Meet The Aguijón Board of Directors
BOARD Members
Maria J Vargas
Board President
María J. Vargas, Ph.D. is a distinguished Professor Emerita, St. Augustine College in Chicago. She is currently is the Education Coordinator for the Head Start Program at Mary Crane League. Dr. Vargas earned a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from DePaul University, Chicago. Dr. Vargas’ research interest lies in examining policies, services, and programs that impact the educational opportunities of bilingual students. She is a former member of the Chicago Board of Education (1990-1995). Dr. Vargas is an active member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Illinois Early Learning Council, Multilingual Chicago, Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP), and National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE). Dr. Vargas has participated in and made presentations on topics related to bilingual education at various conferences at the local, state, national, and international level.
Wilfredo Loza
Board Vice-President
Wilfredo Loza, MD, MA – Dr. Loza is currently working as a Rehabilitation Counselor at the Department of Rehabilitation for the State of Illinois. Dr. Loza is also an Adjunct Professor at St. Augustine College in the Psychology Department. Dr. Loza earned a Medical degree from Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Bolivia and a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University. Dr. Loza worked in 1994 at Washington DC as an American Red Cross certified trainer in educational HIV-AIDS programs. In Chicago, Illinois worked in several community, non-governmental organizations dedicated to drug and alcohol prevention and treatment. As a supervisor for Association House of Chicago, he handled medically complex cases in the DCFS foster care system. Dr. Loza is a Certified Member of Rehabilitation Counselors Association.
Bernadette (Berni) Townsley
Board Treasurer
Augusto Yanacopulos
Board Member
Mr. Yanacopulos is an artist and actor. Originally from Chile, Augusto is a founding member of Aguijón and joined its board in 2000.
Oliver Aldape
Board Member
Mr. Aldape is a Chicago-based actor and a casting agent at Lily’s Talent in Chicago. Oliver joined the board in 2013.