“The Gonzaga experience fosters a mature commitment to dignity of the human person, social justice, diversity, intercultural competence, global engagement, solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, and care for the planet…” Gonzaga University Mission Statement
The Unity Multicultural Education Center (UMEC) and the Lincoln LGBTQ+ Resource Center make up the Student Identity Development and Inclusion Initiatives area at Gonzaga University. In alignment with our institutional mission, the creation of this area was motivated by the intent to bring together the collective wisdom, resources, and passion of both centers to focus on student identity development, student support, and campus education and awareness to foster inclusive communities. In essence, both centers continue to be two entities working collaboratively to serve the GU community.
Each center offers a lounge space for you to relax before your next class, create community with peers, utilize the computers, and learn more about upcoming programs and events! We’ve had an exciting summer of planning in preparation for what will be an amazing 2016-2017 academic year, especially as we welcome you class of 2020! But first, we’d thought we’d introduce your newest team members to you.
Juanita Jasso, Director, and Deb Ellis, Sr. Program Assistant, welcomed the following new team members this past year.
Sasha Gibson joined us from Western Kentucky University where she had been serving in the Housing and Residence Life department. Originally from Flint, MI, Sasha did her undergraduate studies in English, Gender Studies, and Political Science at Pace University (NYC) and received her Master’s in Adult and Higher Education with a focus in Student Affairs from the University of South Dakota. Sasha is passionate about inter sectional anti-oppression work, poetry, baking, cats, and folky-hipster music. She serves as UMEC’s Social Justice Outreach Coordinator and is primarily responsible for BRIDGE, LEADS, and a variety of programmatic efforts.
Prior to Gonzaga University, María Isabel Morales was an adjunct professor at Washington State University where she completed her Ph.D. in Cultural Studies and Social Thought in Education in May 2015. While completing her graduate studies, Maria Isabel taught courses around culturally responsive teaching, youth cultures, diversity and identity. She is a 1.5 generation immigrant from Michoacán, Mexico and a first generation college student. She obtained her B.A. from Eastern Washington University and is deeply committed to education, equity, and social justice. Maria Isabel is our Student Engagement and Leader ship Coordinator and oversees the Act Six scholarship program, MCHS, Diversity Monologues, and other programmatic efforts.
Matthew Barcus serves as the Lincoln LGBTQ+ Resource Center Program Coordinator. While he is new to Gonzaga University, he is not new to Catholic education. Matthew obtained his B.A. in Psychology from Briar Cliff, a Franciscan Roman Catholic University. Later he received, his Master’s in Adult and Higher Education with a focus in Student Affairs from the University of South Dakota. Mathew is passionate about addressing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and facilitating broader opportunities for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions at GU. His dedication has often extended beyond campus, Matthew has been actively involved with community organizations, presented on LGBTQ+ issues, attended the National LGBT Taskforce Creating Change Conference, and been involved in many other community focused programs. Prior to GU, Matthew served as the Coordinator of Sexual & Gender Diversity at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania.
UMEC and the LGBTQ+ Resource centers are open for the summer! If you find yourself visiting campus in the next couple of weeks, stop by our centers to find out more about resources we have to offer. We look forward to welcoming you to Gonzaga University in a few weeks!
Juanita Jasso is the Director of Student Identity Development & Inclusion Initiatives.