Our Team

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Director

Myriam Kadeba grew up in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. She received her doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Akron, Ohio, and has been working at VCU since 2016. Dr. Kadeba’s areas of interest include but are not limited to multiculturalism, advocacy and social justice, international affairs, community building, and mental health. Ultimately, she values helping to empower individuals and communities that hold identities that have been systemically and historically marginalized while promoting wellness, agency, community healing, and thriving.

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Associate Director

Joshua Lockhart is the Associate Director for the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) at Virginia Commonwealth University. In this role, he provides leadership for programming and initiatives that foster student belonging, cultural awareness, and community engagement. He supervises professional and student staff, manages departmental operations, and advances the office’s mission to affirm, support, and empower students from all backgrounds. With more than ten years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, he is committed to creating environments where students feel seen, supported, and equipped to succeed. He is also pursuing his Doctor of Education in Leadership at VCU, where his scholarship focuses on student engagement and belonging.

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Assistant Director

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Assistant Director

Beck Oh is a student advocate from Northern Virginia. In 2018, she completed her undergraduate program at New York University, earning degrees in Journalism & Social and Cultural Analysis. They spent their time in New York building community and resources for student journalists of color. After graduating, Beck went on to work for an evening news broadcast show.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Beck began volunteering as a youth crisis counselor. The experience inspired her to apply to and attend Virginia Commonwealth University’s Master’s program for social work. They are passionate about community organizing, empowering students, and LGBTQ+ mental health.

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Administrative Coordinator

Dave was born and raised in Takoma Park, Maryland, before moving to Richmond, Virginia, in 1998. He started working at VCU in 2005 in Procurement Services and joined the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs in 2016. He serves as the Administrative Coordinator for the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. In this position, he ensures the office’s daily operations run smoothly, supports initiatives that promote an inclusive campus community for everyone, and supervises student workers. He manages the office’s social media and marketing compliance and represents the office on the Student Media Board. His work interests include expanding his knowledge as an anti-racist/anti-fascist and using his privilege to contribute to a more just world for all.

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Office Assistant

Amy Carcamo is a fourth-year psychology major from Arlington, Virginia, and a proud first-generation Salvadoran American. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in social work with the goal of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). In her free time, Amy enjoys creating small clay figures while unwinding with reality television. She is currently watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Bad Girls Club.

I practice self-care by listening to music while coloring in a coloring book and hanging out with friends.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” - Maya Angelou

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Office Assistant

Anita is an undergraduate in their senior year as well as a first-year graduate student in Sociology! She was born and raised in Woodbridge, VA, and is a first-generation Lao-American. He has a wide range of research interests, such as Asian identity and health disparities, but is also open to exploring other fields and disciplines. In her free time, she volunteers with the Democratic Party of Virginia, hoping to increase voter registration and engagement!

I practice self-care by taking naps as needed and listening to music! As well as going out for a sweet treat, usually boba, every now and then.

"Life is full of chances. Take it lightly" - Kim Jonghyun, SHINee

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Office Assistant

Carrington Smith was a talented visual artist from the 757 area of Virginia with a passion for celebrating African American culture through her work. A recent graduate of Granby High School and an alumna of the Governor’s School for the Arts in the Visual Arts department, Carrington explored complex themes of identity, heritage, and societal perspectives. Now attending VCU for the 2024-2028 academic years, she is majoring in Graphic Design for the Art Foundation. Carrington's artistic journey is enriched by her deep connection to her community and commitment to using art as a medium for cultural expression and social commentary.

I practice self-care by making sure to take care of myself by doing skincare, drinking water, getting active, and being around positive people who have good energy.

“If you don’t define yourself for yourself, you’ll be crushed into other people’s fantasies of you and get eaten alive.”- Issa Rae (Actor)

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Office Assistant

Frannie was born and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is preparing to graduate in December with her Bachelor’s degree in Art History with a minor in Italian Studies. Her research interests include the intersection of art and policy, graffiti and public art, censorship and artistic controversy, and the ways art shapes and reflects identity and community memory. 

After graduating from VCU, Frannie plans to attend graduate school for Arts Administration, where she hopes to work to make community art and museums accessible to all. 

I practice self-care by cooking, reading, attending therapy, and reaching out to my loved ones.

“The humblest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them” - Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

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Office Assistant

Gisselle Pacas-Iraheta is a PROUD Latina (Salvadorena), first-gen, and Scorpio who is currently a junior at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), majoring in Health Services with a focus on the Pre-PA Health Track. Gisselle was born in Richmond, VA, and raised in the neighboring county of Chesterfield. Gisselle is committed to becoming a Physician Assistant to increase Latinx representation in medicine and work towards improving the U.S. healthcare system to better serve Latinx communities.

I practice self-care by being around uplifting friends/family, shopping, exercising, and being with my two dogs (Landon & Scrappy). 

"When you choose yourself, everything around you will choose you too" - Maia

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Office Assistant

Isaih Wade is a freshman from Virginia Beach majoring in Finance. He’s passionate about building a strong foundation in business and is excited to grow both personally and professionally during his college journey. Outside of academics, he enjoys music, spending time in nature, and being around his loved ones.

I practice self-care by listening to music, getting fresh air, and making time for the people who matter most to me.

"The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win." - Kobe Bryant

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Office Assistant

Third-year, dog lover, friend to many, actor, dancer, and hobby collector. She was born and raised in Maryland, moving to Virginia for high school, where she decided to pursue a career in the performing arts as a Theatre major (BFA) at VCU. 

Outside of acting, Jhay has many other interests, such as professional video editing, knitting, crocheting, makeup artistry, calisthenics, drawing, and the occasional video game every now and then. You may even catch her doing drag on the weekends if you're lucky. If Jhay had to absolutely pick another career path, it would definitely be law, and if we were in a completely different time period, she would have loved to have been a court jester. Take this from Jhay: don’t take life too seriously! But also fight for those you love and for those who can’t, and for those you don’t even know. 

“If you can't love yourself, how the hell are you gonna love somebody else? Can I get an amen?” – RuPaul

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Office Assistant

Joe Wells Cole is a first-year computer science student with a concentration on software engineering. He was born in the small town of South Boston, Virginia. Some of his interests include reading, photography, and technology in general. 

I practice self-care by listening to music and going outside when I feel overwhelmed.

“No part of my experience has turned out to be a waste of time” - Satoru Iwata

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Office Assistant

Lena Dao is a first-generation Vietnamese college student majoring in mass communications with a concentration in media production and a psychology minor. She was raised in Manassas, Virginia. She has grown to love movies, with some of her favorites being Sound of Metal and Princess Mononoke.

I practice self-care through reorganizing my room and listening to music! My playlists energize me, and seeing how my space looks afterwards gives me a sense of accomplishment.

"Love your past, but travel on." - Jen, The House

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Office Assistant

Ryley was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and moved to Virginia Beach in 2012. He graduated from the Governor's STEM Academy at Landstown High School and is now a sophomore at VCU, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Pre-Medicine. Driven by a passion to help others, Ryley plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in psychiatry, where he aims to support individuals facing mental health challenges. 

I practice self-care by going on walks around the city, working out at the gym, and spending time with friends.

Quote: “Fear keeps the doors between sealed. It is a basic response to threat.”
- Howard Thurman

Graduate Assistant ♋

Shahad is a master's student in the art education program. In their spare time, they are working on their graphic novel that tackles global issues around gender, race, and social structures, which are topics they like to research. 

My favorite things to do for self-care are drinking tea and going on a bike ride! 

"I have no label for what I am doing" - Kakali Bhattacharya

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Office Assistant

Stephanie is a sophomore at VCU majoring in political science and exploring potential career paths. She’s an active member of the Lambda Eta Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. Outside of class, she enjoys spending time on campus, especially sitting outdoors to study and unwind. Stephanie is passionate about finding her place in the world through both academics and community involvement.

I practice self-care by taking naps and journaling!

"All you need is love" - The Beatles

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Office Assistant

Tajyhia is a first-generation college student from Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is majoring in Mass Communications with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism and is passionate about storytelling and media. Tajyhia enjoys spending time with her loved ones and has found joy in working at a summer camp, where she helps create meaningful experiences for others. She is committed to uplifting her community and pursuing opportunities that allow her to connect, inspire, and lead.

I practice self-care by taking naps and giving myself time to recharge alone.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

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Office Assistant

Zaniah is a junior double-majoring in English and African-American Studies. She is from Virginia Beach and spends her free time doing a variety of different things, mostly reading or writing in some capacity. Though lately she has been playing video games like Marvel Rivals and Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.  

I practice self-care by journaling and writing poetry.

"'Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is a growing up" - James A. Baldwin