{"id":237,"date":"2023-03-08T23:04:01","date_gmt":"2023-03-08T23:04:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/?page_id=237"},"modified":"2026-04-08T20:47:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T20:47:21","slug":"staff","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/staff\/","title":{"rendered":"Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"  \n\n            \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--stacking-cards \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--stacking-cards\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n    \n            <div class=\"cards-container\">\n            \n                <div class=\"card\">\n\n                    <div class=\"title-description\">\n\n                                                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          Monica Garcia Prado, Associate Dean \n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n                                                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Pronouns: she\/her\/hers<\/p>\n<p><b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Monica Prado Garcia<\/b> serves as the Associate Dean for Academic Services. Prior to joining Dornsife, Monica served the USC community in both academic services and admission. She received her Master\u2019s of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (PASA) and Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD) from USC Rossier School of Education. Monica takes a solution-oriented and assets-based approach in supporting the operations of AIRE and affiliated centers. Monica hopes to foster a space in AIRE that connects students, staff and faculty in the pursuit of academic knowledge and excellence.<\/p>\n<p>In her free time, Monica enjoys reading, practicing yoga and spending time with her family and friends, especially her two toddlers.<\/p>\n<p>Email \ud83d\udce7 <a href=\"mailto:monicapr@usc.edu\">monicapr@usc.edu\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n\n\n                    \n                        \n                            \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2024\/07\/Moni-Headshot-768x1024.png\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2024\/07\/Moni-Headshot-1280x1707.png 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2024\/07\/Moni-Headshot-768x1024.png 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  alt=\"Monica Garcia Prado\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n\n                    \n                <\/div>\n\n            \n                <div class=\"card\">\n\n                    <div class=\"title-description\">\n\n                                                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          Melany Escobar, Academic Program Manager\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n                                                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Pronouns: she\/her\/hers<\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"91\" data-end=\"113\">Melany Escobar<\/strong> serves as the Academic Program Manager at Dornsife Academic Innovation and Research Engagement (AIRE). She received her B.A. from UC Santa Barbara, and her Master\u2019s of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from USC Rossier School of Education. Melany plans and manages events, oversees student workers, handles budgeting, and supports daily operations. She serves as the main point of contact and collaborates across departments to support academic programs and research initiatives.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In her free time, Melany enjoys exploring new coffee shops and taking walks by the beach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Email \ud83d\udce7 <a href=\"mailto:mgescoba@usc.edu\">mgescoba@usc.edu\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n\n\n                    \n                        \n                            \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2024\/07\/IMG_3264-1-e1775091732240.jpg\"\n                    sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  alt=\"Melany Escobar\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n\n                    \n                <\/div>\n\n            \n                <div class=\"card\">\n\n                    <div class=\"title-description\">\n\n                                                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          Thisuri Fonseka, Academic Program Specialist\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n                                                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Pronouns: she\/her\/hers<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thisuri Fonseka<\/strong> serves as the Academic Program Specialist at Dornsife Academic Innovation and Research Engagement (AIRE). She received her B.Sc. from Cal Poly Pomona and will receive her Master of Arts in Medieval History from the University of Birmingham (UK). In her role, Thisuri coordinates event logistics, supports program operations, manages expense reconciliation, and collaborates with student staff to advance AIRE\u2019s academic and research initiatives.<\/p>\n<p>Outside of work, she can usually be found with a good book or enjoying a video game.<\/p>\n<p>Email \ud83d\udce7 <a href=\"mailto:tfonseka@usc.edu\">tfonseka@usc.edu\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n\n\n                    \n                        \n                            \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2026\/04\/Website-Headshot-768x1024.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2026\/04\/Website-Headshot-1280x1707.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2026\/04\/Website-Headshot-768x1024.jpg 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n\n                    \n                <\/div>\n\n            \n        <\/div>\n    \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n        \n          \n          \n          \n          \n  \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--editorial-cards \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--editorial-cards\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          AIRE Student Workers \n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"cards-container\">\n      \n        <div class=\"card\">\n\n          \n                                      \n                \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-01-at-3.49.47-PM-1.png\"\n                    data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"text-container\">\n            \n                            <h3>\n                  \n                    Nahom Belay \n\n                                  <\/h3>\n            \n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p class=\"cvGsUA direction-ltr align-center para-style-body\"><span class=\"OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Major: <\/span><span class=\"OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Political Science \/ Business Law<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"cvGsUA direction-ltr align-center para-style-body\"><span class=\"OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Fun Fact: <\/span><span class=\"OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">I enjoy photography.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n      \n        <div class=\"card\">\n\n          \n                                      \n                \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-01-at-12.11.52-PM.png\"\n                    data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"text-container\">\n            \n                            <h3>\n                  \n                    Fatima Flores\n\n                                  <\/h3>\n            \n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Major: Data Science + Cognitive Science<\/p>\n<p>Fun Fact: I love going indoor cycling and baking<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n      \n        <div class=\"card\">\n\n          \n                                      \n                \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-16-at-10.20.19-AM.png\"\n                    data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"text-container\">\n            \n                            <h3>\n                  \n                    Kyuhong Lee\n\n                                  <\/h3>\n            \n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><span class=\"OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Major\/Minor: <\/span>Computer Science &amp; Fine Arts<\/p>\n<p>Fun Fact: Currently studying in both Viterbi and Roski!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n      \n        <div class=\"card\">\n\n          \n                                      \n                \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2025\/10\/admin-ajax-1.jpeg\"\n                    data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"text-container\">\n            \n                            <h3>\n                  \n                    Alazar Soloman \n\n                                  <\/h3>\n            \n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p class=\"cvGsUA direction-ltr align-center para-style-body\"><span class=\"OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Major\/Minor: <\/span><span class=\"OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Business Administration &amp; Legal Studies<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"cvGsUA direction-ltr align-center para-style-body\"><span class=\"OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Fun Fact: <\/span><span class=\"OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">I grew up in Ethiopia.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n      \n        <div class=\"card\">\n\n          \n          <div class=\"text-container\">\n            \n            \n                      <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":306,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-237","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Staff - Academic Innovation &amp; Research Engagement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/aire\/staff\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" 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