Multicultural Center
Meet the MCC Staff!
Rocio Ayard Ochoa
Pronouns | She, Her, Hers
Director - Multicultural Center
r-ayardochoa@wiu.edu
In my role as the Director of the Multicultural Center I am passionate about social justice, intersectionality, and developing students through education, engagement and leadership. I ensure the MCC provides a unique and empowering space for students to experience college life. It is also important that the MCC 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. My favorite place to travel is Rome, Italy. My favorite movies are "Finding Nemo" & "Hidden Figures". One of my goals for this year is to continue to be a servant leader.
Degrees: B. A. in Sociology from Wartburg College in Waverly Iowa, M.A in Latin American Studies from the University of Granada in Granada, Spain.
My favorite quote is
Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?- Frida Kahlo
Carl Ervin
Pronouns | He, Him, His
Program Coordinator -Multicultural Center
cw-ervin@wiu.edu
My role is Multicultural Center Program Coordinator. I assist students and the MCC in a commitment to growth, development, success and excellence. One of my goals for the year is to make each day a great day for someone. One of my favorite places to travel is Toronto, Canada. That would be in the summer. One of my favorite movies is Black Panther. One of my favorite books is Dune by Frank Herbert.
Degrees: B.S. in Political Science from Illinois State University, M.S. in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
My favorite quote is
I don't know the key to success, but I do know that the key to failure is trying to please everyone- John Wooden, Hall of Fame basketball coach who led UCLA to ten consecutive Division I Basketball championship titles.
Kwyn Townsend Riley
Pronouns | She, Her, Hers
Graduate Assistant - Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center
k-townsendriley@wiu.edu
I am a Southside native, from Chicago. She will be working in the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center at the MCC. Kwyn graduated from the University of Dayton in Ohio in 2016 where she pledged the illustrious sorority Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She was also involved on her campus as the Director of Campus Unity for SGA, NPHC President and was an RA! After graduating Kwyn worked for a few Communication firms and youth centers such as the Gary Comer Youth Center and then worked as a Resource Coordinator for Doolittle Elementary School. Kwyn is the founder of The Underrep'd an LLC which serves black college students who attend predominantly white institutions. She is a national spoken word artist and has performed all over the world - including Germany! Kwyn believes in liberation for all black folx and organizes with BYP100 through a black queer feminist lens. She is honored to be on the MCC team and excited to work with everyone!
Degrees: B.A. in Communications from University of Dayton.
My favorite quote is
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.- Philippians 4:13
Brian Jackson
Pronouns | He, Him, His
Graduate Assistant - Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center
b-jackson3@wiu.edu
Brian will be working this semester as a graduate assistant in the GBCC. He is a proud alumnus of Western. As an undergraduate Brian was very involved with various organizations including BSA, PGS and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Currently, Brian is obtaining his Master of Science in RPTA. Brian wants to pursue a career as an event director and entrepreneur. He is from the South Side of Chicago and grew up playing sports and staying active. His favorite movie is Drumline and TV show is Prison Break. He is a Chicago sports fan for all teams EXCEPT the Cubs. He is very excited to work with the GBCC and everyone who encounters the MCC and can’t wait to work with you all.
Degrees: Bachelor of Business in Management from WIU
My favorite quote is
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.- Matthew 6:34
Sarah Daniels
Pronouns | She, Her, Hers
Graduate Assistant - LGBT*QA Resource Center
sa-daniels@wiu.edu
Sarah is a current graduate student from Jasper, Georgia. She is studying for a master’s degree in College Student Personnel. She enjoys listening to music with friends and trying new things. She is passionate about advocacy for the LGBTQ*A community and equitable access to education. She hopes to grow as a leader and an advocate in her time at Western Illinois.
Degrees: B.S. in Communication Studies from Georgia Southern University.
My favorite quote is
You are a woman, skin and bones, veins and nerves, hair and sweat. You are not made of metaphors, not apologies, not excuses.- Sarah Kay
Eiran Saucedo-Rodarte
Pronouns | He, Him, His
Graduate Assistant - Casa Latina Cultural Center
e-saucedo-rodarte@wiu.edu
Eiran E. Saucedo-Rodarte is a Chicano who was born in Huntington Park, Los Angeles, California and moved to Wichita, KS in 2008. While at FHSU he served as President of the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, Senator in the Student Government Association, and a Facilitator for Orientation programs. He is passionate about issues of injustice, grass-root level organizing, and hopes to be more involved in governmental affairs in the future.
Degrees:
B.A. in Human Services from Fort Hays State University, Certificate in Grant Writing and Program Development/Evaluation from Fort Hays State University.
My favorite quote is
Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours.- César Chávez
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