Meet the Staff
Associate Director of Student Life: Cultural Engagement & Inclusion
sarahgarcia@callutheran.edu
805-493-3483
With over 5 years of experience leading diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within higher education institutions, she supports the advancement of Cal Lutheran's institutional DEIJ efforts by serving on the President's Equity Council, Student Retention Working Group, Wellness Distinction Committee, and the Chief Diversity Officer's (CDO) Advisory Council while also leading several initiatives within the University Strategic Plan and University DEIJ strategic plan. In her short time at Cal Lutheran, Sarah has also been tapped to help launch the Incident Reporting system, co-chair one of three working groups for the University Strategic Planning process, serve on the inaugural Incident Response Team and the DEIJ Core Team, which led CLU's institutional DEI efforts and initiatives previous to the creation of the President's Equity Council.
Passion Areas
Leading and supporting systems change efforts, social justice education and advocacy, leadership development, civic engagement, and equity in student success
Education
M.S. College Student Services Administration, Oregon State University
B.A. Communication and Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
A.A. Communication Science and Liberal Arts: Science & Mathematics, Santa Barbara City College
Coordinator for Cultural Engagement and Inclusion
rbennett@callutheran.edu
805-493-3489
Rachel is an alum of Cal Lutheran’s counseling program. During her time at the university, she has been involved in many areas within Student Life and encourages students to get involved as well. Rachel has worked for Cal Lutheran as a Diversity Peer Educator Graduate Assistant, NODA Intern, and now Coordinator focusing on enhancing student belonging through Race & Ethnicity and Gender & Sexuality programming.
Passion Areas
Women in STEM, bridging the education/achievement gap, understanding historical inequities
in education
Education
B.S., Biology, University of California, San Diego
M.S., Counseling and College Student Personnel
Coordinator for Cultural Engagement and Inclusion
jcleon@callutheran.edu
(805) 493-3277
As a recent alum from Cal Lutheran, Jonathan joins the CCEI team with excitement and
enthusiasm to continue his journey here at CLU. As a student he has been very involved
in many areas within Student Life. In fact, Jonathan served as Peer Advisor for two
years and Peer Advisor Lead, before becoming Lead Programming Intern for the CCEI
his final semester as an undergraduate student. He hopes to extend his skills that
he developed as a student intern as he embarks on this new role as Coordinator where
he will focus on developing a sense of belonging for our diverse community.
Passion Areas:
First generation college students, LGBTQIA+ justice work, Allyship and inclusion of
historically marginalized communities
Education:
B.A. Sociology, California Lutheran University
B.A. Spanish, California Lutheran University
Lead Programming Intern
Ashlyn is a second year majoring in Psychology with a minor in Legal Studies. She is very excited to be working in the CCEI for another year. She is so grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow as well as teach and lead. Ashlyn is committed to listening to CLU students by providing a safe space for each person the campus serves.
From a young age she has been passionate about providing safe welcoming spaces for all people. This passion stems from her and her family's personal involvement with the foster care system and her experiences with the various injustices and disparities that are present in the system. Post-graduation she hopes to apply her psychological knowledge to change policy within the foster care system.
She is constantly learning about how she can uplift individuals within the LGBTQ+ community, and educate about allyship in both LGBTQ+ as well as BIPOC Communities. For fun, Ashlyn enjoys listening to music, reading, hanging out with her roommates, calling her family (she is one of 8 kids!), and attending concerts.
Programming Intern
Programming Intern
Programming Intern
Reece is currently a freshman pursuing a major in Film and TV Production with a minor in Multimedia. Since entering college, she has continued her love for getting involved and helping others by joining a number of organizations here at CLU. Continuing with her 8th year of student government, Reece is a freshman representative on the ASCLUG’s Programs Board, and has held numerous leadership positions, learning when to take the lead or step back and listen. She has also taken the role of Film Club treasurer to learn more about finances and help others on campus who share her love of film producing movies.
Reece is so excited to be a part of the CCEI team as, from a young age, has always
been looking for ways to get involved with her community and create safe spaces to
better support others. Through planning events, engaging with students, and learning
more about social justice each day, she hopes to better highlight different cultures
here on campus and beyond.
When she’s not at an event or making social media posts, you can find Reece spending
too much money on concert tickets, shooting film photography, and thrifting with her
friends!