| | Staff |  | The staff of MMEP is a group of dedicated and passionate individuals who tirelessly pursue the organization’s mission. Each individual comes with his or her own unique style, expertise, and character, enriching the flavor of our work and the staff itself.
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Carlos Mariani, executive directorJennifer Godinez, associate directorAmanda Ziebell-Finley, program associateCaren Custer, office administratorCarlos Mariani, executive director
 Carlos Mariani was named executive director in 1997. Prior to joining MMEP he served as director of Hispanic Ministry for the Minnesota Council of Churches and as interim director for the Minnesota Hispanic Education Program. A recognized leader in the nonprofit and public sectors, he has spent more than 25 years advocating on behalf of communities of color.
Over the years Carlos has been active in several community-based organizations and has served on the boards of the St. Paul Children’s Initiative the West Side Health Clinic Capital Campaign Committee. He currently serves on the boards of the Rainbow Research and Minnesota Council on Economic Education. Carlos is also a founding member of the Saint Paul Foundation’s “El Fondo” Endowment Committee.
Elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1990, Carlos continues to represent Saint Paul district 65B. He serves as chair of the E-12 Education Policy Committee, as a member of the MN Dept. of Education’s graduation assessment working group, and is a member of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO). His efforts in the House have focused on issues which greatly impact urban and minority communities including: education, public transit, housing and economic development.
Community Involvement
- MIGIZI Communications, Inc. Board of Directors
Awards & Recognition
- Outstanding Advocacy as a Legislator, Literacy Minnesota, 2009
- Distinguished Alumni Citizen Award, Macalester College
- Mondale Policy Fellow, HHH Institute, University of Minnesota
- U.S. Delegation of American Council of Young Political Leaders, exchange to Argentina and Uruguay
- Legislator of the Year Award, MN Alliance for Progressive Action
- Courage of Conscience Award, Jobs Now Coalition
Education
B.A. in History, Macalester College
Contact Carlos |
Jennifer Godinez, associate director
Jennifer Godinez is associate director of Minnesota Minority Education Partnership, Inc. (MMEP) and director of Minnesota College Access Network (MCAN), an initiative of MMEP. Prior to joining MMEP she served as executive director of La Escuelita and is founding chair of the Latino Scholarship Fund of Minnesota. She has in-depth experience in youth development, college access program development and education policy development.
Through the MCAN initiative, she leads advisors and staff in building a network to support college access efforts statewide with program development services and advice on messaging college information for more diverse youth in Minnesota. MCAN also works with community leaders to establish college access centers in high opportunity communities—including a college access center at Neighborhood House in Saint Paul, a new college access pathway in St. Cloud, and efforts within the Saint Paul library system. Jennifer is frequently asked to speak to diverse audiences on college access and emerging demographic shifts in the Midwest.
In 2004, Jennifer was appointed to serve as a commissioner on the Minnesota Out-of-School Time Commission. She serves on the Advisory Council for the new dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. Godinez also co-chaired the College Access Working Group on the Minnesota P-16 Education Council. Board member experience for various educational entities includes: El Colegio Charter School, the Latino Scholarship Fund of Minnesota and Achieve! Minneapolis. At the national level, Jennifer served on Excelencia en Education’s “Promising Practices” event planning committee.
Community Involvement
- Citizens League, Executive Board Member
- Latino Economic Development Center, Board Chair
- Northside Achievement Zone, Coordinating Committee Member
Awards & Recognitions
- Distinguished Alumnus Award, National Hispanic Institute, Nov. 2009
- Minority Business Executive, Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, June 2009
- German Marshall Memorial Fellow, fall 2008
- “25 on the Rise,” MN Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Leader of the Year, La Prensa de Minnesota
Specialized Training
- Anthropology and Spanish language, School for International Training, Oaxaca, Mexico
Education
- B.A. in Sociology, Drake University
- M.A. in Public Administration, Public Policy with concentrations in education policy and nonprofit management, HHH Institute, University of Minnesota
Contact Jennifer |
Amanda Ziebell-Finley, program associate
Amanda Ziebell-Finley, a passionate advocate for college access, has been with MMEP since 2008. Amanda works with college access programs, partners and policymakers across the state through the Minnesota College Access Network (MCAN) initiative to provide technical assistance, professional development, capacity building and network development.
With more than 10 years working in youth development, college access and higher education, Amanda recognizes the many economic, social and systemic barriers that exist for Minnesotan students of all backgrounds. It is her dream that every student in our state will have the resources, preparation and support needed to access the life-changing benefits of education. She knows first-hand hand how important preparation and support is being a first generation student herself.
Community Involvement
- Citizens League
- MN Association of Financial Aid Administrator, Early Awareness Committee
- New American Services Collaborative
- “I Know I Can” campaign
Education
- B.A. Political Science and proficiency certificate in Spanish, Hamline University
- M.A. Organizational Leadership and Ethics and Leadership, St. Catherine University
Contact Amanda |
Caren Custer, office administrator
Caren Custer was hired as office administrator in November 2007. In this role she provides office operations, staff and board support, and is responsible for the organization’s website and publication of Synergy, the quarterly newsletter. Prior to joining MMEP, she worked as administrative/executive assistant for the Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF).
From fall 1998 to summer 2004, she worked for the Minneapolis Public Schools as an education assistant. Caren also spent one year with a commercial real estate publication where she gained experience with the publishing process and was responsible for assembling people and news features and assisted with editing; while in this position she also served as communications and marketing assistant.
Awards & Recognitions
- Hoversten Peace Scholarship
- Recommended for summa cum laude, March 2010
Education
- B.A. in History, pending, Augsburg College
Contact Caren |
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