Multicultural Student Services

Table with sign saying You Belong Here

Welcome students and community!

The Multicultural Student Services (MSS) team is deeply committed to supporting the needs of the many UAA student communities. MSS includes a dedicated space, the Multicultural Center (MCC), and a set of programs that foster culturally diverse community engagement. MSS celebrates the cultural assets of students with minoritized identities and works to transform societal norms to build a campus community where all students can thrive as their full authentic selves.

We look forward to getting to know you and co-creating a more equitable UAA community together. We hope you will join us in sharing your traditions, successes, passions and dreams. We also hope you join us when you have something to work through or need a listening ear. Stop by for a warm cup of coffee, a place to find connection, or just to take a look.

In community,
The MSS team

 

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Vision

To build a university community where all students, especially those with marginalized identities, thrive.

Mission

MSS at UAA is committed to uplifting students with marginalized identities through fostering a sense of community and belonging, co-creating meaningful engagement for holistic student development, and transforming the cultural roots of systemic inequities.

MSS specifically works to uplift students who identify as Black, African American, Indigenous, Native American, Hispanic, Latine/x/a/o, Asian, Pacific Islander, multiracial, or mixed heritage; LGBTQIA2S+ students; students who practice minoritized religions and international students.

 

Connect with MSS

The Multicultural Student Services team is deeply committed to supporting the needs of the many UAA student communities. MSS includes a dedicated space and programs that foster culturally diverse community engagement. MSS celebrates the cultural assets of students with marginalized identities and works to transform societal norms to build a campus community where all students can thrive as their full authentic selves.

Our Space

We look forward to getting to know you and co-creating a more equitable UAA community together. We hope you will join us in sharing your traditions, successes, passions and dreams. We also hope you join us when you have something to work through or need a listening ear. Stop by for a warm cup of coffee, a place to find connection, or just to take a look.

Come see us in Rasmuson Hall, 1st floor!

Rainbow Initiatives

The Rainbow Initiative is UAA’s dedication of time, space and energy to our Queer/Trans/LGBTQIA2S+ community. We provide a space, events and programming which support the belonging, engagement and holistic wellbeing of our community members. We uplift and advocate for our queer/trans community at UAA so we can live our most authentic, successful and full lives here. 

For more information, contact Jessi Saiki (jmsaiki@alaska.edu).

Students of Excellence

Students of Excellence is a scholarship program for students in their junior year at UAA. This scholarship celebrates the academic and leadership excellence of students served by MSS. Each spring, juniors are invited to apply. 

For more information, reach out to Sara Caldwell-Kan (smcaldwellkan@alaska.edu).

JEDI Leadership

The JEDI Leader student position engages in community building, education, and program support for Multicultural Student Services. JEDI stands for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Students in this program are student staff serving as peer mentors to first-year students who are navigating higher education and seeking a sense of belonging on campus. JEDI Leaders work to support a range of resources, orientation and welcome events, affinity program development, belonging and inclusion initiatives, and JEDI education for students with marginalized identities, including but not limited to Black/African American, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, International, Native American, and LGBTQIA2S+.

For information, reach out to Quacyya Cuaresma (qmcuaresma@alaska.edu).

 

 

 

Our Team

Photo of
Sara Caldwell-Kan (she/they)

Director, Multicultural Student Services
(907) 786-4080
smcaldwellkan@alaska.edu

Sara Caldwell-Kan (she/they) is an activist, scholar, dreamer and long time higher education professional. She is a PhD Candidate in Education with a background in public health, diversity & inclusion, and equity. Sara’s work is centered on uplifting students and transforming higher education to be an institution where all students can be their full selves all the time. She believes that wellness is wholeness and imagines a future where we can embrace our full selves, including our ancestral strength, to build a collective community of love.
  • Favorite thing about MSS: MSS nurtures our need to connect and find community and inspires us to embrace all dimensions of ourselves.
  • Favorite Activities: I love to be outside as much as possible. I find great enjoyment in learning new things, and challenging people’s notions of what it means to be outdoorsy. I also love cyclocross and racing around on my bike, though I am not a particularly great racer.
  • Rejuvenating Practice: TBH, I love to read romance novels. There are so many beautiful stories of love in all forms, and I love that I can trust that a book will end positively.
Photo of
Jessi Saiki (they/them)

Engagement and Belonging Coordinator
(907) 786-6464
jmsaiki@alaska.edu

Jessi Saiki (they/them) is an artist, advocate and UAA Alumni with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in handbuilt ceramic sculpture. They wrote their thesis on neurodivergence and art therapy. Jessi loves to do art, play video games and spend time with animals. They also love to be active in the community attending and supporting the organization of rallys, protests and mutual aid efforts.

As an Engagement and Belonging coordinator Jessi supports the belonging of BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, neurodivergent identities and all the lovely intersections our identities can have. Jessi lovingly focuses on our Rainbow Initiatives, which supports and celebrates our LGBTQIA2S+ community through programs, events and awareness initiatives.

  • Favorite thing about MSS: At MSS we have freedom to be fully ourselves and support to pursue social justice and envision a better future.
  • Favorite animals: my favorite animals are cats, axolotls and japanese dwarf flying squirrels! 
  • Rejuvenating Practice: Journaling, spending time with my emotional support animals, going for a walk!
Photo of
Quacyya Cuaresma (she/her)

Engagement and Belonging Coordinator
(907) 786-4077
qmcuaresma@alaska.edu

Quacyya Cuaresma (she/her) is a Student Engagement and Belonging Coordinator at MSS! She is a lifelong Alaskan born and raised on Dena’ina lands. She earned her BS Health Sciences degree at UAA and has been involved with Multicultural Student Services (formerly Multicultural Center) since 2017. She is now pursuing a Master of Public Health at UAA! Her background is in health education, particularly domestic violence and sexual assault prevention. She is an advocate for community wellness, equity, and inclusion. Quacyya’s focus at MSS includes the JEDI Leadership Program, belonging initiatives and programming for students of color, and supporting programs for the range of marginalized and intersecting identities represented at UAA.

  • Favorite thing about MSS: I appreciate that MSS provides a safe, affirming space and programming for students of marginalized and intersecting identities. We want students to feel they are seen, heard, and valued!
  • Favorite animals and activities: I enjoy outdoor activities such as walking with my pup, hiking, camping, and biking. I love gatherings with my loved ones and tasty food!
  • Rejuvenating Practice: Daily movement, especially if it is outdoors where I can enjoy fresh air and the beauty of the land.