Multicultural Center

Professional Staff


Katy

Katy Valentin (Pronounced Val-in-teen)

Pronouns | She, Her, Hers

Director - Multicultural Center

Email: kl-gorsuch@wiu.edu

Katy serves as the Director of the Multicultural Center. She received her master's degree in educational and interdisciplinary studies and her bachelor's degree in Spanish, both from WIU. She is in the process of completing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. She has a passion for supporting college students on their pathway to success and developing an inclusive environment where students can feel empowered and grow as leaders. She enjoys spending her free time traveling and watching movies with her children, Nehemiah and Valentina. Her favorite movies include the original Star Wars Trilogy, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy,  Avengers: Endgame, and Encanto. 

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” - Gandalf, The Lord of the Rings

Leron

LeRon Williams (Pronounced La-Ron)

Pronouns | He, Him, His

Associate Director - Multicultural Center

Email: la-williams2@wiu.edu

LeRon Williams serves as the Associate Director of the Multicultural Center. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Sociology. He is currently pursuing his master's degree at WIU. LeRon has a passion for developing leaders and working with organizations that prioritize mentorship in underserved communities. He is a proud husband to his wife of 8 years, Brittney, and a proud father of his 4 year old son, Adam. His favorite movies are: The Harder They Fall, All About the Benjamins, Meteor Man,  John Wick (I, II,  III).

~Swedish Proverb - 

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

~Matthew 5:14-16

 


Aminat 2

Aminat Olayiwola

Pronouns | She, Her, Hers

Graduate Assistant - Multicultural Center

Email: ao-olayiwola@wiu.edu 

Aminat is a second year graduate student in Public Health department. She is also an Electoral committee at the African Student’s Association. Aminat is very passionate about helping people feel better about themselves and about the world. She enjoys traveling and working out in the gym. Her goal for this school year is to balance her emotions with challenges from school and her personal life.

Do not get sad after making mistakes. They are only experiences gained that never appear on your resume.


Asia

Asia Billingslea

Pronouns | She, Her, Hers

Graduate Assistant - Women's Center

Email: a-billingslea@wiu.edu

Asia is from the suburbs of Chicago. Her favorite hobbies are dancing, doing nails, and creating art. She recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and justice administration at Western in 2022. She is currently a second year graduate student in the Sociology program. Her career goal is to work with nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing guidance to young girls as they transition into young ladies. Her favorite movies include Lilo and Stitch: Stitch Has a Glitch and Mulan.

You miss 100% of the shots that you don't take! 


Dammy

Elizabeth Morales

Pronouns | She, Her, Hers

Graduate Assistant - Casa Latina

Email: ej-morales@wiu.edu

Elizabeth is a second year student in the Public Safety Administration program. She is a first generation student raised in Aurora, IL. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in law enforcement and justice administration from WIU in the Fall 2022. During her undergraduate career, she worked as a Leatherneck Success Leader, was the Vice President of Minorities in Blue, a member of Mock Trial, and an explorer of the Macomb Police Explorer Post #4044. She is currently the Captain of the Macomb Police Explorer Post #4044. Her favorite movie is The Book of Life.

 

Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, but Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present. - Master Oogway

Germaine

Germaine Long Jr.

Pronouns | He, Him, His

Graduate Assistant - Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center

Email: g-long@wiu.edu

Germaine is a second year graduate student pursuing his master's degree in sociology. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business at WIU in 2022. He plans to go into the Market Research field once he graduates in spring 2024. Germaine looks forward to the impact that he will be able to have on campus in this role. In his free time he enjoys going to the gym, playing the game, and reading. Last but not least, he is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

 

 

 

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.


Jaime

Jaime Marban

Pronouns | He, Him, His

Graduate Assistant - Casa Latina

Email: j-marban@wiu.edu

Jaime Marban is a second year graduate student pursuing his master's degree in public safety administration. He graduated with his bachelor's degree in lLaw enforcement and justice administration from WIU in 2020. He then worked as an Immigration Legal Assistant during his time away from school. Jaime has aspirations of pursuing his JD after grad school and is passionate about education and cultural pride, as he believes that in order to emanate change, one must dispel ignorance, so that we can help bind society together based upon the principles of fairness, opportunity and equality.

 

 

Adversity Prospers Growth.


Jalen

Jalen Carlos

Pronouns | Any Pronouns

Graduate Assistant - Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center

Email: ja-carlos@wiu.edu

Jalen came to WIU in 2018 and has been here ever since. He received his bachelor's degree in political science with a pre-law option and minors in African American studies and sociology. He plays various instruments including piano, saxophone, and flute. He's been in band for over a decade and sat on various organizations such as Black Student Association, NAACP, Student Government Association, and more. His favorite movie is When A Stranger Calls.

 

 


Janae

Janae' Patterson

Pronouns | She, Her, Hers

Graduate Assistant - LGBT*QA Resource Center

Email: j-patterson@wiu.edu

Janae' Patterson is a first year graduate student pursuing her master's degree in recreation, park, and tourism administration, while also obtaining her post-baccalaureate certificate in event planning and program management. She has been attending Western since 2017 and obtained her bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical chemistry with a double minor in zoology and computer science in Spring of 2022.  During her undergraduate studies at Western, Janae' was an MCC Lead Ambassador, served as President of Black Student Summit and Campus Girls Scouts. Her career goal is to ultimately work as a Director of a tourist operation (ie. Museum or Hotel) and also opening her own coffee shop.

If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.  - Shirley Chisholm

Kennedy Morgan

Pronouns | She, Her, Hers

Graduate Assistant - Women's Center

Email: ka-morgan2@wiu.edu

Kennedy (also goes by Ken) is a second year graduate student in the Psychology program. She graduated from WIU with her bachelor's degree in psychology and minors in creative writing and mental health. She is a huge movie buff and enjoys reading as well. She loves to dance, say random movie quotes, and help people. Kennedy is excited to be a GA in the Women's Center and mentor students. 

We're all playing the same game, just different levels. Dealing with the same hell, just different devils

YazminYazmin Laserna Escobar 

Pronouns | She, Her, Hers

Graduate Assistant - LGBT*QA Resource Center

Email: yt-laserna@wiu.edu

Yazmin is a first year graduate student in the Public Safety and Administration program. She graduated with her bachelor's in forensic psychology with a minor in Criminalistics this past spring. Yazmin is very passionate about advocating for others, whether that be people or animals :)! She has worked at the MCC since 2019, and has loved every minute of it. She invites you to come visit us if you ever need a safe space to de-stress or just hangout! 

 

 

Don't let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace --Dalai Lama