Multicultural Center
Meet the MCC Staff!
Rocio Ayard Ochoa
Pronouns | She, Her, Hers
Director - Multicultural Center
r-ayardochoa@wiu.edu
In her role as the Director of the Multicultural Center, Rocio (Row-see-o) is passionate about social justice, intersectionality, and developing students through education, engagement and leadership. She ensures 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. Her favorite place to travel is Rome, Italy. Her favorite movies are "Finding Nemo" & "Hidden Figures". One of her goals for this year is to meet as many new students as possible!
Her favorite quote is
Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?- Frida Kahlo
Carl Ervin
Pronouns | He, Him, His
Associate Director - Multicultural Center
cw-ervin@wiu.edu
Carl serves as the Associate Director of the Multicultural Center. He assists students and the MCC in a commitment to growth, development, success and excellence. One of his goals for the year is to make each day a great day for someone. One of his favorite places to travel in the summer is Toronto, Canada. One of his favorite movies is Black Panther, and one of his 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.
His 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
Haley Rednour
Pronouns | She, Her, Hers
Graduate Assistant - Women's Center
hm-rednour@wiu.edu
Haley is a second year in the College Student Personnel (CSP) Masters program. She graduated from the University of St. Francis majoring in Psychology in 2020. Her goal this year is to actively work to promote equality for ALL women on campus and throughout the Macomb community by celebrating the intersectionality of women identities, advocating for women's needs, and providing support and resources to women throughout the community.
Degrees: B.A. in Psychology from University of St. Francis
Her favorite quote is
T rue self-care is not bath salts and chocolate cake, it is making the choice to build a life you don't need to regularly escape from.
Eiran Saucedo-Rodarte
Pronouns | He, Him, Èl
Graduate Assistant - Casa Latina Cultural Center
e-saucedo-rodarte@wiu.edu
Eiran (Aye-Raan) is currently in his last year of the Masters of College Student Personnel program. He is a proud Alumni of Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS. At FHSU he was most notably involved in the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, Student Government, and the Diversity and Inclusion Office. Outside of his work/studies, he is passionate about liberation movements, climate change, and way too many hobbies. His goal for this year is to create a culture of community and collaboration in and outside of the Latinx community at WIU.
Degrees:
B.A.
in Human Services, Certificate in Grant Writing and Program Evaluation from Fort Hays State University
His favorite quote is
From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs
Meyani Montano
Pronouns | She, Her, Ella
Graduate Assistant - Casa Latina Cultural Center
ma-montano@wiu.edu
Meyani (May-on-ee) is currently working on her Masters degree in the Public Safety Administration program. She is a proud alumna from WIU in which she founded AMPLIFY and was involved in the United Greek Council, Latin American Student Organization, and more! She is an equity-focused advocate for all underrepresented and marginalized voices. Her passions align with restorative justice practices, diversity and inclusion, and the implementation of social justice in all areas of her work. Her goal for this year is to cultivate student leadership in the most motivating and sustainable way possible!
Degrees:
B.S. in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University
Her favorite quote is
In order to love who you are, you cannot hate the experienes that shaped you
Kwyn Townsend Riley
Pronouns | She, Her, Hers
Graduate Assistant - Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center
k-townsendriley@wiu.edu
Kwyn is a Southside native, from Chicago. She 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! One of her goals this year is for everyone to know more about Gwendolyn Brooks and why Black Lives Matter.
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 second year in the College Student Personnel masters program. She is an alumna of Georgia Southern University hailing from the mountains of north Georgia. She is a passionate about social justice and hopes to create a lasting impact on the queer community as WIU.
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
Mike Oyelami
Pronouns | He, Him, His
Graduate Assistant - LGBT*QA Resource Center
tm-oyelami@wiu.edu
Mike is a current graduate student in the MBA program. He's from the western part of Africa. He is so passionate about advocacy and social justice for LGBTQ+ members in Africa and the world at large. He loves good music, fashion, and hanging out.
His favorite quote is
Time is a beautifier, time is a destroyer (Hence, let's work within time because time waits for no one)
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