and adults with disabilities. For the past six years she has tirelessly assisted Bakersfield College students in transitioning from their educational journey to their chosen profession through resume guidance, honing interviewing techniques, and developing interpersonal skills. In addition, Ms. McGrath supports the Allied Health programs at the college. She organizes and hosts career fairs and network connections throughout the community to link students with their dream jobs.

As a Board Member of the California Placement Association, Sara Rivas specializes in bridging the gap between Calbright College and workforce partners. Her focus is on creating strategic workforce connections, bringing employers and industry leaders together to inform curriculum development and ensure students are equipped with in-demand skills. Sara Rivas also plays a key role in partnership development, helping foster collaborations across campus and connecting key partners to advance the college’s mission.

In addition to their work in workforce development, Sara serves as the DJ for CPA conferences since 2018, mixing at the President’s Reception Mixer and helping shape the overall event experience for attendees.

Megan Romero serves as the Director of the Center for Independent Living (CIL) at Taft College, where she leads innovative programs that empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve greater independence, meaningful employment, and successful participation in postsecondary education and community life. In this role, she oversees the Transition to Independent Living (TIL) Program and provides strategic leadership for a multidisciplinary team dedicated to person-centered services, student success, and inclusive opportunities.
With more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience in the developmental disabilities field, Megan has built a career focused on creating pathways for individuals to reach their fullest potential. Throughout her career, she has held leadership positions with Kern Regional Center, California MENTOR, and Taft College, where she has successfully directed large-scale programs, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, developed community partnerships, implemented innovative service models, and ensured compliance with state and federal regulations.
Since joining Taft College, Megan has led the expansion of services through new Department of Developmental Services initiatives, including Tailored Day Services, Coordinated Career Pathways, and Coordinated Family Supports. She has also secured significant grant funding, strengthened regional partnerships, expanded employment opportunities for students, and helped position the TIL Program as a statewide leader in inclusive postsecondary education. Under her leadership, the program continues to grow while maintaining a strong commitment to individualized support, community integration, and measurable student outcomes.
Megan earned a Master of Science in Developmental Disabilities with a concentration in Adult Services and Transition from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies from California State University, Bakersfield. Her educational background, combined with extensive experience in direct services, administration, program development, and executive leadership, provides a comprehensive understanding of the systems that support individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan.
Known for her collaborative leadership style, Megan is passionate about building high-performing teams, cultivating community partnerships, and developing innovative solutions that remove barriers and create opportunities for individuals with disabilities. She believes every person deserves the opportunity to learn, work, live independently, and actively contribute to their community, and she remains committed to advancing inclusive practices that transform lives.

Rosa Asencio earned her Master’s Degree in Leadership and Management from the University
of La Verne. She currently works at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC). At Mt. SAC Rosa serves on several campus governance committees. Serving as the Co-Chair on the Campus Equity and Diversity Committee she works with campus colleagues to foster a climate of equal access and opportunity in the campus workforce. As the Co-Chair on the Classified Professional Development Committee she advises the campus Professional and Organizational Development department in providing professional development opportunities for staff. In 2014 she coordinated the first ever Classified Professional Development-Day. This annual event provides a full day of professional development activities for the entire Classified staff.

Rosa also serves her campus colleagues as the 1st Vice President on her local Chapter. On the State level she is the Area G Representative on the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Community College Committee addressing concerns at the community colleges.

Rosa has served on the California Placement Association for over 14 years. She has held executive board positions as the President, Past President, Vice President South, Treasurer and is currently the Education Partner Representative for the Southern Section. Rosa is also the hotel liaison for the CPA annual conference and board transition meeting. She received the Joan Crocker Service Award for Leadership in 2014.

Jaime Valdez Jr. has dedicated 25 years to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, currently serving as Junior Vice President of Employment Services. His extensive experience includes roles such as Instructor, Program Coordinator, and Associate Director, where he manages programs like Tailored Day Services and Supported Employment. Over the past eight years, Jaime has successfully secured numerous internships and job placements for individuals with disabilities in Kern County. He actively participates in the H.I.R.E. committee and helps organize the Mayor’s Luncheon to honor inclusive employers. Additionally, Jaime will join the executive board as Partner Representative for the Central Section of the California Placement Association in July 2024. Beyond his professional achievements, he is also a well-known entrepreneur and entertainer in the community, celebrated as Bo-Bo The Millennium Clown.

Retired December 2018 as Job Placement Director at Antelope Valley College. Has over twenty-nine years’ experience helping people find career driven employment. Has supervised up to 130 people in a 14,000 plus-student population. Directly responsible for the promotion of students and community via semiannual Job Fairs as well as arranged targeted recruitments for businesses.

Created Job Fair 101 workshops, resume workshops, and classroom job search orientations. Support youth employment programs through the local Americas Job Centers. Had written or assisted with the writing of nearly $5M in various state or federal grants. Am the Past President of the California Placement Association for 2004-06 and 2017-18.

Specialties: Managing and creating programs, matching people to jobs, working with companies, organizations, individuals, agencies at finding quality employees. Is able to visualize success; look for the strengths in others and how those strengths can benefit an employer or how a company can benefit with connection to an agency.