Meet the Staff

Director

Jovin M. Fernandez

Jovin M. Fernandez

Multicultural Center, Director

Jovin.Fernandez@stockton.edu
609-652-4402
F-000

Ms. Fernandez joined Stockton University as the inaugural director of the Multicultural Center in November 2022 to cultivate counter-spaces to support the engagement, belonging, and development of African-American, Latinx, Asian, and Native American (ALANA) students.

Ms. Fernandez, a Trenton native, first-generation student, and EOF alumna, brings over a decade of experience in higher education spanning Career Services, Admissions, Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities, and College Access. She cares deeply about serving underrepresented and marginalized students to help them develop their confidence, leadership skills and persist through college. She strives to help students find their voice so they can advocate for change and justice on campus and in their communities. 

Ms. Fernandez is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from Stockton University and expects to graduate in May 2024. She also holds a master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Rider University and a bachelor's in sociology and criminal justice from Bloomfield College.

The Multicultural Center is supported by its director, Ms. Fernandez, along with a strong team of students known by the acronym "P.R.E.P." Team, or the Proud, Resilient, Educated Peers Team. The staff functions as champions for change across the Stockton University campus. They are invovled in leadership both inside the center, with programming like Real Talk Tuesdays and the Fred Flicks Series, but also engage with the community as a whole through the Cultural Heritage Awareness Month Planning Committees and represent the Multicultural Center campus-wide. Our staff is fortunate to have a director, along with a graduate coordinator, two interns, two social media specialists and our P.R.E.P. team.

Graduate Coordinator

Headshot of Mo Keane

Mo Keane

Multicultural Center, Graduate Coordinator

Mo Keane serves as the Graduate Coordinator for the Multicultural Center under Ms. Fernandez in order to support the visions and goals set for the center, embracing diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice.

Mo is a passionate and engaged advocate and activist for underserved and underrepresented populations at Stockton, particularly for queer students of color, as President of the Queer and Trans People of Color Society. They are also a research assistant to multiple research projects investigating social phenomena and procedural justice practices.

Mo is a proud Chinese, queer immigrant, which motivates the work they do both on- and off-campus.

Mo is currently a graduate student in the Dual Degree BA/MA program for Criminal Justice, with a concentration in Forensic Psychology, expecting to graduate in spring of 2024. They graduated in 2023 with their undergraduate in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Victimology and Victim Services from Stockton University.

Equity & Social Justice Intern

Headshot of Britney Marrugo

Britney Marrugo

Multicultural Center, P.R.E.P. Team

Britney Marrugo is the center's Equity & Social Justice Intern. She proudly facilitates the center's Fred Flicks Series, and does extensive engagement in programming and education surrounding equity and social justice.

Britney is proudly Colombian and embraces her roots through her advocacy and work at the center.

Britney is a senior in Communications Studies, and is seen around campus as a residential assistant. She looks forward to graduating in spring of 2024.

K-12 Partnership & Programming Intern

Headshot of Andrew Simoes

Andrew Simoes

Multicultural Center, P.R.E.P. Team

Andrew engages with the community through collaboration with K-12 educational institutions and also participates in the development and is excited to assist with developing the J4J high school mentorship program.

He can be seen around campus in his position as a Transition Activity Leader of New Students (TALON), and spends his time outside of the center as Vice President of the Newman Club, and the President of the D&D Club.

Andrew is proud to represent as an LGBTQ+, First Generation Italian and Portuguese student.

He is a junior in the History and Education programs, and looks forward to continuing to enrich his experiences at Stockton through the work done at the Multicultural Center.

Social Media Specialists

.Headshot of Courtney Combs

Courtney Combs

Multicultural Center, Social Media Specialist

Courtney is one half of our talented Social Media Specialist team. She is one of the creative minds behind our social media campaigns, but can also be seen on the university's TikTok page as well. 

You can often see her embracing her identity as an African-American woman through the Stockton chapter of the NAACP, along with Unified Black Students Society and the TALONS program. 

She is a sophomore Communications major, with a concentration in Journalism and Mass Media, with a minor in Writing. 

Headshot of Suleman SamiSuleman Sami

Multicultural Center, Social Media Specialist

Sami is one half of our incredible Social Media Specialist team. He can often be seen on our social media pages, connecting with the Stockton comunity and representing MC pride. 

He is involved in the Multicultural Center, but can also be seen supporting retention initiatives through his involvement in Sankofa. 

He is a proud Muslim and Middle Eastern man, and celebrates his pride through community and cultural engagement initiatives. 

Sami is a junior studying Computer Information Systems and looks forward to graduating next year. 

Peer Educators

Headshot of Arely Pina

Arely Pina

Multicultural Center, P.R.E.P. Team

Arely serves as just one of our amazing Proud, Resilient, Educated Peers. She is a Champion4Change, and advocates strongly for all identities under the ALANA acronym.

She is proudly Mexican and a first-generation student.

Arely is a senior in the Biology program, with a concentration in Pre-Professional Health, and looks forward to graduating in spring of 2024.

Headshot of Kayla Flowers

Kayla Flowers

Multicultural Center, P.R.E.P. Team 

Kayla is a member of the P.R.E.P. team, and can be seen engaging with students and staff alike around capmus. She engages with the center and communtity by supporting the Champions4Change missions and helps facilitate educational and experiential events on campus.

Outside the center, you can find Kayla on the e-boards of the Caribbean Student Association and the Public Health Club.

She is proudly African-American and Carribean, which she embraces through her extracurricular participation and passions.

She is a senior in the Health Sciences program, with a minor in Public Health. She looks forward to graduating in spring of 2024.

Headshot of My'Air

My'Air Henry

Multicultural Center, P.R.E.P. Team 

My'Air is another invaluable resource for the Multicultural Center's P.R.E.P. Team, and is often the friendly face greeting you at the center's front desk.

She is a proud African-American woman, and is seen representing her identity through her position as secretary of the Unified Black Students Society.

She is a sophomore in the Mathematics program, obtaining a minor in Africana Studies. She looks forward to continuing her education at Stockton and beyond.

Headshot of Saba Bhatti

Saba Bhatti

Multicultural Center, P.R.E.P. Team 

Saba is a friendly face and a fantastic member of the P.R.E.P. Team. She strives to embody the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Saba is proudly Muslim and Pakistani, as is seen through her involvement as president of the Pakistani Student Association and the Cultural and Social Justice Chair for SET. 

She is a junior in the health Science program and can be seen helping others whether at school or work.

Headshot of Taina Altagracia-Paris

Taina Alagracia-Paris

Multicultural Center, P.R.E.P. Team 

Taina is another smiling face seen around the Multicultural Center. She enjoys learning and advocating for the community through her role, and has unwavering commitment to championing for equality and inclusion at Stockton.

She is a proud Latina, and can often be found representing her Dominican and Puerto Rican pride.

Taina is a junior in the Literature program, with a concentration in Secondary Education, and a minor in Jewish Studies & Holocaust Studies.

Headshot of Va Lee

Shavie (Va) Lee

Multicultural Center, P.R.E.P. Team 

Shavie, more commonly known by Va, is a bright face in the Multicultural Center. He is often seen singing and laughing, or facilitating Friday Fun Nights such as Wild 'N Out and Jeopardy.

Va is also a proud member of the executive board for Stockton Horror Society. He is a proud African-American man.

As a sophomore in the Psychology program, Va is excited to continue learning and expanding the spaces in which minorities in higher education can succeed and thrive.