Our Team
Maria Martinez
Director
801-957-4415 | maria.martinez@slcc.edu | Taylorsville Redwood STC 236L
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Maria Martinez serves as the director of the Office of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs (ODMA). Martinez is native of Salt Lake City with roots in Chihuahua, Mexico. She is an alumna of the University of Utah where she completed her undergraduate work in Mass Communication and International Studies and her graduate work in Educational Leadership and Policy.
Martinez has spent her career advocating for historically underrepresented communities with roles in both the K12 and higher education arenas. She currently leads ODMA with her passion for college access and success for marginalized students. She is a firm believer that representation matters and continually works to create programming to validates the multiple identities of students on campus.
Penina Fitiao
Administrative Assistant
801-957-4954 | penina.fitiao@slcc.edu | Taylorsville Redwood STC 236
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Kia Ora and Talofa Lava! Penina Fitiao is the Administrative Assistant to the director of the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. She is a first-generation college graduate with a degree in International Studies, Emphasis in Latin American Studies from the University of Utah. Penina was born in American Samoa, raised in NZ and immigrated to the States at 15 years old. She finds joy in giving back to her communities through volunteer work and is passionate about amplifying marginalized voices. Her hobbies include traveling, running and is a huge foodie. Penina is working towards creating a vegan YouTube channel centering Pasifika cuisine providing alternatives for island dishes (and more), addressing health issues Pasifika communities face and speaking on her experiences as a queer womyn of color.
Tevita Ūánga (Leka) Heimuli
Secretary
801-957-3143 | leka.heimuli@slcc.edu | South City SCM 1-140
Pronouns: He/She/They
Allàh-u-Abhà! Mālō e lelei! Fakaalofa lahi atu! Leka is a first-generation college graduate alumnus of Kearns High School and SLCC. They are a native of Utah with Tongan|Polynesian roots. They enjoy writing, listening to music, cooking, eating "GOOD FOOD" and dancing. Leka's tagline is "Be you, be comfortable and Be Beautiful" holds precedent to core values that has helped shaped them to be the person that they are today. They are a strong advocate and are passionate about universal education, spirituality, social justice, equality and equity, cultural identity, community involvement, trans and queer activism. They are continuing their education and pursuing a degree in social work and gender studies.
Multicultural Success Coordinators
The Multicultural Student Success Coordinators, advocate for all students towards continued success and retention. We motivate, encourage students and teach them responsibility to get them involved in their education. We celebrate their success and educate them to set their own realistic academic performance goals. We discuss topics on difficult dialogues and provide a safe space and atmosphere. Many of the coordinators speak other languages and will help to connect people to any resources that are available to a wide range and variety of students.
Glory Johnson-Stanton
Manager Multicultural Initiatives
801-957-4380 | glory.johnson-stanton@slcc.edu | Taylorsville Redwood STC 236F
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hello, my name is Glory. I’m a Multicultural Student Success Manager and Coordinator for African American/African student populations. I’m here to assist students with informed choices and successfully assist them to attain their educational goals holistically. I’m also the Advisor of the SLCC Black Student Union. I encourage you to take some time out to visit the Office of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus. We are dedicated to helping you formulate your plans for success. We also provide mentoring programs, internships, resources, and other opportunities. I look forward to working with you soon!
Resources
Orville Cayaditto
Student Success Coordinator
American Indian / Native American Students
801-957-4462 | orville.cayaditto@slcc.edu | Taylorsville Redwood STC 236C
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Orville Cayaditto is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and a first-generation college graduate. He is a Multicultural Student Success Coordinator in the Office of Diversity & Multicultural Student Affairs with a designated focus on Native American and American Indian students. He is dedicated to helping underrepresented students navigate higher education and succeed in their educational endeavors. Orville was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science and Ethnic Studies. His hobbies include photography, traveling, and trading card games.
Resources
Dr. Kamal Bewar
Student Success Coordinator
Refugee / Immigrant students
801-957-4032 | kamal.bewar@slcc.edu | Taylorsville Redwood STC 236G
Pronouns: He/His/Him
My name is Dr. Kamal, and I speak Kurdish, Arabic, and some Farsi. I have an Ed.D in Higher Educational Leadership. I am a Student Success Coordinator working with refugee and immigrant students to ensure success on their educational journey. I'd be happy to help you with any of your academic needs or concerns.
Resources
- Global connections
Alisi Mateitalo Hoamofaleono Niupalau
Student Success Coordinator
Pacific Islander / Asian Students
801-957-4559 | alisi.niupalau@slcc.edu | Taylorsville Redwood STC 236H
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
I'm a first-generation college student, born and raised in San Mateo, California. I attended the College of San Mateo before transferring to the University of Utah, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion and Education. I am currently a student at the University of Utah in the Educational Leadership & Policy Master’s Program, with an emphasis in Student Affairs. I'm also the Student Success Coordinator for Pacific Islanders and Asian/Asian American students and look forward to offering guidance, support, and to connect students with resources to help you all be successful as you complete your degree.
Resources
Sendys Estevez
Student Success Coordinator
Latinx students
801-957-3713 | sendys.estevez@slcc.edu | Taylorsville Redwood STC 236J
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
I was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in NYC and Philadelphia, PA. I've lived in the state of Utah for the last 8 years. I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration (Marketing) and I'm currently pursuing a masters in Community Leadership with an emphasis on Education at Westminster College. I am the Success Coordinator for Latinx students at SLCC and I'm super passionate about empowering students of color to own their educational journey and achieve their life goals. I am the advisor for Somos Mas Program.
Resources
- Latinx Student Union
- LUCHA
- Somos Mas
- Other Resources
Peter Moosman
Gender Sexuality Student Resource Center Coordinator
801-957-3143 | peter.moosman@slcc.edu | South City SCM 1-140
Pronouns: He/Him/His, They/Them/Their, Peter
As a first-generation college graduate native to Utah, I have been with SLCC for almost ten years. I graduated from SLCC in 2011 with degrees in Humanities and Political Science, and at Weber State University in 2014 with a degree in Civic Advocacy. After coming out as gay in 2015, my whole life has shifted and I'm now excited to serve SLCC as the inaugural Gender & Sexuality Student Resource Center coordinator, where I can blend my passions for education, advocacy, and human rights into my career.
Resources
Brenda Santoyo
Dream Center Coordinator
801-957-5124 | brenda.santoyo@slcc.edu
Pronouns: Ella/She/Hers
Brenda Santoyo is an SLCC alumnus and the College has been a home away from home for her for several years now. She recently completed her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy with an emphasis in Student Affairs at the University of Utah. As a daughter of Mexican undocumented immigrants, she has always strived to serve the individual needs of her beloved community. Brenda’s drive and passion for the field stem from her background in serving undocumented students initially enrolled in the Bridge to Success and Bruin Scholars programs through the office for Orientation & Student Success. In her time at the College, she has played a role in launching the Bruin Dreams scholarship program, maintaining the Undocumented Student Ally Training, upholding the charge of the Undocumented Student Resource Committee, and managing SLCC’s Dream Center, the second in the state of Utah, now as the inaugural coordinator.
Resources