Meet the Staff

Yvania Garcia-Pusateri

Executive Director, Multicultural Programs

Pronouns: she/her/hers/herself/Mrs.

YvaniaGarciaPusateri@missouristate.edu

Yvania Garcia-Pusateri serves as the Executive Director of Multicultural Programs in the Multicultural Services Unit where she oversees the Multicultural Resource Center, Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Resource Annex and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ Resource Center, staff and all programming and initiatives. Yvania holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Journalism and Master of Science in College Counseling and Student Development from Azusa Pacific University. She is a PhD candidate in the Educational Leadership doctoral program with an emphasis in Leadership, Culture and Curriculum at Miami University of Ohio. Yvania also assists with the management of the Inclusive Excellence Leadership Scholarship and is housed in the Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Resource Center Annex in the lower level of Freddy House.

Contact Yvania about the following programs:

• Latinx Heritage Month
• Native Heritage Month
• Black History Month
• Multicultural Graduation Reception
• STEP and Youth Empowerment Conferences
• Inclusive Excellence Leadership Scholarship Program

Matt Banks

Coordinator, Multicultural Programs and LGBT Student Services

Pronouns: they/them/theirs/theirself/Mx.

mbanks@missouristate.edu

Matt Banks serves as the Coordinator of Multicultural Programs and LGBT Student Services at Missouri State University. In this role, Matt provides direct support services, including advising, programming, and resource referral, for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, asexual/aromantic, or other gender and sexual minorities (LGBTQ+). They also create unique programs and trainings to help students, faculty, and staff understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ identified individuals in order to create a sustained commitment to gender and sexual equity. Matt holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Dramatic Arts from Rice University. Matt is housed in the Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Resource Center Annex in the lower level of Freddy House.

Contact Matt about the following programs:

• LGBTQ+ Pride Month
• Women's HERstory Month
• Asian Heritage Month
• Diversity Education (including Safe Zone)
• LGBTQ+ Students Organizations (including Spectrum, Advocates, and Melaqueers)
• LGBTQ+ Resource Requests and Referrals

April Babington

Administrative Assistant, Multicultural Programs

Pronouns: she/her/hers/herself/Ms.

ab711@missouristate.edu

April Babington serves as the Administrative Assistant in Multicultural Programs. A long time staff member at Missouri State, April brings her enthusiasm and passion for diversity and education to Multicultural Programs. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and has done graduate work in Education Counseling. April is housed in the Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Resource Center Annex in the lower level of Freddy House.

Christina Gardner

Graduate Assistant, Multicultural Services

Pronouns: she/her/hers/herself/Miss

Christina718@live.missouristate.edu

Christina Gardner is a first-year graduate student and serves as one of the Graduate Assistants for Multicultural Services and assists with programming and initiatives for the department. She is a graduate of Missouri State University where she earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism in May 2017. She is currently working on her Master degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Missouri State University. Christina is housed in the Multicultural Resource Center in the Plaster Student Union.

Contact Christina about the following programs:

• Adulting with the MRC
• Women's HERstory Month

Nia Morgan

Graduate Assistant, Multicultural Programs

Pronouns: she/her/hers/herself/Miss

Nia12@live.missouristate.edu

Nia Morgan is a second-year graduate student and serves as the Graduate Assistant for Multicultural Programs and assists with programming and initiatives for the department. She is a graduate of Maryville University where she earned a degree in Psychology in May 2016. She is currently working on her Master degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Missouri State University. Nia is housed in the Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Resource Center Annex in the lower level of Freddy House.

Contact Nia about the following programs:

• Black History Month
• Lunch & Learn/Dine & Discuss
• MRC Annex Space Reservations