About Us
History
The Museum Educators of Southern California was formally founded in 1977 and obtained 501 (c)(3) status.
MESC is one of the oldest and largest museum education professional organizations in the country. For almost 50 years, it has provided Southern California museum educators with professional development, theoretical discourse, practical training, and networking.
Mission
We are an inclusive alliance of critically aware museum educators who cultivate and build strategic relationships rooted in sharing resources and encouraging experimentation that empowers the field.
Vision & Values
MESC envisions a community of empowered museum educators who will advance the field.
TRANSPARENCY
Through transparent processes and open communication, we share organizational authority among empowered museum educators.
COMMUNITY
Our community is cultivated through collective empathy, vulnerability, and integrity.
INCLUSIVITY
We invite, celebrate, and respect diverse voices and strive for honest, reflective, and productive dialogue.
SOLIDARITY
Our solidarity is what gives us the credibility and power to advocate for ourselves and others.
Our 2026-2027 Board of Directors
Sarah Harty
President
Sarah is a Museum Professional with a passion for fostering curiosity and learning. Currently, as the Manager of Visitor Experience at the Southern California Railway Museum, she has streamlined the membership program, enhanced development, and organizes various events attracting over 100,000 visitors annually.
Miriam Valle-Mancilla
Vice President
Miriam (she/her) serves as the Curator of Education for the city of Ontario at the Ontario Museum of History & Art. In this public service role, she leads efforts to engage the diverse community through creative interpretation of local history and artistic practices.
Lindsey Hammel
Outreach and Innovation
I’ve worked in Museum Education for over twelve years, spanning K-12 school programs, academic programs, and public programs. I previously worked at the Birmingham Museum of Art in Birmingham, Alabama where I was named Museum Educator of the Year by the Alabama Art Education Association in 2016. I’m currently the Director of Education and Public Programs at UCR ARTS California Museum of Photography and Culver Center of the Arts. I love the multi-audience aspect of my job and I especially enjoy creating dynamic, socially engaged public programs.
Alberto Keossian
Membership Engagement
Alberto Keossian is an interdisciplinary artist and arts practitioner based in Los Angeles, with over a decade of combined experience in arts administration, program development, and community engagement. His work centers on curating and developing collaborative, engagement-driven initiatives and experiences that expand access and foster meaningful connections between cultural institutions and the communities they serve. He currently serves as Learning and Engagement Coordinator at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and as Founding Co-Director of MOTOR. He holds a BA from UCLA and has exhibited, curated, and programmed throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
Meghan Rhodes
Advancement
Meghan Rhoades (she/her) is a museum educator dedicated to creating engaging arts experiences for diverse audiences. Meghan currently serves as Education Coordinator at the Long Beach Museum of Art, where she supports programs for K-12 and family audiences and community outreach. Her work is guided by the belief that museums can be spaces for intergenerational learning, community building, and creative exploration.
Mariah Ayala
DEAI
I am a museum educator and first generation graduate with a Master of Arts in Anthropology dedicated to fostering inclusive learning spaces. As an educator at the Museum of Contemporary Art, I use Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) to engage students in grades three through twelve and support public programs. At the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, I analyze visitor data to improve public engagement and program effectiveness. I am passionate about creating inclusive, participatory museum experiences where everyone can explore, learn, and feel they belong. As an emerging professional, I am dedicated to advancing museum education and fostering collaboration.
Dominique Herrera
Treasurer
Dominique holds the position of Museum Education Specialist at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, where she designs and delivers K–12 educational programs rooted in object-based learning. She brings expertise in curriculum development, exhibit design, and program management. With over a decade of experience in museum education and community programming, Dominique has held positions at institutions such as the San Diego History Center and the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology. Her commitment to inclusive, engaging, and culturally relevant education is evident in her work with diverse communities, having also served as a Quality Assurance Coach for afterschool programs across the Palm Springs Unified School District.
Sonja Cayetano
At Large
As an intern at the Skid Row History Museum, I organized events and archived cultural research. In 2023, I exhibited at the LA Art Show and was a grant recipient at My Green Building Conference, speaking about environmental justice in unhoused communities.
As a VAPAE Teaching Artist at the UCLA Community School, I designed a culturally-sustaining arts curriculum. Through ArtsforLA's Delegates Program, I advocated for the financial resources of arts workers. As the Hammer’s Academic Programs Assistant, I manage tours and develop educational programming. In 2025, I was a scholarship recipient at the AAM Annual Meeting and attended MESC AI.
Kimberly Do
At Large
Kimberly holds an MBA from UC Irvine and BA in Psychology from UC Davis. She "stumbled" into museum work volunteering at Davis Arts Center before joining Huntington Beach Art Center, where she has served for nine years and now coordinates education programs. She teaches in Creative Visions Teen Curators and coordinates Artventures tours and Family Arts Day. A MESC member and LACMA Teaching Artist Training Series fellow, she has expanded program accessibility, built partnerships with culturally diverse organizations, and grew the teaching artist faculty. Outside work, she enjoys social dancing, traveling, and indulging her secretly spooky side with scary movies.
VACANT
Community Engagement
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Carolyn Arredondo
Web
Carolyn Ashley Arredondo is a Los Angeles–based museum educator, photographer, and community arts programmer. She works with the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs designing and facilitating public art programs that foster creative expression and community engagement. With over a decade of experience in photography, digital storytelling, and social media strategy, Carolyn brings a multidisciplinary approach to museum education and outreach. She participates in the Arts for LA ACTIVATE programs such as Emerging Arts leaders and the Delegates program. She is passionate about building innovative partnerships that connect museums, artists, and communities through inclusive and accessible programming.
Anne Elise Babel
Digital
Anne Elise Babel is a museum educator currently working at the Petersen Automotive Museum, where she leads tours, facilitates family programs, and supports community outreach events. She has previously held roles at the Norton Simon Museum, The Huntington, Orange County Museum of Art, and Heritage Museum of Orange County, designing and leading inquiry-based tours and public programs for audiences of all ages. Currently serving as MESC’s Board Member at Large, she collaborates across working groups to support board initiatives and programming.