Jose Cruz

Chief Executive Officer
619-574-1641 ext. 103
jcruz@literacysandiego.org

Jose Cruz is the chief executive officer for the San Diego Council on Literacy, a model urban literacy coalition. He has 26 years of experience in the literacy field and is known in the national literacy network for his leadership in organizing collaborative efforts for literacy.  He is the recipient of the 2003 San Diego Union-Tribune, “Educator of the Year” award, and has served as president of the National Alliance of Urban Literacy Coalitions and the San Diego Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. He is a two-time recipient of the International Reading Association's "Celebrate Literacy Award," and, in 2007, was recognized by KPBS and Union Bank as a Hispanic Heritage Month “Local Hero,” in the Education category.  Jose is a native San Diegan, a graduate of the University of Southern California, and a product of the San Diego Community College District.

Cody Morris

619-574-1641 ext. 105
cmorris@literacysandiego.org

After graduating from college, Cody traveled to Portugal to work with Habitat for Humanity for the Global Village building project. This experience sparked his interest in non-profit work. After returning to the U.S., he became a Literacy*AmeriCorps member through the San Diego Council on Literacy and was assigned for literacy work at the St. Vincent de Paul Village – Career & Education department. Cody interned with the Council for eight months before joining the Council staff on a full-time basis in September 2010.  Cody handles the daily operations of the office and is responsible for the literacy referral line.  He is a graduate of San Diego State University with a B.A. in Geography. He also minored in Sustainability/Environmental Studies and Spanish. Cody enjoys playing any sport, but soccer and tennis are his favorites.

Beverly Anderson

619-574-1641 ext. 101
banderson@literacysandiego.org

Beverly Anderson joined the San Diego Council on Literacy in October 2010.  She brings over 15 years of experience in the area of bookkeeping and is applying this experience to the handling of the organization’s financial business.  Additionally, she has emerged in a leading role as a coordinator of Council special events.  Overall, Beverly is excited about her new adventures in the world of non-profits.  After working on successful events like “The Bee” and “Eat. Drink. Read.” she is eager to do more with these events and others, for greater literacy in our community. Beverly is a native San Diegan and mother of two.  She enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including camping and hiking with her family.

Beth Ruland

Health Literacy Coordinator
858-609-7967
bruland@sdchip.org

Since June 2009, Beth Ruland has worked with Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP) on access to care programs and initiatives, including Gift of Health, the 2-1-1 Protocols Committee, and the Before You Go to the Doctor program.  Most recently in 2010, Beth began working with the Council to coordinate “Health Literacy San Diego,” a collaborative effort between CHIP and the San Diego Council on Literacy to address health literacy challenges in San Diego County.  Beth earned a B.A. in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Before moving to San Diego two years ago, she taught English in Thailand and Indonesia.