Rodolfo Acosta, PhD

Director

Rodolfo Acosta is the GEAR UP Director at the University of California Irvine in partnership with Compton Unified School District. He has been in education for 18 years serving in different ways. Rodolfo started his career in education as a 7th grade Math and Science teacher in a public school in the South Bronx. He continued as an educational administrator supporting various schools in Los Angeles County. His experiences in Los Angeles were transformational, leading him to pursue a doctorate degree in educational policy at the University of Southern California. His on-going work centers on how historically disenfranchised communities make sense and interpret education and schooling. Besides his work in GEAR UP, Rodolfo is an adjunct professor at California State University, Fullerton teaching future teachers and principals at the School of Education.  Beyond his passion for education, Rodolfo is a passionate boxing fan. On the weekends, he enjoys watching boxing with his baby girl.

Contact Rodolfo: acostar@uci.edu

Jocelyne Perez

Program Advisor at Centennial High School

Jocelyne is a program coordinator at Centennial High School. She attended UC Irvine and double majored in Psychology and Social Behavior and Education Sciences. During the course of her academic and professional career, Jocelyne has accrued valuable experience working with high school students through college access programs like EAOP and Upward Bound. Prior to her role with GEAR UP, she provided visa and immigration advising to the diverse group of international students and scholars at UCLA. Jocelyne is passionate about helping students reach their higher education and career goals and believes in a holistic approach to advising. As a first generation graduate, Jocelyne values educational access, campus and job equity, and cultural exchange. In her free time, you can find Jocelyne running a local race and practicing yoga. 

Contact Jocelyne: jocelyp2@uci.edu

Lindsay Martinez

Program Advisor at Davis Middle School, Rosecrans Elementary, and Dickison Elementary

Lindsay was born and raised in Southern California, where she attended a local community college before transferring to UC Irvine. There, she studied both Psychology and Education Sciences. As a college student, she was first connected to the GEAR UP program as a tutor. After graduating with a double BA, she continued her work with students in Compton as a program advisor. Lindsay is passionate about education and the opportunities it can bring students and families. In her free time, Lindsay loves reading and spending time with her dogs.

Contact Lindsay: lindsarm@uci.edu

Yuritzy Perez

Program Advisor at Laurel Elementary, Anderson Elementary, and Jefferson Elementary

Yuritzy was born and raised in Southern California. She attended Fullerton Community College before transferring to Cal State Channel Islands where she earned her BA in Education. However, she found a passion in the mental health field and worked as a behavioral specialist for 4 years before finding her way into Gear Up. Yuritzy finds her strengths are molding into the needs of different students, families, and communities. In her free time, she likes spending time at the beach, baking, and traveling. 

Contact Yuritzy: yuritzyp@uci.edu

Heidi Bivinetto

Program Advisor at Tibby Elementary, McKinley Elementary, and Carver Elementary

Heidi has worked as a middle school English teacher and a reading intervention teacher at both the elementary and middle school levels.   Passionate about literacy, Heidi received a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Reading and Literacy.  Leveraging her skills as a literacy specialist, Heidi has partnered with GEAR UP as a program coordinator to build her relationships with stakeholders in Compton Unified.  This position affords her greater opportunity to realize her goal of providing all students equitable access to higher education through the promotion of literacy.  In her free time Heidi is learning Italian and frequenting vintage shops to build her vinyl collection.

Contact Heidi: Hbivinet@uci.edu