Currently serving as an Organizational Development Specialist in the Energy Industry, Jesse brings a wealth of experience to leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Jesse is the child of immigrants from Mexico as well as a first-generation college student. He has been heavily involved with college access programs such as Upward Bound as both a student and a staff member. He also had the opportunity to serve in the United State Peace Corps from 2005 to 2007 as a teacher resource in the country of South Africa. His experience at South Dakota State University as the Minority Student Recruiter has given him insight on recruiting students of color. Jesse earned his BA in Biology with a minor in Physics from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jesse also holds a M.Ed. in Student Affairs Administration from South Dakota State University where he emphasized student racial and cultural identity development. Jesse is certified in administering the EQ-i2.0, a tool used to measure emotional intelligence as well as a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), which measures cultural competence.

Jesse is originally from Colorado and misses seeing mountains. However, he has come to appreciate the beauty and overall accessibility of the Black Hills. Although Jesse enjoys running, birding, and knitting, his true passion is spending time with his family. He enjoys hiking in the hills with his partner Emily and three children, Cecilia, Manny, Xavier as well as the family collie named Galena.