Meet the Pro Staff | Gonzaga University

Staff

Jessie Mancilla, M.A., he/him/el

Director, Unity Multicultural Education Center

Phone: 509-313-5267

Prior to Gonzaga University, Jessie was the Associate Director of Multicultural Affairs for the School of Industrial Labor Relations at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and the Director of Latino Affairs at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MNSU). Born and raised outside the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, he earned his B.A. from the University of North Texas in Radio, Television and Film. Jessie was a video editor for FUNimation Entertainment after graduating from North Texas. He moved to Minnesota to shift careers and earned his B.S. in Political Science and M.S. Educational Leadership from Winona State University. His interests include hiking, CrossFit, advocating for others, and building relationships.

SR, M.A., they/them/theirs

Assistant Director, Unity Multicultural Education Center

Social Justice Peer Education

Dialogue Programs

Training & Presentation Requests

Phone: 509-313-5835

SR is Appalachia born, Flint, MI raised and earned their bachelor’s in English Lit and Gender Studies from Pace University in NYC. SR completed graduate work in Adult and Higher Education at the University of South Dakota, interning with TRiO programs, Multicultural Student support, and other areas of student affairs including Housing and Residence Life. SR spent time working in Residence Life and teaching at Western Kentucky University supporting first-generation students, low-income students, and students of color in their work prior to joining the Gonzaga Community. SR is passionate about the issues that impact all peoples experiencing marginalization and is actively involved in their community as well as leading a home life full of books, baking, and cat adoration.

Alfonso Amanecer, M.A., he/him/his

Program Manager for Mentoring

Act Six

BRIDGE

Phone: 509-313-4105

Alfonso, also known as Fonsi, comes from the Biggest Little City in the world -- Reno, NV. After some travel during the first part of his college career, Fonsi graduated from Whitworth University where he earned his degree in Psychology with a minor in Athletic Coaching. He then later earned his Master’s in Administrative Leadership from Whitworth University. A former college football player, Fonsi hung up his cleats and found another passion in developing an inclusive community that helps all students from different backgrounds reach their goals. Fonsi hopes to mentor and assist students from marginalized communities and identities in developing the skills they need to succeed in college, as well as, after they graduate. He enjoys reading, watching a good movie, spending quality time with good people, and trying new restaurants because he loves food.

Tere Graham, she/her/hers

Program Manager for Social Justice Programming

Diversity Monologues

Speakers

Films

Art & Activism Workshops

Phone: 509-313-6368

Tere is a native of Compton/Los Angeles, CA and earned her bachelor’s degree in Government with a minor in Sociology from Eastern Washington University. She worked in Africana Studies as a Mentor to underrepresented and marginalized students with the UJIMA Program and served as Associate Justice over the student body. Tere has an infectious passion for Social Justice, a heart for her community, and an unparalleled tenacity for equity and truth. She cultivates authentic relationships by exchanging the need to respond with the necessity to hear. Tere appreciates culture and recognizes its value, which has led to her travels to Spain, Portugal, Panama City, and Colombia where she has forged lasting relationships and partnerships with amazing people doing amazing work in the world. Tere honors family, enjoys dancing to good music, and creating new vegan recipes.

Marjan Dehkordi, she/her/hers

Office Assistant

Phone: 509-313-4037

Born in Iran, Marjan and her family immigrated to the Seattle area when she was just three years old. Her family put down roots in Seattle and Marjan went on to earn her bachelor's degree in English Literature with a minor in Women's Studies from Western Washington University. Later she and her husband moved to Eastern Washington, where she studied Interior Design at Washington State University (Spokane Campus) and he began his career as a veterinarian. Marjan is passionate about helping others and enjoys interacting with students in UMEC. When she is not working, she looks forward to spending time with her husband and two kids. They try and go adventuring as much as possible in their 1991 Westfalia Camper.

Unity Multicultural Education Center
702 E Desmet,
Hemmingson Center, Suite 215
Spokane, WA 99258
Phone: (509) 313-5836
Email: umec@gonzaga.edu
www.gonzaga.edu/umec

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