SUOAF Minority Directory

Temporarily under revision. Please check back soon for updates.

Welcome to the SUOAF Minority Recruitment and Mentoring Committee (MRMC) Member Directory.

SUOAF MRMC proudly showcases our minority administrators (African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Alaskan/Aleutian), at Southern Connecticut State University. MRMC is committed to diversity and our mission to pursue excellence, foster leadership, and empower communities. 

The purpose of this directory is to connect administrators within the campus community as a resource to one another as well as our students and faculty. Our hope is to expand this directory in the future to represent all staff and faculty members of color at Southern. 

Please utilize this directory as a resource to network and discover all that Southern has to offer. This resource is significant for students, faculty, and staff looking for representation, building connections, and increasing a sense of belonging.

Omar Abid
Omar Abid
Technical Support Analyst
Computer Science
(203) 392-9959

Education
M.S. Comp Sci (in progress) B.S. Comp Sci, B.A. Economics - SCSU

Languages
Hindi; Spanish
Alandre Alexis
Student Affairs Case Coordinator
Dean of Students / Support & Opportunity Center
(203) 392-6137

Education
M.S. Counselor Education - CCSU; B.A. Psychological Sciences - UConn
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Reading, Music, Art, Mentorship, Mental Health, First Generation, and Student Support
Sean Alexis
Assitant Inventory & Property Control Coordinator
Facilities Operation-Inventory Control
(203) 392-6074

Education
Bachelor of Science-Communications, SCSU; MBA-Management, SCSU
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Sports, weightlifting, union activism, movies
Haneen Alkabasi
Registrar Services Assistant
Registrar's Office
(203) 392-5246

Special Interests
Baking, Reading, and Volunteering

Languages
Arabic
Dr. Daphney Alston
Dr. Daphney Alston
Assistant Director
Student Involvement and Leadership Development
(203) 392-7297
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Languages
French, including French Creole
Lisa Barber
Lisa Barber
Clinical Practice Manager/Clinical Instructor
Communication Disorders
(203) 392-5963

Education
B.A. Bowdoin College, M.S. SCSU

Special Interests
National Black Association for Speech-Language-Hearing
Gregory Bernard
Gregory Bernard
Director of Alumni Relations
Institutional Advancement
(203) 392-6501

Education
Bachelor's Degree - SCSU; Master's Degree - CCSU
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Leadership and Career Development
Kimoya Bowman
Kimoya Bowman
Residence Hall Director
Office of Residence Life
(203) 392-6369

Education
Masters of Science in College Student Personnel from the University of Rhode Island, Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Connecticut
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Student Advising, Orientation Services
Ebonee Brown
Associate Registrar
Registrar's Office
(203) 392-5317

Education
Business Administration, B.A. - Bennett College for Women; Master of Business Administration - Southern CT State University
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Mentoring, Advising, Student Groups, Leadership Skills
Dian Brown-Albert
Dian Brown-Albert
Director of Student Academic & Curricular Initiatives
Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
(203) 392-5879

Education
SCSU -Bachelor of Science (Liberal Studies) SCSU - Master of Science (Community Counseling)
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Mentor, Advisor to Multicultural Organizations, Multicultural Programming, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dreamers Action Alliance, Former SCSU Track Captain & Residence Hall Director
Phil Bryant
Simulation Tech and IT
HHS
(203) 392-5402

Education
M.A. UCONN, M.S. Southern, Ed.D WCSU (2028)
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.
Charlene Cammarasana
Charlene Cammarasana
Assistant Director, Fiscal Administration
Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development
(203) 392-8964

Education
BS-Communication, SCSU
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.
Darlene Castillo
Clinical Instructor
Department of Commuincation Disorders
(203) 392-8811

Education
Master's Degree in Commuinication Disorders - SCSU
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Family Advocacy

Languages
Spanish
Jian Chan
Jian Chan
Webmaster
Integrated Communications & Marketing
(203) 392-6587

Education
B.S. in Computer Science
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Anime Society advisor, Tabletop Club advisor, music production, programming

Languages
Cantonese
Jay Chhabra
Financial Info Sys Systems Spec
Financial Planning
(203) 392-6852

Education
MBA
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Languages
Hindi
Richard Cogswell
Director of Custodial/Grounds
Facilities Operations
(203) 868-4874
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.
Dr. Ebony Cole
Associate Director
Financial Aid
(203) 392-5228

Education
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Master of Business Administration - Albertus Magnus College; Doctor of Education, Northcentral University
Ayeisha Cole
Ayeisha Cole
Director
Health and Human Services, CARE
(203) 392-8883

Education
MPH, Benedictine University and BA, LeMoyne-Owen College

Special Interests
Professional Mentorship, Public Health Interest
Tahnee Cookson Muhammad
Community Outreach Coordinator
CARE - Community Alliance for Research & Engagement
(203) 936-8617
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.
Naiomy Cotto
Payroll Assistant
Payroll
(203) 392-5430
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Languages
Spanish
Anay's Cruz-Alonso
Admissions Counselor
Undergraduate Admissions
(203) 392-5247

Education
B.S. in Early Childhood Education and B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Southern Connecticut State University, M.S. in Counselor Education: Student Development in Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University

Special Interests
I enjoy spending time with my family and event planning. SCSU ConnCAP Grant Program, INQ faculty, Former Residence Hall Director and Graduate Intern in Orientation, Transition, and Family Engagement

Languages
Spanish
Rachel Cunningham-Exavier
Rachel Cunningham-Exavier
Assistant Director
Office of Career and Professional Development
(203) 392-6607

Education
Bachelors of Arts in Psychology (Central Connecticut State University), Masters in Public Administration (University of Phoenix)
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Make-up, Travel, Children/Youth, Community, Music
Widelyne Dorelus
Widelyne Dorelus
Assistant Director of Academic Advising
Academic Advising
(203) 392-6747

Education
M.S. Counseling Specializing in Student Development in Higher Education (from CCSU), B.A. Psychology (from SCSU)
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Languages
French, including French Creole
Willie Epps
Willie Epps
Assistant Director of Residence Life
Residence Life
(203) 392-8929

Special Interests
Health & Fitness, Sports, Photography, Golf
Molly Fortuna
Laboratory Technician
Nursing
(860) 416-2825

Education
MSN Western Governors University
Carlos A. Galarza
Carlos A. Galarza
Assistant Director of Field Education
Social Work
(203) 392-6684

Education
BSW - SCSU 2018, MSW - UCONN 2019
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Languages
Spanish
Dr. Swapna Bhargavi Gantasala
Student Success Coach, Director Career Springboard, Assistant Professor
School of Business
(929) 928-7187

Education
Ph. D in Management, SK UNIVERSITY, INDIA

Languages
Hindi; Telugu
Esteban Garcia
Esteban Garcia
Bursar
Student Accounts
(203) 392-6140

Education
B.S. Business Administration - University of Connecticut. MBA - New England College of Business

Special Interests
Dreamers Action Alliance, OLAS, Politics

Languages
Spanish
Jay Henderson
Associate Director of the Center for Intercultural Engagement
Center for Intercultural Engagement / Multicultural Affairs
(203) 392-6178

Education
BA, SCSU & MS, CCSU

Special Interests
Leadership Development; Campus Programming; Student Development Theory; LGBTQ+ Advocacy; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work; Identity & Personhood; SCSU Alum
Tanya Henneghan
Tanya Henneghan
Director of Information Systems-Technology Administration
Information Technology
(203) 392-7776

Education
BS(Clarkson University), MPH(UCONN), MBA(Quininipiac University), MSOL in Progress(Quinnipiac University, AI Strategy Certification(Cornell University)

Special Interests
AnitaB.org, AUCC, LYFE, NBMBAA, SGRho, SWE, and anything STEM related for Youth
Sujatha Herne
Sujatha Herne
Clinic Manager
Marriage and Family Therapy
(203) 392-6413

Education
Bachelor of Art's, 2013 Sacred Heart University, Master's, Marriage and Family Therapy 2020 SCSU

Special Interests
baking, my dog (a dachshund named Maple), Halloween, therapy
Dr. Jessica Jensen
Dr. Jessica Jensen
Associate Dean
School of Graduate and Professional Studies
(203) 392-5345

Education
PhD and MA, UPenn; BA Brown U

Special Interests
World Languages and Cultures, Study abroad

Languages
French, including French Creole
Jordan Jones
Jordan Jones
Administrator Coordinator
Interdisciplinary Studies
(203) 392-7081

Education
MS, Education (Higher Education) Capella University; BS, Journalism Southern Connecticut State University
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Journalism/media, labor/unions, education, podcasts
Jinho Jung
IR Specialist
IT
(775) 385-2681

Languages
Korean
Richard Kearney
Assistant Director
Financial Aid
(203) 392-5222

Education
BS CIS SCSU and MBA SCSU
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Food, Gaming, Odd Videos, Comedy
Huma Khalid
Fiscal Associate, Post Award Services
Sponsored Program and Research
(203) 392-6820

Languages
Hindi; Urdu, Punjabi
Andrew Kim
Andrew Kim
Major Gifts Officer
Institutional Advancement
(203) 392-7235

Special Interests
Fundraising, Mentoring, Professional Development

Languages
Korean
David Lee
David Lee
Student Engagement Specialist
School of Nursing
(203) 392-7540

Education
B.A.-Purchase College, SUNY; M.Ed.-Grand Valley State University

Special Interests
Mentorship, Leadership, DEI Training, Team-building

Languages
Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese
Gloria Lee
Gloria Lee
Associate Director of First Year Admissions
First Year Admissions
(203) 392-6606

Education
AS: Gateway, BS: SCSU and MBA: SCSU
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Languages
Spanish
Dr. Elizabeth Lewis Roberts
Dr. Elizabeth Lewis Roberts
Associate Dean-College of Arts and Sciences (STEM)
College of Arts and Sciences
(203) 392-6904

Education
AB- Dartmouth College, PHD-Rutgers University
Chrystal Long
Coordinator of Multicultural Counseling
Counseling Services
(203) 392-5475

Education
Ed.D-Counseling and Supervision (in progress)-SCSU; MS in clinical mental health counseling with school counseling certification - SCSU; BA in Psychology - Albertus Magnus College
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Counseling, Multicultural Counseling, Social Justice, DEI, Decolonization, Leadership and Advocacy, Mentoring
Melissa Lopez
Melissa Lopez
Associate Director
Student Health Services
(203) 668-2043

Education
MPH, SCSU
Kayla Luciano
Student Engagement Specialist
Social Work
(860) 899-6950

Education
Bachelor of Arts, 2018 from Providence College and Masters in Social Work from Southern in 2019
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Music, poetry, dancing, traveling, try new places to eat, reading, and hiking
Jasmine Lyle
Financial Aid Counselor
Financial Aid and Scholarship
(203) 392-5222

Education
AS- Fashion Merchandise
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.
Xenia Machado-Jacques
Xenia Machado-Jacques
Assistant Director of Admissions
Admissions
(203) 392-6109

Education
BA - St. Bonaventure University MA - Stony Brook University
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
First-Gen, Career Coaching, Event Planning, Mental Health & Wellness, Mentoring, and Travel
Ashlee Matthews
Contract Compliance and Procurement Specialist
Business Services
(401) 545-5120

Education
BS in Finance-University of Rhode Island
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Strategic Sourcing
Niasia Mercado-Walters
Niasia Mercado-Walters
Assistant Director
University Access Programs (UAP) Office
(203) 392-6888

Education
BS (SCUS) and MS (CCSU)
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
UAP Advocate support, Upperclassman career support, Mindfulness, Wellness/stress management, student development (finding meaning and purpose)
Jenesis Miranda
Residence Hall Director - Wilkinson Hall
Residence Life
(203) 392-6347

Education
(CCSU ) M.S. Counselor Education | Specialization in Student Development in Higher Education (UConn) B.A. English | Minor in Urban and Community Studies
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
First-generation, comedy,
Hanna Natalino
Grant Project Assistant
Health and Human Services - CARE
(203) 605-8716
Javon Noblin
Assistant Director
Transfer Admissions & Services
(203) 392-5651

Education
Master's of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.): Sacred Heart University; Bachelor's of Arts in English: Eastern CT State University

Special Interests
Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Education for students of color, Student Club Advising, Student/Campus Event Planning, Coordinating & Logistics, Former Res Lifer & Student Activities Director, Make-Up, and All things Harry Potter!
Chelsea Ortiz
Chelsea Ortiz
Director, Nursing Admissions & Enrollment Management
Nursing
(203) 392-7240

Education
MPH (Southern CT State University), BA Communication (Fairfield University)

Special Interests
Parenting-Students, Professional Development, Women in Leadership

Languages
Spanish
Leilannie Quintana
Leilannie Quintana
Coordinator for Nursing Scholarships and Early College Programs
School of Nursing
(203) 392-5042

Education
SCSU, BS in Business Administration / Sacred Heart University, MBA

Special Interests
Dreamers Alliance, Spanish speaking group at SCSU, INQ Faculty

Languages
Spanish
Dr. Allyson Regis
Dr. Allyson Regis
Wellbeing Coordinator
Wellbeing Center
(203) 392-5477

Education
Stony Brook University BA, Fordham University MSEd & PhD

Special Interests
Music; Poetry; Anime; Health & Wellness; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Marilu Rochefort
Marilu Rochefort
Health Program Associate
Health Services
(203) 392-7160

Education
M.A. Special Education/Learning Disabilities, Kean University; B.A. Early Childhood Education/Psychology, Kean University

Special Interests
Vocalist, Theater, Painting

Languages
Spanish
Manpreet Sachdeva
Financial Analyst
University Accounting
(203) 392-7373

Education
MBA- Southern CT State University

Special Interests
Badminton, Photography

Languages
Hindi; Punjabi
Chester Sample
Customer Support Center Manager
Information Technology
(610) 888-5137

Education
Bachelors in Science, Masters in Science focusing in Cybersecurity

Special Interests
Member of SOUAF Social Committee, IT Technical background, Graphic Design, Health, Sports, Gaming
Maribel Sanchez
Associate Director of University Access Programs
University Access Programs
(203) 392-6850

Education
B.S. Sociology, ECSU and M.S. Organizational Management and Leadership, ECSU
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Dreamers Alliance

Languages
Spanish
Betsy Sanz
Betsy Sanz
Assistant Director of Academic Advising
Academic Advising
(203) 392-6948

Education
B.F.A. Studio Art from Rosemont College, M.A. Higher Education and Student Affairs from University of Connecticut
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Video games, running, cats
Krishna Soni
Krishna Soni
Assessment Research Analyst
Office of Institutional Research and Assessment
(203) 339-2886

Education
BS, MS
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Education, Research, Social Justice, Equity

Languages
Gujarati
Vanessa Spence
Assistant in Business Services
Accouts Payable
(203) 392-5439
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.
Dawn Stanton
Dawn Stanton
Director of University Access Programs
University Access Programs UAP
(203) 392-6815

Education
Southern Connecticut State University

Special Interests
First- Generation, Black Student Union, SEOP, New Haven Promise
Thierry Thesatus
Thierry Thesatus
Associate Dean of Career and Student Success
Office of Career & Professional Development
(203) 392-8192

Education
Associate- Kingsborough CC, Bachelors and Masters- Stony Brook University, Ed.D- St. John's University
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
Career Development, "Soft skill" development

Languages
French, including French Creole
Vu Trieu
Vu Trieu
Director, Support Services
Office of Information Technology
(860) 392-5034

Education
BA and MA at CCSU

Special Interests
Golf and Aquariums

Languages
Vietnamese; Chaozhou Chinese
Cristalyn Vargas
Cristalyn Vargas
Student Engagement Specialist
School of Nursing
(203) 392-8839

Education
BS & MS from Syracuse University
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.
Dr. Ayanna Walker
Dr. Ayanna Walker
Associate Dean
College of Health and Human Services
(203) 392-6020

Education
BS - Sport Science UCONN; MS - Athletic Training - California University of PA; PhD - Health Education - Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Special Interests
Travel, language, health, & fitness
Megane Watkins
Campus One Card Administrator
Card Services
(203) 392-6846

Education
BS, University of Bridgeport, MBA, Albertus Magnus College
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.
Robert Yanez
Associate Director
Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services (CASAS)
(203) 392-7231

Education
Bachelors~ SUNY Cortland & Master's Edinboro University Counseling & Higher Ed.
First in the family to earn a four-year degree.

Special Interests
First Gen, Support for Academic Success, Student Leadership, Development and Mentoring

Languages
Spanish