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Board
2026-2027 Board
Rhiannon Morales, President
Rhiannon is a third-year part-time MPPA student and the eldest of five in a military family, fostering her strong sense of compassion and service. While earning her B.A. in Economics from CSU San Marcos, she was active in Associated Students, Inc., advocating for her peers and driving initiatives like a food pantry and diverse student spaces. An advocacy trip to Sacramento ignited her passion for democratic processes and policymaking, particularly in engaging women voters after the 2016 election.
Her dedication to public service includes mentoring youth through AmeriCorps at City Year Sacramento and gaining insights into the legislative process while working in Senator Portantino’s office. These experiences strengthened her commitment to developing effective and accessible public policies and inspired her to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration at CSU Sacramento.
As GASPPA President, Rhiannon is focused on empowering her peers and enhancing the graduate program. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, watching films, playing games with her husband, Chris, and spending time with their cats, Teddy and Ellie.
Christine Espina Gutierrez, Vice President
Christine Espina Gutierrez earned their M.A. in Teaching from the University of Southern California and B.S. in Human Development from the University of California, Davis, with minors in English and Education. They were actively involved in student leadership, serving as President of the Student California Teachers Association and contributing to campus initiatives focused on student mental health and suicide prevention. As a middle school teacher, they worked closely with diverse student populations and served on their school's Equity Committee, where they supported efforts centered on inclusive practices and community engagement.
They currently serve as a Policy Research Fellow with Caltrans in the Director's Office of Equity and Tribal Affairs, engaging in the development of anti-displacement policies and promoting equitable outcomes for historically underserved communities. Christine's academic and professional experiences reflect their commitment to equity and community-centered policy.
As Vice President of GASPPA, Christine is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for students. They are passionate about advancing opportunities for collaboration, professional development and meaningful engagement with the MPPA community.
Kaylah Ball, Financial Director
Kaylah Ball is a second-year MPPA student with a deep commitment to public service. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Policy and Planning from UC Davis. Prior to starting her MPPA, she worked as a CivicSpark Fellow at the City of Elk Grove for two years. She is driven by a passion for local government and community resilience.
She is excited to be serving as the Financial Director for GASPPA, where she looks forward to supporting fellow students with collaborative events and networking opportunities.
Chandler Witthaus, Communications Director
I graduated from Sacramento State in 2024 with a degree in Political Science and am currently about halfway through my Master’s in Public Policy and Administration. During my undergraduate career, I was deeply involved in the Model United Nations program and club, serving in multiple leadership roles, and contributing multiple team successes and the organization of conferences & events. These experiences shaped my skills in leadership, communication, and working in diverse environments. As a graduate student, I remain committed to public service and to supporting my peers. I care strongly about helping others succeed and would like to foster a supportive community, and create opportunities for engaging and enjoyable events.
Dea Ali, Academic Director
Dea Ali is a second-year Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) student at California State University, Sacramento. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Political Science from the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani. Her professional background spans higher education, workforce development, family services, and staff training. She also serves as a Student Research Assistant with Sacramento State’s Institute for Social Research, where she supports applied research and community-focused projects.
A lifelong advocate for human rights, Dea serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for an international nonprofit organization that supports LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized communities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Having sought asylum in the United States after fleeing Iraq, she brings both lived experience and a global perspective to her work in public service and advocacy.
As Academic Director, Dea hopes to foster student engagement, support academic success, and create opportunities for collaboration and professional development within the MPPA community. Her policy interests include human rights, social equity, immigration and refugee policy, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and evidence-based policymaking.
Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Dea enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, reading, nail art, playing video games, and spending time with her service dog, Suli, who joins her on all her adventures.
Kimberly Cazares, Alumni Coordinator
Kimberly Cazares is a second year MPPA student. She graduated from San Jose State University in 2023 with a double major in Anthropology and Political Science. While at SJSU, Kimberly sought out student organizations that promoted culture and kinship in higher education, an important value to her as a first-generation student away from her hometown of Oakland. She engaged in community leadership and celebration of her Latina identity while holding multiple positions at SJSU's folklorico group.
Upon graduation, Kimberly was a part of the fourth cohort of interns at the Stupski Foundation as the intern for the Director of Grantmaking Practice. She made multiple connections within the philanthropic and nonprofit communities throughout Hawai'i and the Bay Area in the development of a toolkit for navigating grant applications and funder partnerships to reduce fundraising burden on nonprofit leaders.
Kimberly values collaboration, continuous learning, and culture-centered community engagement that expands equitable access. These values are reflected in her work with the Sierra Club's Young Adult Advisory Board and her role as a paraeducator in an inclusion classroom at DJUSD, where she has deepened her commitment to empowering youth and supporting diverse learning needs.
As Alumni Coordinator, Kimberly will uphold GASPPA's mission by fostering academic success and community engagement for MPPA students as they pursue higher education and careers. She is excited to connect current students and alumni through networking events and meaningful relationship-building opportunities.