Our Team
Ulysses Tongaonevai
Director
801-957-4415 | ulysses.tongaonevai@slcc.edu | Taylorsville Redwood STC 236L
Pronouns:He/Him/His
Dr. Ulysses “Sione” Tonga’onevai was raised in westside of the Salt Lake Valley with childhood roots in Southern California. He is of Polynesian ancestry and is a first-generation American Tongan. He is an alumnus of Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) where he completed his Associates Degree and transferred to the University of Utah where he completed his undergraduate and graduate studies. His undergraduate degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology and a Minor in Consumer and Community Studies. His graduate work let him to earn a Master’s of Education then a Doctor of Philosophy in Education, Culture & Society. His graduate studies focused on race, ethnicity, masculinity and antiracism practices in college athletics. Dr. Tonga’onevai continues to stay active with academic scholarship and practices pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion work in higher education. He serves the SLCC community hand-in-hand with the rest of the ODMA staff to advocate, empower, affirm, embrace, and most importantly to elevate student success.
Alisi Mateitalo Hoa'mofaleono Niupalau
Assistant Director
801-957-4559 | alisi.niupalau@slcc.edu | Taylorsville Redwood STC 236E
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Alisi Mateitalo Hoa’mofaleono Niupalau is a first-generation, Tongan American from San Mateo, California. She attended the College of San Mateo before transferring to the University of Utah, where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Promotion and Education then a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Policy with an emphasis in student affairs. Alisi joined Salt Lake Community College in 2018 working with the TRIO Programs before accepting a position with the Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Office. She looks forward to working alongside the ODMA team to offer support, guidance, and to connect students with resources toward their academic and career aspirations at our institution.
Resources
Jamie Koger
Administrative Assistant
801-957-4543 | jamie.koger@slcc.edu | Taylorsville Redwood STC 236C
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers/Ella
Jamie Koger is a Filipino American, born in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Her education, along with experiences traveling internationally including Mexico, Puerto Rico and Europe, have informed her of cultures, practices and ways of knowing. Jamie currently is the Administrative Assistant, serving as the initial point of contact and programmatic support for ODMA. She brings a student-centric attitude, commitment to promoting and supporting the environment of diversity and inclusion, and team-oriented mindset to SLCC.
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 Salt Lake Community College. They are a native of Utah with Polynesian roots. They enjoy writing, listening to music, cooking, eating good food, and dancing. "Be You, Be Comfortable and Be Beautiful" holds precedent to core values that has helped shaped Leka to be the person that they are today. They are passionate about universal education, spirituality, social justice, equality and equity, cultural identity, community involvement, and 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
Brenda Santoyo
Dream Center Manager
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 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
Peter Moosman
Gender & Sexuality Student Resource Center Manager
801-957-3143 | peter.moosman@slcc.edu | South City SCM 1-140
Pronouns: He/Him/His, They/Them/Their
As a first-generation college graduate native to Utah, Peter has been with SLCC for almost ten years. Peter graduated from SLCC in 2011 with degrees in Humanities and Political Science then transferred and graduated at Weber State University in 2014 with a degree in Civic Advocacy. After coming out as gay in 2015, their whole life has shifted and is now excited to serve SLCC as the inaugural Gender & Sexuality Student Resource Center coordinator. Peter is enthusiastic about blending their passions for education, advocacy, and human rights into their career.
Resources
Vacant
Student Success Coordinator
American Indian/Native American Students
Taylorsville Redwood STC 236C
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
Kamal Bewar is a first-generation college graduate and completed a doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership from Argosy University. He was born in Iraqi Kurdistan and relocated to Utah as a refugee. He is the student success coordinator for refugee and multi-racial, student populations to ensure the success of their educational journey. Bewar also advises two student clubs, Global Connection and Kurdish club. Bewar speaks Kurdish, Arabic, and a little Farsi. He is happy to help students with any needs or concerns at SLCC.
Resources
- Refugee Education And Training Center
- One Refugee Scholarship
- Global Connections Student Leadership Club
- Kurdish Student Leadership Club
Sendys Estevez
Student Success Coordinator
Latinx students
801-957-3713 | sendys.estevez@slcc.edu | Taylorsville Redwood STC 236J
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Sendys Estevez was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in NYC and Philadelphia, PA. She has lived in the state of Utah for the past 8 years. Sendys has a bachelor’s degree in business administration (Marketing) and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Community Leadership with an emphasis on education at Westminster College. She is the Success Coordinator for Latinx students and the advisor for the Somos Más program. Sendys is extremely passionate about empowering Students of Color to own their educational journey and achieve their life goals.
Resources
Bernice Ova
Student Success Coordinator
Pacific Islander and Asian and Asian American students
801-957-4814 | bova@slcc.edu | Taylorsville Redwood STC 236D
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Talofa Lava! Bernice Agnes Mauinatu-Ova is a first-generation, Samoan American from Southern California. She attended the University of Utah and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family, Community and Human Development with a minor in Psychology. Bernice also received her undergraduate certificate in Pacific Island Studies and gained contemporary knowledge about the Indigenous Pacific and global Pacific Islander diaspora. Bernice is the coordinator for Pacific Islander and Asian and Asian American students and helps advise the SLCC Pacific Unity Association (PUA) and Asian Student Association (ASA) clubs. She looks forward to being a resource for students as they navigate their college experience and complete heir goals toward graduation.
Medalid Del Caprio
Womens Initiatives & Programming
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Meda is a Peruvian native who has been living in Utah since 2009. She has an MPH from Tulane University, as well as a BS degree in Health Promotion and a BS in International Studies from the University of Utah. Meda has done international work in Haiti, Cambodia, and Peru. Having also lived in Europe, she brings a worldwide perspective to her work. Coming from a country where reproductive justice and women’s rights are scarce, she is committed to the reproductive justice fight and hopes to one day educate folks in Peru about these topics. Meda is excited to work at the Gender and Sexuality Student Resource Center and hopes her story resonates with the lives of many. Meda is a new mom, and she loves spending time with her 10 month-old son, her husband, parents and 2 cats.