Representation and visibility are integral steps in the pursuit of equity. There are a broad range of stories at Oxy, filled with rich lived experiences that illuminate diversity among our community. The Intercultural Community Center would like to share some of these stories with you here.
Isaiah Thomas (he, him, his)
Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Education & Housing Services and Student Conduct
What brought you to your current work? What do you love most about it?
I love working closely with students to shape their college experience to be one of the best experiences of their lives. I am particularly passionate about supporting students of color and helping them thrive at institutions where they may not see many people that look like them.
What identity (visible or invisible) or identities are most important to you? How have they shaped your professional journey?
I identify as African American, First-Gen, Low-Income, and Bisexual. I find that my Black identity is most salient to me, and something I think about often. I love working in college environments because I find that these spaces are diverse and intellectually curious as compared to non-educational work environments.
How can students reach you, if they'd like to connect?
Students can always email me at ithomas@oxy.edu.
Marcus Rodriguez (he, him, his)
Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Life, Involvement & Community Engagement
What brought you to your current work? What do you love most about it?
Many years of working closely with community organizers and local artists inspired a career that focuses on student empowerment, civic participation, and creating spaces for cross-sector leadership development and transformative learning.
Student Affairs has allowed me to evolve my thinking, critically assess competencies, and stay current with student success markers. Daily and meaningful interactions with emerging and seasoned student leaders continue to encourage and inspire the work.
What identity (visible or invisible) or identities are most important to you? How have they shaped your professional journey?
Identifying as Xicanx has allowed me to navigate Los Angeles and the Student Affairs profession with a lens that centers community/identity building, equity and social justice.
How can students reach you, if they'd like to connect?
Please feel free to email mrodriguez6@oxy.edu.
Vivian Garay-Santiago (she, her, hers)
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Student Success Adviser
What brought you to your current work? What do you love most about it?
I found my career in higher education because I followed what I loved and what brought me joy. I found that being on a college campus was exciting and intellectually stimulating and working with college students was meaningful and made me happy.
What identity (visible or invisible) or identities are most important to you? How have they shaped your professional journey?
The identities that are most important to me are that of Latina, daughter of immigrants, and Woman. All of these identities have allowed me to view the world from vantage points that differ from dominant culture and these insights have informed my values, my work with students, and have enabled me to tap into the compassion I try to bring to every interaction I have with students.
How can students reach you, if they'd like to connect?
These days, the best way to reach me is by email: deanofstudents@oxy.edu
Susan Young (she, her, hers)
Director of the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life
What brought you to your current work? What do you love most about it?
I started working at Occidental while I was in a PhD in Practical Theology program at the Claremont School of Theology, with a focus in religious education. I was attracted to the position because I wanted to work with young adults.
I enjoy talking about the intersection of religious or spiritual belief and practice and social justice work. I also enjoy fostering student vocational discernment as well as helping students explore how their values, beliefs and commitments can inform their choice of career and commitment to social activism, justice and equity.
What identity (visible or invisible) or identities are most important to you? How have they shaped your professional journey?
My religious identity and my identity as a cisgender woman. My Christian faith and relationship with God guides all my important decisions. Prayer, discernment in community with others and commitment to peace, justice and equity have played an important role in all my career decisions. When I began the journey to enter ministry, I encountered significant challenges because of my gender and my feminist perspective of what it means to be a pastor.
While at Occidental, I think there have been times when students who are not religious or who have been hurt by religious communities have felt somewhat hesitant to connect with me until they get to know me better. I completely understand this and try to keep that in the back of my mind whenever I interact with students on an individual or communal level.
How can students reach you, if they'd like to connect?