Two former student workers of the Associated Students, Inc.’s Children’s Center at Sacramento State have alleged discrimination, intimidation and mistreatment from Sherry Velte, the center’s director.
LaRetha Breazell, a student and former associate teacher for the center, resigned on Feb. 18. She detailed her experiences with Velte in her resignation letter, in which she said that the work environment was “heartbreaking” and “toxic.”
“I would go to work everyday thinking, ‘Fire me, please fire me,’” Breazell said. “But I knew if I got fired and came out about it, they’d turn it around on me.”
Breazell said Velte used intimidation tactics against her and other workers in her role as the center’s director. She said Velte often threatened her job security and said it’s “my word against yours” when confronted.
Breazell said that over time, Velte’s treatment caused her to fall into depression, and she is still recovering from it today.
“Behind closed doors, there was a culture of racism and intimidation,” Breazell said.
Breazell said this treatment extended to workers throughout the Children’s Center. Shellcia Longsworth, a fellow former associate teacher who worked alongside Breazell, said she experienced a similar environment to what Breazell described.
Breazell and Longsworth said Velte would reinforce stereotypes and compare them to their other African-American coworkers. They said Velte made comments about them being “too loud” and said they should be more like their white coworkers.
Both Breazell and Longsworth said they saw Velte make discriminatory comments to other workers and said they often saw workers leaving Velte’s office in tears. Longsworth said this was after Velte claimed to keep an “open door policy.”
“It’s not an open door policy to talk bad about people or make people so uncomfortable they’re coming out crying,” Longsworth said.
Longsworth said she brought up these issues to ASI’s Human Resources department, but said no changes were made to her knowledge.
Longsworth said that after she resigned, Velte and HR did not acknowledge her resignation. She said Velte found her emergency contact and called her mother to ask why Longsworth was not coming to work, instead of reaching out to Longsworth directly.
“There were moments throughout that were deeply uncomfortable,” Longsworth said. “HR is fully aware of this, and I don’t know if they have the power to do anything or just choose not to.”
Breazell said she also brought her issues to HR, but she was told they ‘needed time.’ She reported no resolution.
Breazell said there was a gradual buildup of hate and bigotry after she began working at the center in October 2023. However, Longsworth said she’d felt uncomfortable since she started working at the Children’s Center.
“My whole time at ASI was very rough, from start to when I resigned,” Longsworth said.
RELATED: Vice President of University Affairs removed after failing to adhere to ASI operating rules
When reached for comment or an interview request by The State Hornet, Velte responded over email with the following statement:
“As much as I would like to share a perspective on this issue, it would not be appropriate for me to discuss personnel issues with you as it would violate an employee’s right to confidentiality.”
On Monday night, ASI Board of Directors’ President Nataly Andrade-Dominguez released the following statement on her Instagram story about these allegations.
“ASI is also aware that there have been allegations of discrimination and inappropriate conduct raised at the Children’s Center. Consistent with its policy and practice, ASI has retained an independent and experienced investigator to investigate the allegations. The investigation is commencing this week. ASI does not tolerate discrimination in the workplace and if the investigation reveals violations of ASI policy on discrimination or other policies, appropriate corrective action will be implemented.”
ASI’s HR department did not respond to request for comment at the time of publication.
Dannah • Mar 14, 2025 at 10:04 pm
I found an email tonight as I was cleaning out my inbox. It was an exchange between myself and another past coworker who also worked here under Sherry’s horrific conditions. We were discussing how yet another employee had walked out on the spot and never came back due to Sherry’s harassment. My exact words (and I would screen shot it as proof if I could): “Sherry has a real knack for breaking someone’s spirit.”
Hornet Alumnus • Mar 14, 2025 at 5:22 am
I hope if the “campus investigation” falls short, then all impacted families seriously consider reaching out to city and state authorities. You can’t allow this to remain in a vacuum forever. Stay strong!
Anonymous • Mar 9, 2025 at 2:11 pm
During my time working there, Sherry fostered a hostile and unprofessional atmosphere. She frequently singled out individuals, creating tension. I also observed her speaking negatively about colleagues, directors, and even parents, which contributed to a lack of trust and morale.
Melisa Flores • Mar 6, 2025 at 11:14 pm
As a person who doesn’t even have a direct connection to this woman yet know how horrible she is I can say the woman you all comment on her to be is a woman of the past. My best friend had her child at that care center and I would listen to her cry about how her child was being treated at this place and listened to the comments made by this woman that tore her down. I wouldn’t doubt there is more children and parents, but the one I do know was horrific to listen to. The constant micro aggressions and discrimination was hard to hear. How do you lend any advice to someone who’s in tears everyday because they have their child in a daycare that doesn’t want to care for their child while they are aimlessly looking for another care facility nearby to accept said child. Not being able to go to work or school with peace of mind that your child is being treated fairly. I can only imagine the ripple effect she created in the community in the people she trained and how children are being treated at other places due to her training. And like I said maybe this woman followed the book 10-20 years ago but somewhere along the way this woman got way too confident and comfortable. She would say things to intimidate my friend into not speaking up when she called Sherry on anything. We are no longer in the 90s or early 2000s we should adapt and learn to be better along the way not become worse. It is crazy to my surprise scrolling this should come up because I NEEDED to see that she is finally getting what she deserves.
Keyanna • Mar 6, 2025 at 5:00 pm
These allegation are ridiculous! Don’t be fooled by the media! Sherry has done so much for THOUSANDS of children, families and staff members! I was a student employee and a parent of the ASI Children center FOR YEARS- left with two degrees. I am also an African American woman and have never seen her discriminate based on race! I am curious to know both sides to these stories. Sadly, this article stated that Sherry is unable to make a statement; however, people get to make statements against her. What happens to these folks if it turns out they were rightfully terminated? Will there be an article on that? What angers me is that I have witnessed her elevate the Children’s center and bring in millions of dollars to the center by way of grants etc. and none of that is mentioned here. I remember her fighting for us to all get bonuses and higher wages. She is someone who works tirelessly to get the work done and make sure business is running smoothly and children are safe. Oddly, no one is talking about none of this! How sad. First they love you then they hate you. Im sure this will be a place for the “hate train” so I pray these independent investigators interview me and check those employee records to get the full picture. There is ALWAYS more to the story.
I digress.
BA • Mar 7, 2025 at 6:44 am
Thank you for this. I too am Black. My children and I have received nothing but professionalism and competent leadership from Sherry. They loved her. She loved them back.
I hope they do not destroy the reputation of a wonderful teacher and caregiver of our children.
GV • Mar 7, 2025 at 10:06 pm
That may be your truth, but the people who are speaking out have had a different experience of Sherry. The culture that she has created within the Children’s Center is giving dictator. I hope that all the employees that have witnessed how she treat some people speak up and not allow the hostility to continue. It’s not good for children to be around that energy.
GV • Mar 7, 2025 at 10:24 pm
Bad people can do good things. Just because she has done good, this should not let you overlook the terror she has caused for some. Yes, the Children’s Center is amazing, but it is that way because of all the staff, their hard work and dedication should be celebrated. They don’t deserve to work in such a hostile environment. Having a teacher that is hoping to get fired because the way she is being treated by the director is deplorable. The children shouldn’t be subjected to such hostility. I hope all those who have witnessed the unfair treatment speak up, they all have a right to be heard. We’ve heard enough from Sherry. The investigation is underway, speak up!
B • Mar 12, 2025 at 10:26 am
I don’t like the assumption you made of folks being terminated. You are carelessly adding in your own details which makes your statement look less valid.
Keyanna • Mar 12, 2025 at 5:41 pm
First off, the original “gathering” post around this issue stated an ASI employees was terminated or suspended. Either way, my statement is based on my experiences and opinion on something that is public. Secondly, you posted as “B” so your statement looks less valid. Have a good day.
B • Mar 14, 2025 at 5:42 am
The original post highlighted details from the union organization and all the participants as a whole. The person who was suspended and later reinstated wasn’t a children’s center employee. Not only are you illiterate you also are carelessly adding in your own details like I previously mentioned. Instead of running to the comments to state your “opinion” you should look at all the available facts first.
Bre • Mar 6, 2025 at 2:14 pm
I’m an alumni of Sac State for my undergraduate and graduate degree, and I can 100% vouch for these claims. I made a written complaint to ASI about Sherry while my son attended daycare and nothing was done. She would excuse the aggressive behavior of white children towards my child, and told me that their parents were faculty as if she was trying to intimidate me. She was extremely hostile towards me and my son’s lead teacher.
GV • Mar 7, 2025 at 10:11 pm
I would love to see how many complaints there has been over the years because I have seen this as well and have tried to report it for months and got little response. I am glad that an investigation is finally underway and hope that all those who have experienced this hostility speak up, and have the opportunity to be heard, as they should have when the complaints were made originally.
MH • Mar 6, 2025 at 1:28 pm
For several decades, the ASI Children’s Center has established itself as more than just a childcare facility—it is a school with a structured curriculum that builds solid foundations for young learners. Under Sherry Velte’s competent and compassionate leadership, it has earned recognition as one of the Sacramento region’s premier children’s centers. Thousands of children have been nurtured by dedicated teachers under Sherry’s management. Her tough but fair leadership style remains uncompromising when it comes to children’s health and safety and the organization’s well-being.
Managing any organization presents challenges but leading a childcare center that serves our most vulnerable while navigating federal, state, CSU, and University regulations is particularly demanding. Yet Sherry and her team have achieved this balance—maintaining regulatory compliance while delivering exceptional care. Through her steady leadership during turbulent periods, the Center has enabled students, staff, and faculty to focus on their work, confident in their children’s welfare. Both ASI and the University have benefited from the Center’s sterling reputation, with Sherry deserving substantial credit for this achievement.
Like all human interactions, differences in perspective and expectations inevitably arise. When allegations surface, patience during investigation is essential. The current mob mentality that seeks punishment before verification is premature, dangerous, and irresponsible. Such approaches risk harming innocent parties—including the children at the Center—as sides become entrenched in conflict. Vilifying someone without evidence demonstrates poor judgment.
While all allegations deserve proper attention, destroying someone’s reputation before an investigation concludes is unjust. If mistakes were made, public condemnation is not the appropriate resolution. More dignified approaches exist that preserve both accountability and human dignity.
SK • Mar 7, 2025 at 9:28 am
Well said!
GV • Mar 7, 2025 at 10:32 pm
There are so many people who have tried to speak up, and have not been heard. While Sherry has done some good things for the Children’s Center, and helped some children, some she has not. Some people feel they are working in a hostile environment, and fear her. Most people sense the hostility. While structure is good, it doesn’t need to be hostile. People are speaking their truth, if that vilifies her, that really says more about her than the people who are speaking up.
Dannah • Mar 14, 2025 at 10:30 pm
The problem with your analogy is that dozens, possibly hundreds of complaints have been made over the 30+ years she has been there. I wrote a complaint to Pat Worley and Leah Railey when I left, at the advice of several teachers who did the same before me. I still have my copies. Unfortunately HR never took action- I always suspected it went into the shredder- so this inevitably snowballed into what we now see when people pour into the streets to protest. If anyone destroyed Sherry’s reputation, it was her and her alone. We are all out here just shining a light on it.
Denise Wessels • Mar 5, 2025 at 3:12 pm
ASI HR should contact all the long-time staff who have left the Children’s Center. She has been operating like this for years.
MH • Mar 6, 2025 at 12:59 pm
As her former supervisor, you had a responsibility to address any allegations that arose during your period of oversight. If concerns were brought to your attention at that time, proper protocol would have dictated a thorough investigation. However, your current decision to align yourself with collective accusations without substantiating evidence demonstrates a lack of professional judgment. Such conduct fails to uphold the standards of procedural fairness and professional ethics expected in a supervisory capacity.
Gina Vellucci • Mar 5, 2025 at 1:45 am
The student /parent perspective
Being a student parent is one of the most difficult barriers that I have faced as a student. It is difficult to be a student and wear so many other hats in the community. I am a mother, student, employee, and community member. I am majoring in communications hoping to go into teaching because I truly care for children, not just my own. I so looked forward to my son being able to attend preschool on the same campus that I am earning my degree. I worked very hard to transfer here, and when my son was accepted from the waitlist into the Children’s Center I couldn’t wait for him to be on campus with me. Only to have that dream crushed by the reality of the Children’s Center.
If you were to ask me about my experience at the ASI Children’s center, I would tell you just how horrible it was for both me and my son. This experience was so terrible because of the interactions we had with the center director, Sherry Velte. The atmosphere of the children’s center was that of how a dictatorship would be running a childcare facility. The staff seemed to fear her or to fear speaking in front of her. I was enrolled in 16 units last semester, and she told me that I shouldn’t be taking classes on campus, that I should just keep my son home and take my classes online. I was intimidated by her and felt very uncomfortable by the way she talked to me and treated me and my son.
On my son’s first day of preschool, I received a call from Sherry telling me that my son was in her office because he would not stay on his mat during nap time and was disrupting the class. I informed her that he was not used to taking naps and may need some guidance and patience with this transition, since it was his first day. The following week he was given 2 more opportunities to join his peers in nap time, both did not go well with her hovering over him. Then, with the last time ending with me, and my son crying in her office while she informed me that she would lay on top of him in her office until he fell asleep because that’s what they do in ABA therapy which is what she felt he needed.
Sherry then went on to inform me that my son is autistic, has turrets, and ADHD, as if she had the credentials to do so. I told her that I had raised concerns about autism to my son’s doctor, but they did not see reason to have him assessed at that time, and his delay could be caused by him being born prematurely. Sherry then told me that his doctors were wrong, and I needed to push for further assessments. She pushed for his diagnosis and made me feel inadequate as a parent because of my son’s special needs. Sherry suggested that my son needed to be seen by a doctor immediately and implied that I had done something wrong by not having him diagnosed already. I began assessments by her request, yet the intimidation and inappropriateness continued. She used this demand of diagnosis to further her agenda of discrimination. Sherry said in our parent meeting “special needs is not something that we do here.” Sh also said other inappropriate things of the same nature. She then went on to tell me that I should know my rights, and my son should be in public school, not on campus with me. The Children’s Center is considered a private preschool, and she doesn’t have to follow the regulations that the public school would. She doesn’t need to provide care for special needs. She then told me again that I shouldn’t be on campus, I should just take online courses.
During the six weeks my son was in the care of the Children’s center I had daily interactions with Sherry whether it was at pick-up/drop-off or during the nap/rest time that she required me to pick him up daily in the middle of the day. These interactions always left me feeling like I had done something wrong and my son shouldn’t be at this school. The mid day pick up she demanded was very difficult, making me late to work and class all while paying full tuition for my son to be in this childcare center. She claimed that they did not have adequate staff during that time and that he would need to be picked up. I often found him outside alone with one of the teachers, being separated from his peers.
My son would ask me daily why he had to leave and wasn’t allowed to stay for nap time. I asked Sherry several times, but was told that she would not allow him this opportunity again and would not give him an adjustment period.
My son then started displaying signs of “elopement” according to Sherry. She then told me that if this behavior continued, she would suspend him. A few days later, when I went to pick him up, he ran out the door ahead of me because he was excited to go home. Staff chased him, and I was informed he was going to be suspended. I asked why they chased him, and not a child who had done the same thing 5 minutes before, but one of the staff members looked nervously at Sherry’s door and told me that I would have to ask Sherry.
The fear and intimidation were clearly visible in all the interactions I had with staff members.
After my son was suspended, I had had enough, I had to get my son out of that situation. I pulled him from the program because I no longer felt that he would be treated well. Sherry then told me that “this was her neighborhood, and she knew the people at the school we were going to,” trying to intimidate me further. I am unsure of their contact afterwards but based on the unprofessional handling and treatment of my child I would not be surprised if she was in contact with them as well.
The way that my son and I were treated by Sherry is not something that I hope anyone else will have to endure. I am glad that she is being investigated for her actions, and hope that she will be held fully accountable for all the pain she has caused.
Also, I think it is worth noting that it has been a very difficult road in reporting this. I have been trying to report this to someone, anyone, since the end of September and have gotten little response and pushed to the next department. I started in the CARES crisis counseling which sent me to an interim director of ASI who didn’t respond. I then reached out to the ASI president who responded once but then when I reached out for an appointment, did not follow through. I reached out to the Sac State Hornet in hopes that they could bring attention to this environment that had been existing on our campus, they were responsive but were met with barriers when investigating. I then reached out to the Disability access center who referred me to the office of equal opportunity. The OEO informed me that because ASI was not part of the University, it was not within their scope. I was then referred to the HR department of ASI who informed me that my complaint would not be addressed directly, but there would be more training for the children’s center. I then saw that Sherry been placed on administrative leave for another incident. I want to make sure that our experience is known as well and that she not be allowed to continue inflicting harm on families throughout the sac state community.
Jennifer Zanardi • Mar 4, 2025 at 7:17 pm
Back in 2012, I filed complaints about the way she treated me as a mom. At the time, I was a single mother relying on subsidized childcare while earning my degree, and she constantly reminded me that I “didn’t pay for my care.” She was incredibly cruel, intimidating, and blatantly racist—the absolute worst kind of person to be in that position.
She demeaned others, too. She told my friend, also a single mom, that her child was a “street kid.” She even had the audacity to tell a mother whose husband was deployed that she wasn’t paying for daycare either.
When I spoke up about her behavior as I left, I was dismissed and told she was “just doing her job.” It was absolutely deplorable.
Kristina • Mar 4, 2025 at 7:02 pm
This is all true – Signed an employee from 2004
Talitha Marquez • Mar 4, 2025 at 6:50 pm
So sad to know this is continuing. I resigned in 2006 and detailed my experience in my resignation letter but learned that HR told the director to call me and let me know she “handled” things.
Denise Plant • Mar 6, 2025 at 11:41 am
When I resigned in 2020, I also shared my experience with HR regarding Sherry and nothing came of it. I’m glad people are speaking up. She was horrible.