Mayra Llamas currently serves as the Executive Director for the Community Resource and Retention Centers at the University of California, Davis, providing leadership and oversight to various student life units that offer intersectional approaches to support a sense of belonging, and inclusion, student learning, persistence, retention, and graduation.

She is a daughter of immigrant farmworkers, a first-generation college graduate, and an inspirational student affairs practitioner with demonstrated authentic leadership working with and for students. Mayra’s approach to higher education administration is grounded in research and collaborative practice, and the power of personal narratives/ testimonio, Chingona knowledge, and self-efficacy. Her leadership style embodies a growth mindset, empowerment, and coaching to expand skills, frameworks, and sense of purpose.

Mayra has more than 20 years of experience working with student-centered, student-initiated and student-run frameworks. This skill set has shaped her understanding of college student engagement, persistence, leadership, and advocacy. Her ultimate goal as a skilled higher education leader is to enhance the student experience of those who are most marginalized and/or underrepresented by improving student equity frameworks and inspiring other educational leaders. 

Mayra holds an Educational Leadership Ed.D. from the University of California, Davis, a B.S. in Management and International Entrepreneurship from CSU Monterey Bay, and a M.A. in Education with an emphasis in Counseling from San Jose State University.

4 fun facts about Mayra: Succulent grower, Sagittarius, Halloween Queen, enjoys kettlebell workouts!