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Intercultural Resource Center
Feel empowered and respected by speaking up and being who you are. The Intercultural Resource Center (IRC) is the space where you can explore your multiple identities within the Rutgers University-Newark community. The IRC houses the LGBTQ Student Services and Undocumented Student Services areas, which serve the RU-N community through dialogues across difference, cultural/identity-based group advisement, social justice initiatives, student engagement, activism and community support.
"As the Intercultural Resource Center, our responsibility is to provide physical or virtual “brave spaces” to explore identity and the promotion of students' personal, professional, and social development at Rutgers University–Newark”
Gary Santos Mendoza (He, Him, His, él) | Director - Intercultural Resource Center
Gary Santos Mendoza, M.S.Ed., serves as Director of the Intercultural Resource Center and Adjunct Faculty in the Honors Living-Learning Community at Rutgers University-Newark. He oversees direction of the center, in addition to two service areas: LGBTQ Student Services and Undocumented Student Services.
Gary received his Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology/Graphic Design from St. John's University and his Master’s of Science in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University. He credits St. John’s University-Manhattan Campus, Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus, Illinois Institute of Technology, Florida Atlantic University-Broward Campus and Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for the development of his over ten years in the field of Higher Education. Gary is a doctoral candidate in the Ph.D- Educational Leadership program from the Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology at Florida Atlantic University.
Gary's written works include "Queer Latinx…Yep we're here." & “Coping with Mental Health Concerns amid COVID-19”, in DIVERSE: Issues in Higher Education, co-editor for his upcoming book Heart Work: The Handbook on the Surviving and Thriving of Cultural/Identity Centers in Higher Education, and has co-written multiple chapters about topics in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in higher education. He serves as Co-Chair for the Latinx Network for ACPA-College Student Educators International.
Gary hails from Harlem, New York and is a product of the New York City Public School System.
Priyanka is a recent graduate of Rutgers University - New Brunswick with a master's degree in College Student Affairs. Prior to moving to New Jersey, she received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in Culture and Gender Diversity from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. She began her journey in student affairs during her undergraduate years, involved in the areas of Residence Life, Student Government, student organizations, the Multicultural and Pride centers, and the campus programming board. Over the years, Priyanka has found her passion working in cultural centers with diverse groups of students. She worked at one of the four cultural centers at Rutgers - New Brunswick during her master's and is excited to now be working at the IRC at Rutgers - Newark! She loves being on the East Coast now, and in her free time, she loves eating various ethnic cuisines, traveling as much as possible, exploring New York City, singing karaoke, and cuddling with her cat, of course. Come visit her office and let her know your favorite spot to eat around campus!
Cassandra is currently getting her master’s degree in College Student Affairs from Rutgers University-New Brunswick. She is passionate about helping students access higher education and about rights for people of all different citizenship statuses. Coming from a background as a Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP), she works to open career advising services to all student populations. A fun fact about me is that I played rugby for four years while in college and we went to Nationals during my senior year.
Intercultural Resource Center (IRC) Services
LGBTQ Student Services, strives to create an inclusive and safe, but brave campus for students, faculty, and staff who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Pansexual, Intersex, Two-Spirit and additional gender and sexual identities. Please click here to access.
Undocumented Student Services, strives to empower undocumented students, mix-status families, and allies to navigate higher education. Please click here to access.
IRC Programs
The Community of Care Spaces serve as places of discussion to examine current events and topics affecting the RU-N community. Past topics include identity-based discussions, health care/COVID-19 in the City of Newark, and identity-based support.
DEI of Dialogue is a space created during the month of October where day-long dialogues are held in relation to specific issues of current events led by student and cultural/identity-based student organization leaders.
Racial Healing Circles serve as discussion spaces explored through narratives and lived experiences of participants in relation to in
current events and topics affecting in the RU-N community and the City of Newark for students, faculty, and staff. The spaces are held in collaboration with the Center for Truth and Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT).
The Community Conversation Spaces serve as places of discussion to examine current events and topics affecting the RU-N community. Past topics include identity-based discussions
Affinity celebrations are student-led, staff supported events that serve as a space to celebrate the accomplishments of graduates while centering their shared cultural traditions and community values. These include:
Rainbow Graduation – Honoring LGBTQ Graduates
Undocu Graduation – Honoring Undocumented and DACAmented Graduates
Rites of Passage – Honoring Black, Latinx and Connected Graduates
Cultural/Identity Based Student Organizations
Get connected with the cultural and special interest student organizations advised by the IRC.
Engage with the IRC to activate social justice support resources in and out of the RU-N community, including reporting of Bias incidents in the RU-N community.
BERT provides support resources to individuals who have experienced a bias incident and facilitates programs, events, and workshops to aid in the prevention and elimination of bias incidents.
Please click here to access the Bias Education Response Team
Scholarships are vital to alleviate the cost of a college education. Opportunities like the “RU-N to the top” scholarship program provide RU-N students a chance to receive funds.
Please click here to access the RU-N Enrollment Management Scholarship page for more information.
Trainings
IRC Training provide competency development for the RU-N community with topics in relation to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Some trainings include: Bias, Microaggressions, and Safe Zone (LGBTQ 101). To sign up, please contact diversity@newark.rutgers.edu