KIPP Forward Team – San Antonio

Ruben RodriguezDirector-KIPP Forward

Ruben Rodriguez was born in Mexico and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. During his freshman year, his family moved to Houston, TX where he finished high school and met his future wife, Chris. They both attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work. Growing up as an undocumented student, Ruben is passionate about access to resources and information for all students regarding college. He has created, worked in and managed programs that help students and families learn about college for the last 15 years. After teaching Social Work at Stephen F. Austin University, Ruben worked at the Hispanic Scholarship Fund as Director of College Partnerships. He has worked for KIPP since 2011 and is starting his seventh year in San Antonio as Director of KIPP Forward.

Antonio CerdaCollege Alumni Advisor

Tony Cerda serves as an Alumni Advisor for the KIPP Through College team supporting Middle School Alums and the most recent KIPP UPrep High School graduates. Tony is a native of San Antonio and is in his second year at KIPP. Prior to working for KIPP, Tony worked at Café College as an advisor for students and families that need college application support. Tony is a First Generation College student who attended UTSA and received his Bachelor's in Criminal Justice and, most recently, completed his Master’s in Business Administration at Texas A&M University, San Antonio.

Lizeth ChavezCollege Match Counselor

Lizeth Chavez serves as the 12th grade college counselor and college prep teacher at KIPP University Prep High School. She was previously a middle school math teacher with KIPP Bay Area. Lizeth was born and raised in Northern California before moving to San Antonio this past summer. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Adolescent Development with a prep for teaching from San Jose University.

Omar ChaviraCollege Match Counselor

Roy FelicianoPersistence Program Manager

Roy Feliciano serves as the Persistence Manager and College Alumni Adviser on the KIPP Through College (KTC) team, primarily supporting alumni at 4-year colleges and universities. He joined the KTC team in 2016. From 2005 to 2016 Mr. Feliciano served at KIPP Aspire Academy in San Antonio as a Non-Fiction Studies teacher, Assistant School Leader and School leader. Prior to coming to KIPP San Antonio, Mr. Feliciano served 11 years as a History teacher at the Episcopal Cathedral School in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is originally from both Brooklyn, New York, and Middletown, Connecticut, which explains his obsession with all New York sports teams, especially the Yankees.

Stephanie GonzalezMatch Program Manager

Stephanie is a San Antonio native, first generation college student who started at KIPP in 2013. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 2011, and went on to join the National College Advising Corp, serving in the San Antonio School District. At KIPP, she was the Senior Seminar teacher serving the Classes 2014-2017. She then moved into the role of supporting college freshmen before becoming the Program Manager for the High School College Counseling team. She is married to another Big KIPPster, Travion Ambus, the Assistant School Leader of KIPP UPrep High School, and are currently learning how to be parents to a baby boy named Jaxson

Hannah-Elyse KonyecsniCollege Advisor

Hannah-Elyse graduated from Trinity University in 2019 with a degree in geology and a dream to teach. After interning with the Office of Admissions for a few years, she discovered a passion for college access. Joining the Trinity University College Advising Corps was the perfect bridge between the two. She will serve at KIPP University Prep for the whole year as the Advising Corp Advisor and is already loving working with the students and staff!

Caroline Kerley-MeynigCollege Match Counselor

Caroline was born in Atlanta, grew up in Austin, and has called San Antonio home since 2014. She graduated from Trinity University with a Bachelor’s in Ancient Mediterranean Studies and a minor in history. Caroline has been with KIPP since the 2018-2019 school year as a member of the Trinity University College Advising Corps. She is very excited to be a full-time employee of KTC as the new 11th grade College Seminar Teacher at UPrep High School.

Perla SalazarCollege Alumni Advisor

Perla Salazar serves as an Alumni Advisor for the KIPP Through College team supporting alumni attending 2-year colleges. Perla is a Houston Native that has lived here in San Antonio for 11 years. This will be her 67h year with KIPP San Antonio. Perla graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice and Psychology. In her spare time Perla loves traveling, cooking new recipes, watching sports and spending quality time with friends & family.