Meet the Project Rebound Team

Program Director Rudy Howell

Program Director Rudolph "Rudy" Howell earned a transferable A.A. Degree in Business Administration from Lassen College at FCC Herlong. A process that took 17 years to complete while in federal custody. He was accepted at San Francisco State University through the Project Rebound program before his release in 2013. He graduated in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

In his role as Impact Coach for Rubicon Programs Rudy built out the Rubicon Education Partnership program. REP participants were able to attend the college of their choice in the Bay Area with support from the REP program, which included the tools required to be a successful college student. The REP program worked with many of the local community colleges and also Project Rebound at SFSU.

Rudy firmly believes that an education is a sustainable path to self-efficacy. Self-Efficacy is a person's belief in their ability to succeed in a particular situation. In his role as Project Rebound Director at San Jose State University, he looks forward to helping and supporting others on their journey to Self-Efficacy.

Contact: rudy.howell@sjsu.edu

Project Rebound Counselor Wil Quintero

Wil Quintero is a dedicated counselor with a passion for social justice and equity who provides guidance, mentorship, and resources to empower students throughout their academic journey. Growing up in East Side San José, Wil understands the necessity of helping navigate barriers such as housing, employment, and access to education for system-impacted individuals. Drawing on a strong academic foundation that includes a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a Minor in Early Childhood Education, and ongoing pursuit of an MBA at SJSU, Wil integrates a comprehensive understanding of systemic challenges with practical solutions.

Before joining Project Rebound, Wil served as a life coach at Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ), where they worked closely with system-impacted youth transitioning home from incarceration. Wil also facilitates personal growth and advocacy opportunities, empowering youth to become leaders in their communities. By organizing community events and fostering connections, they helped create a pathway for formerly incarcerated youth to achieve stability, and a sense of belonging in their community. Additionally, Wil has experience as an intern preschool teacher at Haste Street Child Development Center, where they contributed to the development and education of young children. This role strengthened their ability to foster growth, build meaningful connections, and support individuals in achieving their potential from an early age.

Contact: wil.quintero@sjsu.edu

Executive Director Oona Hatton

Executive Director Oona Hatton (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Performance Studies and Associate Chair of the Department of Communication Studies. She has published research about theatre programs and live performances in carceral settings in California, and is the author of SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS, a play adapted from the letters, artwork, and poetry of Jack L. Morris, a survivor of more than thirty-five years of solitary confinement at the Pelican Bay State Penitentiary. Dr. Hatton has served as Graduate Coordinator for her department's MA program as well as serving on multiple university, college, and department committees including the University Writing Committee, CoSS RSCA, the Campus Reading Program, and the Veterans Advisory Committee. In 2020, she was awarded the CoSS Teaching Excellence Award. In 2018 and 2019, Dr. Hatton was facilitator-in-training and co-facilitator of SJSU's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's faculty workshop series Whiteness and Race. Dr. Hatton holds a Ph.D. in Theatre & Drama from Northwestern University.

Contact: oona.hatton@sjsu.edu

Founding Executive Director Peggy Stevenson

Founding Executive Director Peggy Stevenson started the Record Clearance Project (RCP) at San Jose State University in 2008; she has worked as an attorney and teacher in the record clearance field since 2005. Peggy received the CSU Chancellor's Award for Faculty Innovation and Leadership in Fall 2018 for her work in establishing the RCP. Prior to the RCP, Peggy served as Executive Director of community-based clinical programs for Stanford and Santa Clara law schools. She has a JD from UCLA.

Founding Project Assistant Erika Larios

 Project Assistant Erika Larios is a first generation college graduate who grew up in Bay Point, a small town located in the East Bay region of San Francisco Bay Area. She graduated from SJSU in May 2022 with a B.S. in Political Science and minors in Justice Studies and Philosophy. Erika is dedicated to increasing the diversity of the legal profession and promoting social justice by providing information and resources to undergraduates who otherwise lack access. She plans to attend law school to help those whose voices have been silenced, expecting to work in either criminal or immigration law. Erika speaks fluent Spanish.