OPTICA Staff

RaeAnn Gutierrez

Pronouns: she/her/ella
Executive Director, HSI Initiatives | Director, Title V OPTICA Grant 

RaeAnn Gutierrez (she/her) is from Pueblo, CO and has worked for two HSIs, CSU-Pueblo and Pueblo Community College. At PCC, she serves as the Project Director for the Title V OPTICA grant and the Executive Director of HSI Initiatives. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Southern Colorado, traveling, and checking out local food scenes.

Lori Epperson

Pronouns: she/her
Assistant Director, Title V OPTICA Grant

Lori Epperson joined the Pueblo Community College OPTICA team in June 2022. She has been supporting student’s personal and academic success for over 20 years in both public and private higher education institutions through recruitment, admissions, advising and graduation services. She has a Master of Science degree in Academic Advising from Kansas State University. Along with supporting students outside the classroom, for the past 7 years, she has supported first-year students in the classroom teaching college success strategies. Her passion is serving first-generation students through a holistic lens that focuses on student’s strengths.   

In her free time, she enjoys cooking, camping, fishing, hiking, and spending time with family and her sweet dog Dolly. 

Darolyn Stewart

Pronouns: she/them
First Year Coordinator, Black Student Union Club Co-Advisor

Darolyn Stewart (she/they) has worked with students for over 5 years and has previous experience working in residential treatment centers, domestic violence and sexual assault prevention, and LGBTQIA+ educational outreach. They have provided trainings in crisis intervention, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, and multi-tiered systems of support and documentation.

Darolyn received her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology at the University of Illinois and received their Master of Arts degree in sociology at the University of Colorado. After participating in one of the University of Illinois’ Social Justice Educators two-year cohorts, Darolyn made a personal commitment to consistently work toward disrupting systems of harm and oppression while centering marginalized communities.

In their free time, Darolyn enjoys spending time with her partner, family, friends, and adorable greyhound, Lady. She is always up for an adventure and likes to hike, read, and travel. 

Darolyn is a co-advisor of PCC’s Black Student Union. Please contact her or Darien Brown (he/him) for information on joining the BSU. 

Paul Valdez

Pronouns: he/him
First Year Coordinator, MEChA Club Advisor

Paul Valdez is a First Year Coordinator and AAA 1009 instructor, as well as the staff advisor for MEChA de PCC club. Paul has been with PCC for just over a year. Previous to working with PCC he worked as an academic advisor with the Hasan School of Business with Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Paul received his Bachelor of Science in History from Colorado State University-Pueblo with minors in Chicano Studies and Coaching. Paul plans to attend the University of New Mexico in Fall 2024 to pursue his Masters of Arts in Chicano and Chicana Studies.

Paul enjoys playing guitar, listening to music, and attending concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Paul also flies drones in his spare time for fun, is an amateur video and audio editor, and documentary film maker.

Darien Brown

Pronouns: he/him
First Year Coordinator, Black Student Union Club Co-Advisor

Darien (He/Him) is a First-Year Coordinator grew up in Pueblo and got a B.S. in Biology from CSU-Pueblo. He is also the co-advisor to the Black Student Union that is beginning this semester on campus. He is passionate about helping students make the most out of their college experience and develop skills that will be useful throughout life. He has worked in multiple industries, retail, customer service, construction, and has spent the last 7 years as a peer mentor, tutor, and student advisor. He wants to continue in a graduate program in Biology.

Anna Ceasar

Pronouns: she/her
Administrative Assistant

Anna Ceasar joined OPTICA in June of 2022 as the administrative assistant. Currently, her role entails providing logistical and administrative support to the team. After graduating from PCC in 2019 with an Associate of Art in Business, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She decided to come back to PCC as a staff member because she loved the community and support she received as a student and wanted to provide the same to others.

Anna is a bookworm and avid gardener. Her dream vacation is a tour of Japan. She has two lazy cats and one nutty shelter pup.