Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion

Position Role:
Full-Time Staff

Office Location:
JSSB

Office Number:
230R

Campus Box Number:
62

Bio:

Juan Gallegos joined the MSU Denver team in April 2017 as the Brother2Brother program coordinator. A 5^th generation Coloradan, Juan moved to Washington State and earned a B.A. in psychology and a B.A. in Spanish language from Seattle University. He continued his studies at the University of Washington Seattle where he earned an M.A. Public Affairs. His work in the high school, college, and non-profit space has focused on empowering historically underrepresented students, as well as championing the institutions that serve them well. Juan currently promotes equity and inclusion by serving as the Assistant Director of the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI). Juan enjoys spending time with his family, his dog Luna, and in his free time enjoys all things outdoors, leatherwork, soccer, bonsai and gardening.

Position Role:
Full-Time Staff

Office Location:
JSSB

Office Number:
230R

Campus Box Number:
62

Position Role:
Full-Time Staff

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39

Bio:

Dave Bourassa has worked at MSU Denver since 2012. Prior to coming to the University, Dave worked in several student affairs offices at other Colorado higher education institutions, including in student activities, leadership programming, housing, new student orientation and student conduct. He has worked in Student Activities and Student Affairs in higher education for over 13 years and absolutely loves his career in working with students in different capacities. Dave oversees the Student Travel Program and Student Organizations here at MSU Denver. He has a B.S. in Athletic Training from Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, and a M.A. in Physical Education from the University of Northern Colorado. When he's not working, Dave enjoys spending time in the outdoors skiing, camping, and hiking with his family. Dave lives in Evergreen and really enjoys taking his daughter, Lily, on hiking and ski adventures in the surrounding mountains of his home. Dave was born and raised on the coast of Maine and really misses the ocean and lobster! Dave is also an avid New England Patriots fan!

Position Role:
Full-Time Staff

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39

Bio:

Position Role:
Full-Time Staff

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39

Bio:

Guillermo joined the Metropolitan State University of Denver family in August 2019. Guillermo is a First-Generation Latino college graduate born and raised in Aurora, Colorado by two Mexican immigrants from San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato Mexico. Guillermo received his Bachelor of Arts in Languages, Literature & Culture with a concentration in Spanish at Colorado State University (CSU). While at CSU Guillermo became a member of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity Inc. and was highly involved in student organizations such as the Associated Students of CSU (ASCSU). In June 2017, Guillermo completed his Master of Arts in Higher Education with a concertation in Diversity & Higher Learning from the University of Denver (DU). During his time at DU, Guillermo served as the graduate assistant in the Fraternity & Sorority Life community and facilitated the separation of the Unified Council consisting of the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Panhellenic Council, and the Panhellenic Association into their individual governing councils. Guillermo’s passion lies in helping marginalized communities have access to and through college and creating spaces in higher education for them to thrive. He also enjoys spending his free time with his family and attending as many Latinx concerts possible he can!

Position Role:
Full-Time Staff

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39

Bio:

Oanh Luong is proud to be the Office Manager for Metropolitan University of Denver Office of Student Activities. She obtained her Associate’s Degree in Business from CCD and worked at MSU Denver for twelve years. She is currently providing administrative support for the Office of Student Activities, which includes processing SGA personnel paperwork, and providing assistance in all of the financial processes for SGA as well as for the Office of Student Activities as a whole. She loves her position at MSU Denver, and has a passion for supporting her colleagues, as well as helping students get involved by learning more about campus resources.

Areas of responsibility:

•  Front desk operations
• Process SGA & Student Activities’ student employment paperwork and supervise front desk student employees.
•  Process financial paperwork that including pro-cards, petty cash reimbursement, SPOs, POs, check request, transfer reconciliation.
•  Tracking Student Activities’ budget
•  Process student organization financial paperwork
•  Following Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) policies and coordinating with the AHEC office related to all areas, including event set up, coordination of scheduling conference rooms, work orders.

Position Role:
Intern

Office Location:
JSSB

Campus Box Number:
62

Bio:

Amina is a first-generation college graduate and earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Denver. Born and raised in Colorado, her passion for education was cultivated by a desire to serve local communities in a sustainable way. She aims to support and celebrate underrepresented college students through culturally based programming. Amina likes to dance and read and typically spends her free time hanging out with one of her five siblings. 

Position Role:
Intern

Campus Box Number:
62

Bio:

Born and raised on the Navajo Nation, Lance grew up immersed in his ancestral tradition, culture, and with a deep connection to nature. He grew up herding his grandmother’s goats, riding horses, and exploring the canyonlands surrounding his home – it was here where his worldview took shape. Lance received a B.A. from the University of Denver in Political Science and a minor in International Studies in 2012 and will be pursuing a M.A. for Diversity in Higher Learning at the Morgridge College of Education at DU this fall. Lance is in constant pursuit of empowering?his community, dismantling systems of oppression, and a strong advocate for Justice,?Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. He believes so passionately in the power of education and how it can widen the scope of possibilities for youth. He looks forward to applying his skills, knowledge, and passion to the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion's programming.? 

Position Role:
Intern

Campus Box Number:
62

Bio:

Hey everyone! My name is Thuy, pronounced “twee.” My preferred pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a product of two Vietnam War refugees and the oldest of four, which clearly means my survival skills are superior to those of my siblings, haha. I am the first in my family to pursue higher education. I graduated in 2017 with a degree in Integrative Physiology from CU Boulder. I am now a second-year dental student at CU School of Dental Medicine. Although my academic career has been very focused on sciences and STEM, I value humanities. I am passionate about the social issues that our communities face and I am dedicated to working towards equity and learning to be an ally to communities I may not be a part of. After dental school, I hope to practice in a public health clinic that targets underserved communities. I also hope to eventually pursue a Master’s in Public Health once student loans aren’t as crippling. Some fun things about me, I really enjoy music. I sing, dance and play guitar as well as ukulele. My love language includes sharing a meal with my friends and family. Finally, I eventually want to have at least 4 cats.  

Position Role:
Intern

Campus Box Number:
62

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39

Position Role:
Student Employee

Campus Box Number:
62

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39

Position Role:
Student Employee

Campus Box Number:
62

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
JSSB

Office Number:
230GG

Campus Box Number:
62

Bio:

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
JSSB

Office Number:
230GG

Campus Box Number:
62

Bio:

Diana was born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and was raised in different states of Mexico as she grew older. She is a sophomore Communication Design student at MSU. She plans to use her education to continue to help conveying people’s visions and use her cultural background to drive her designs. At CMEI, Diana is a Web/Graphic Designer. Her main role in the organization is to manage all web content and graphic design projects for the CMEI. She works in collaboration with the Director and Assistant Director, student staff and interns to design culturally relevant and engaging flyers, handouts, and internet content. Diana is interested in being part of a team that promotes the understanding of the unique cultural experiences and learning preferences of MSU students of marginalized/underrepresented racial backgrounds while exploring her own cultural and racial identity. She takes pride in on her cross-cultural skills as a Mexican immigrant and working with the CMEI has helped her gain more confidence in advocating for her community and navigating the dominant culture effectively. Diana loves films, learning about cultures and languages as well as anything related to art or design.

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
JSSB

Office Number:
237

Campus Box Number:
62

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39

Position Role:
Student Employee

Campus Box Number:
39

Position Role:
Student Employee

Campus Box Number:
62

Position Role:
Student Employee

Campus Box Number:
39

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39

Bio:

Hello everyone! I want to begin by introducing myself. For those who don’t know me my name is Karen Alvarez. I was born in Guanajuato, Mexico but was raised in Denver, CO. I am a proud Sister of the Beta Chapter of Pi Lambda Chi Latina Sorority, Inc. and crossed Spring 18’. I currently hold the Academic Chair in my Chapter. I am a third-year at MSU Denver pursuing my BA in Construction Project Management with a Minor in Architecture. For the 2020-2021 school year, I am looking forward to engaging with the different Greek Organizations, creating a community on our campus, and developing professional and networking relationships. I look forward to meeting you all and working alongside your Chapters!

Position Role:
Student Employee

Campus Box Number:
62

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39

Position Role:
Student Employee

Campus Box Number:
62

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
JSSB

Office Number:
237

Campus Box Number:
62

Position Role:
Student Employee

Office Location:
TV

Office Number:
305

Campus Box Number:
39