Meet Our Staff

Hortensia Biosca Cadenas

Born in Cuba, Mrs. Cadenas was just a teenager when she came to the United States in the 1960s to escape Fidel Castro's communism.  She completed her education with a B.A. and an M.A. from George Mason University.  Mrs. Cadenas has devoted her career to helping fellow Hispanics and other minorities in their struggles to become successful in this country.

Mrs. Cadenas has been a bilingual specialist, an editor, a translator, a high school teacher, and a university lecturer.  Since 1990 she has directed the Early Identification Program at George Mason University, an innovative project aimed at providing students who are first in their family to go to college with knowledge and skills to succeed in attaining a college degree.  Under her leadership, the EIP has grown in enrollment, in types of services provided, and in the number of community partners.  The program has achieved local and national recognition for its growth, its efforts its impact and successes.

Mrs. Cadenas is also active in several organizations devoted to child abuse prevention. She uses her life story as an example of how non-native-born Americans can enjoy their own heritage and find ways to blend successfully into the American mainstream.

Khaseem Davis

Khaseem Davis holds a Bachelors degree in English and a Masters Degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs from the State University of New York at Buffalo.  As a first generation college student he enjoys working for the Early Identification Program because it allows him to give back and help students matriculate to college and acheive their dreams. 

Khaseem’s interest include increasing college access in the United States and abroad; higher education policy, and issues pertaining to organizational leadership as well as student development.  Khaseem enjoys reading, basketball, and most of all spending time with is family. 

Rebecca (Becky) Flores

Rebecca (Becky) Flores manages the financial resources of the Early Identification Program (EIP). She came to George Mason University in the Spring of 2007 after an extensive and rewarding career in financial management at The World Bank, an international organization in Washington, DC, that promotes inclusive and sustainable global development. Her last position was serving the Corporate Secretariat, the Board of Governors and the Board of Directors as the Senior Resource Management Officer, handling multi-million budgets and trust funds. After an early retirement from The World Bank, she wanted to continue to be part of a development effort-and found this opportunity with the EIP. "It is so gratifying," she says, "to help the youth in our community develop into responsible, successful adults through education and realize their goals and dreams."

Becky holds a Masters of Business Administration degree in Management and Finance from Marymount University in Arlington, VA, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology/English from Adamson University in Manila, Philippines, and has completed certificate programs in Accounting from the University of Virginia in Falls Church, VA and Government Performance from the JFK School of Government, Harvard University's Continuing Education Program in Washington, DC. She enjoys learning about people, places and cultures through her global travels, as well as locally through her interaction with the diverse greater Washington, DC population-and GMU in particular.

Guelila Fornetti

Guelila Fornetti is an alumnus of EIP and a recipient of the EIP Scholarship. She graduated from George Mason University in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in in social work.  As a student at George Mason University she served as a tutor and office assistant for the Early Identification Program.

Upon graduating in May of 2007, Guelila began working as a full time Office Manager and now serves as Tutoring Coordinator for the Early Identification Program.  She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Community Agency Counseling.

Laydy M. Reyes

Ms. Laydy M. Reyes joined the Early Identification Program in October of 2008.  She is currently the Office manager/special program assistant and oversees the publishing EIP Newsletter.  Laydy  is an alumnus of the Early identification Program and credits her college success to the program.  
Ms. Reyes is a graduate of George Mason University.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Global Affairs and a minored in Business. Laydy enjoys volunteering and being an active member in organizations such as Alma Boliviana and St. Maria Youth Group. 

Rhina Ascencio

Rhina Ascencio is the Tutor Coordinator for the Early Identification Program (EIP) at George Mason University. Ms. Ascencio coordinates the EIP Tutoring sessions for the counties of Prince William, Manassas City, Manassas Park, and Falls Church City Schools. As a former alumnus and recipient of the EIP Scholarship Ms. Ascencio advocates for students who are first in their families to attend college. She graduated from George Mason University in 2007 with a B.A. in Biology and English. Ms. Ascencio credits her success to her involvement with the program.