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.
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.