Meet the Staff

Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers staff members are here to support students. Out department that houses five identity-based resource centers, each of which have dedicated staff to serve students who utilize those spaces.

 


Professional Staff

We are a team of student-centered professionals who put the needs of the students we serve at the forefront. As individuals, many members of the team utilized spaces like DIRC in our own educational journeys and we each deeply understand the transformative impact that the programs, resources, and services offered by these spaces can have. Collectively we are committed to holistic student development that celebrates diversity through a lens of inclusion, equity, and justice.

DIRC Director Yvania

Dr. Yvania Garcia-Pusateri, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)

Director, Diversity Initiatives & Resource Centers
ygarcia-pusateri@fullerton.edu

Dr. Yvania Garcia-Pusateri serves as the Director of Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers at Cal State Fullerton. She is from San Dimas, California and has been in education for 14 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Journalism from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Science in College Counseling and Student Development. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership focused on Leadership, Culture and Curriculum from Miami University. Dr. Garcia-Pusateri has served in numerous roles and worked at Miami University, Missouri State University and recently served as the inaugural Chief Equity and Diversity Officer for Springfield Public Schools. Dr. Garcia-Pusateri enjoys spending time with her husband, Cody and children, Logan, and Arya. She is also a sister of Sigma Lambda  Gamma National Sorority, Inc.       

Image of Tuffy

 

Mariham Iskander M.A. M.S. (they/them/theirs - she/her/hers)

Associate Director, Diversity Initiatives & Resource Centers

miskander@fullerton.edu

Mariham Iskander (they/she) is the Associate Director of the Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers. Mariham has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Anthropology and a MA in Gender and Women's Studies with a Specialization in Gender and Justice as well as an MS in Counseling. Prior to their role here at CSUF, they worked in the nonprofit sector for over 15 years doing cultural and identity work, anti violence work, and migration and asylum work. They have worked in higher Education for over 7 years and have been a Capacity Building and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Consultant for over 10 years. As a first generation Egyptian American who did not have access to intersectional spaces to promote identity and professional development, Mariham is deeply committed to supporting students to become equipped with the knowledge, skills and tools to navigate the complex world we live in today as civically engaged leaders.In their free time, Mariham loves to snuggle with her rescue English Bulldog Willow, eat delicious vegan food, and spend quality introvert time with their partner.

Professional headshot of Areli Castro


Courtney Kiyan
(she/her/hers)

Administrative Support Coordinator, Diversity Initiatives & Resource Centers

cokiyan@fullerton.edu

Courtney Kiyan has served as the Administrative Support Coordinator, supporting all DIRC initiatives & centers, since 2021. Courtney has been a Titan long before becoming a staff member, having graduated from CSUF with her BA in Sociology, becoming the fourth Titan Alumni in her family. She has been on campus as a staff member since 2015, having served various roles within the division of Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion, supporting campus DEI and Professional Development efforts. Coming from a multiracial background, she is passionate about supporting others in their identity & personal exploration, development & advocacy. In 2022, she was nominated by her DIRC team and awarded the NASPA Region IV Support Staff Award for her commitment to CSUF students. In her free time, she loves to bake, work on home projects with her family, or cheer on her favorite team, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Headshot of Hathiya Chea

 

Nat Betancourt Arellano, M.S. (they/them/theirs Mx.)

Senior Coordinator, Losquadro Keller LGBTQ Resource Center

natbetancourt@fullerton.edu

Nat Betancourt Arellano has served as the Senior Coordinator for the Losquadro Keller  LGBTQ Resource Center since June 2019. They earned their Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in History at California State University, Fullerton and their Master of Science in College Counseling and Student Development from Azusa Pacific University. As an alumni of CSUF, Nat enjoys being able to give back to the community that helped them to grow. They have worked in First-Year Experience, Career Services, Leadership Development, Residence Life, and now Diversity & Equity. Nat previously served as a member for the NASPA Region VI Advisory Board and in 2021 was recognized as the Staff of the Year for the Division of Student Affairs at Cal State Fullerton. As someone that identifies as bisexual and non-binary, they hope that their narrative and experiences can positively impact others and be of support to students navigating their queer identities. Aside from their passion in supporting students, Nat grew up in Southern California, enjoys rooting for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and is a film nerd at heart. 

chea-hathiya

 

Hathiya Chea   (she/her/hers)

Coordinator, Asian Pacific American Resource Center

hathiyachea@fullerton.edu

Hathiya Chea is the Coordinator of Asian Pacific American Resource Center (APARC). Before CSUF, she worked as the Program Coordinator at the Asian Pacific Student Programs at the University of California, Riverside. Hathiya holds a Master of Arts in College Student Development and Administration from Shepherd University in West Virginia, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Hathiya has presented at ACPA, NASPA, CACCCHE, and Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE). She is passionate and excited to work with First Generation, LGBTQIA+, Dreamers, APISAA, SWANA, and all the Students of Color on campus. In her free time, she takes her dog to dog-friendly beaches, hiking, and camping around California state parks.

sidney-elaina

Elaina Sidney M.A.     (they/them/theirs - she/her/hers)

Coordinator, African American Resource Center

elsidney@fullerton.edu

Elaina Sidney serves as the Coordinator of the African American Resource Center (AARC). They earned their Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies and Asian American Students at the University of California, Irvine and their Masters of Arts in American Studies at California State University, Fullerton. As a student leader and advocate throughout their college experience, Elaina seeks to help students define and achieve their ideas of personal, professional and academic success. Elaina previously served as the Retention Specialist for the College of Engineering and Computer Science at CSUF. They are excited to continue to provide and expand a sense of community for the black diaspora on campus. In their free time, Elaina enjoys anime, science fiction, especially Star Trek, horror movies and spending quality time with their cats Agnes and Fluffles. 

Rogelia

Rogelia Mata Villegas M.A.           (she/her/hers)

Coordinator, Women's Resource Center

rmata-villegas@fullerton.edu

Rogelia Mata-Villegas is the Coordinator for the Women’s Resource Center (WRC). She earned her Master of Arts in Women’s Studies from San Diego State University and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California Santa Barbara. During her time at SDSU, she lectured for an introductory Women’s Studies course. Prior to her role as the WRC Coordinator, Rogelia worked for the educational non-profit sector supporting students with college and career exploration and access. As a Latina from a first-generation student/professional, and working-class background, she is passionate about creating transformational and holistic programming that supports, prepares, and guides students in their navigation of higher education and after. Moreover, Rogelia is excited and dedicated to being a mentor, motivator, and advocate for the Titan community. In her free time, Rogelia enjoys spending time with her cat Benito, playing video games, and taking care of her plants.