Tell us about yourself. How long have you been at Missouri State? What has been your career path to lead you to Missouri State?  I’m the oldest of five children and originally from San Dimas, California which is in Los Angeles. My parents are immigrants and came to Los Angeles when they were young teenagers. My mother is from Ecuador and my father is from Guatemala.  I started at Missouri State University this past July – so at this time, I’m on month 7. 

Given that my parents are immigrants; they saw education as the key to success, especially since they were never able to attend college. Since I’m the oldest in my family, I was the first one to go to college, making me a first-generation college student. Being a first-generation college student as well as a student of color situated my career trajectory in higher education as well as my focus in diversity and inclusion. After I completed my college degree, I continued with my graduate degree and after graduation, I started my career at Miami University of Ohio as a First Year Adviser where I oversaw a Residence Hall that housed a diversity themed living learning community. After two years in this position, I became the Assistant Director of Diversity Affairs and Coordinator of Diverse Student Development in the Office of Diversity Affairs. During this time, I was also a part-time PhD student in the Educational Leadership department. After five years, and after becoming a PhD candidate, I decided it was time to transition into a Director position. My husband is originally from Springfield, so when the Executive Director position became open, I felt it was fate and a sign that this was our next step.

You are the Executive Director of Multicultural Programs.  What are your responsibilities? What challenges do you face in this position?  In my position I oversee and supervise the staff in the Multicultural Resource Center, The Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Center Annex as well as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Resource Center. I am also responsible for creating and implementing programs and initiatives that focus on the exploration of identity and self. While traditionally multicultural centers focus on diversity programs and events, my approach to this work emphasizes on creating an atmosphere that fosters student success. I do this by using a program model I created to guide the programs and services we offer which include: Academic Success, Professional Development, Leadership Development, Diversity & Inclusion, Intersectionality and Community Empowerment. I also sit on various campus committees that focus on diversity initiatives and I assist in the oversight of the Inclusive Excellence Leadership Scholarship as well as teach the IES GEP 101 course.

Many of my challenges lie in navigating a new institution environment, operating without a full staff and planning programs and events month by month.  I’m also a new director, so I’m still learning to balance a new role as well as new responsibilities. While this can be overwhelming at times, the students make everything worth it and I have a great staff and colleagues that are supportive and a joy to work with. I feel this summer will give me ample time to prepare for the next academic year.

Tell us about the Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Center. Why is it important to have a multicultural center on campus? The Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Center is an expansion of the Multicultural Resource Center (PSU). These spaces operate as a “home away from home” for many Missouri State students and have become places where students engage in optimal learning promoted through cultural exchanges. These spaces provide students with a place to study, access to computers and free printing, numerous resources, support and community. Many offices on campus are traditional and don’t provide student space, but these spaces are open to all students and allow for them to feel visible, affirmed, safe and create community. These spaces are living examples of our Public Affairs Mission and are very important aspects of campus that every Missouri State student should experience.

What programs are offered for Missouri State students through Multicultural Programs?  Multicultural Programs is well known for its identity history months but we also offer programs focused on Academic Success, Professional Development, Leadership Development, Diversity & Inclusion, Intersectionality and Community Empowerment. Some newly created programs include:

• Lunch & Learn Workshops: These workshops are led by staff, faculty or student organizations and focus on current events, hot topics, or the exploration of identity and self. There are also workshops that focus on various categories of our program model
• Dine & Discuss: These dialogues are evening versions of the Lunch & Learn Workshops. These are sometimes connected to the Identity History Months
• Adulting with the MRC: This program series focuses on skills crucial to students post collegiate life. These take place once a month.
• Documentary & Dialogues: Participants engage in critical dialogue and share their diverse perspectives.

Read more of Yvania’s spotlight here!