Staff - Western Illinois University

Director - Casa Latina Cultural Center
r-ayardochoa@wiu.edu

What do you do at Casa Latina?: In my role as the Director of Casa Latina Cultural Center and as a student affairs practitioner I am passionate about social justice, intersectionality and developing students through education, engagement and leadership. I ensure Casa provides a unique and empowering space for students to experience college life. It is also important that Casa is a space on campus that offers a holistic learning experience allowing students to explore ethnic identity development, engage in social justice, community outreach, cultural expression, social and professional networking so they can become the best version of themselves.
What degrees do you have?: B. A. in Sociology from Wartburg College in Waverly Iowa and a M.A in Latin American Studies from the University of Granada in Granada, Spain
Favorite place you have traveled?: Rome, Italy
Favorite movie?: Finding Nemo & Hidden Figures
Favorite quote?: Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?
- Frida Kahlo
What is one goal you have for this year?: To continue to be a servant leader.

Office Administrator - The Multicultural Center
JK-Richardson@wiu.edu

What do you do at Casa Latina?: I am the Office Administrator for the Multicultural Center. I am new to the team. I handle all of the room scheduling, budgeting and paperwork for Casa Latina and try to assist the staff and student organizations in any way I can.
What degrees do you have?: I am currently working on a General Studies degree.
Favorite place you have traveled?: Cancun, Mexico
Favorite movie?: Pride & Prejudice
Favorite quote?: "Shake it off; rub some dirt on it!"
What is one goal you have for this year?: My goal this year is to expand my cultural knowledge.

Graduate Assistant - Community Outreach & Communications Coordinator
College Student Personnel, 2019
ea-velazquez@wiu.edu

What do you do at Casa Latina?: I am the adviser for Tradicion Latin Dance Team. I also serve as our Communications and Community Outreach coordinator. I work to establish relationships with campus and community members. I also work with our Casa Ambassadors.
What degrees do you have?: I have a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Latin American & Latino Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Favorite place you have traveled?: Las Vegas with some of my sorority sisters. It was a blast!
Favorite movie?: Currently, my favorite movie is Coco.
Favorite quote?: I trust that everything happens for a reason, even if we are not wise enough to see it
- Oprah Winfrey
What is one goal you have for this year?: I wish to continue to grow as a professional and individual and; continue to bring the Casa community together.

Graduate Assistant - Engagement Coordinator
College Student Personnel, 2020
rm-robles@wiu.edu

What do you do at Casa Latina?: I serve as the Engagement Coordinator which means that I oversee most of Casa's programs and initiatives. In addition, I co-supervise our wonderful team of Casa Ambassadors and advise AMPLIFY.
What degrees do you have?: B.A. in English Language and Literature
Favorite place you have traveled?: Tucson, Arizona
Favorite movie?: A quiet place.
Favorite quote?: You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.
- Henry David Thoreau
What is one goal you have for this year?: I want to learn as much as possible about everything.

Graduate Assistant - Operations Coordinator
College Student Personnel, 2020
j-nino@wiu.edu

What do you do at Casa Latina?: I am the adviser for Mariachi De Oro. I also serve as our Communications and Community Outreach coordinator. I work to establish relationships with campus and community members. I also work with our Casa Ambassadors.
What degrees do you have?: I have a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Sports Broadcasting from Western Illinois University.
Favorite place you have traveled?: New Orleans! I have gone multiple times and it is honestly so much fun, I love going back!
Favorite movie?: I love watching movies but Bad Boys and Bad Boys 2 are definitely my favorite.
Favorite quote?: No vine a ver si puedo, Si no porque puedo vengo.
What is one goal you have for this year?: I would love to grow as a professional and to also build mentoring relationships with students.

Practicum Student
College Student Personnel 2020
c-garcia5@wiu.edu

What do you do at Casa Latina?: I work specifically on Calle Murray projects and I'm looking to make it the most fun event yet!
What degrees do you have?: Bachelor's of Science in Sport and Fitness Studies and I'm currently a first-year graduate student working on my Master's of Science in College Student Personnel.
Favorite place you have traveled?: My favorite place to travel to is back to my hometown of Miami, FL.
Favorite movie?: My absolute, all-time favorite movie is RENT
Favorite quote?: No Day But Today

Practicum Student
College Student Personnel 2020
ja-cabrerasandoval@wiu.edu

What do you do at Casa Latina?: I am the Volunteer Services Coordinator
What degrees do you have?: Bachelors of Science in Biology minor in Visual Arts and Masters of Science in CSP
Favorite place you have traveled?: Madrid Spain in 2011
Favorite movie?: Little Mermaid
Favorite quote?: Pies para qué los quiero si tengo alas para volar
- Frida Khalo

Western Illinois University