Micki Archuleta, PhD, MA, MEd
Dr. Micki Archuleta, PhD, MA, MEd, is a visionary educator and program innovator dedicated to transforming trauma-informed insights into operationally excellent initiatives that foster student success and community resilience. As the founder of the Rebuilding Lives Initiative, she combines serious-game learning, advocacy training, and community partnerships to create programs that help communities heal and students thrive. With over 25 years of experience in classrooms and community projects, Dr. Archuleta has led cross-sector collaborations, designed instructor training, and developed digital learning tools that meet people where they are—online, in classrooms, and on the street.
Her expertise spans program operations, student success, curriculum design, and partnership development. She has managed multi-source budgets, coordinated complex logistics, and implemented data-informed processes to ensure measurable outcomes. In addition to leading Rebuilding Lives, she has designed statewide pilot programs, created trauma-informed advising initiatives, and served as adjunct faculty at Modesto Junior College, consistently emphasizing practical skill-building, belonging, and equity.
Beyond her work in education, Dr. Archuleta is committed to social impact and civic engagement. She co-founded LGBTQ Merced, founded the MERCED LGBTQ Alliance, and leads Dolphin Voyager, LLC, which develops interactive learning solutions and serious games that cultivate empathy, civic engagement, and critical thinking. Her current focus includes scaling Rebuilding Lives pilots in Merced and Stanislaus counties, publishing case studies and toolkits for educators and agencies, and speaking on trauma-informed leadership, civic education, and community-first program design.
• IRB – Social and Behavioral Research (Group 2)
• MCE: Microsoft Certified Educator
• Certified Online Master Instructor
• NonProfit Management Certificate
• Microsoft Office Specialist Master Certification (MOS)
• Project Management Certificate
• Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential, English
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - M.Ed.
• LGBTQ Merced
• Rebuilding Lives Initiative
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to designing and leading a multi-stakeholder, student-success program that integrates serious-game learning with workshops and personalized instructor support. I managed all aspects of the initiative, including coordinating logistics, schedules, and vendor and partner workflows, while leveraging a prototype I developed to guide the program’s design and implementation.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life include advocacy, resilience, and support for others. I am committed to standing up for LGBTQ+ individuals and ensuring fairness and respect in interactions with administrators, parents, and students. Setting clear boundaries and never giving up are principles I live by, and I credit much of my perseverance to my mom, who has always been my biggest cheerleader.