Correa is new Chavez Center director

By Abby Cowels
Staff Writer

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is welcoming a new director, Olga Correa, to the Cesar Chavez Learning Center (CCLC), a place of inclusivity and belonging.

Correa is insightful into the disparity and marginalization among individuals and how that impacts their opportunities toward education. This is why she is helping to support the four empowering focused programs currently offered at the CCLC.

“I was intrigued by LCC’s call for a director of the Cesar Chavez Learning Center because of my previous experience working with pre-college and post-secondary programs that support first-generation, students of color, and low-income students,” Correa said.

Those programs aim to embrace diversity, educate and create ally-ships within the student body, and offer a support system helping to lead to success. The CCLC is creating a community where everyone is welcome to join these programs.

“As a first-generation student, I experienced many challenges trying to navigate college life, but I was fortunate to have places similar to the CCLC as a huge source of support,” said Correa.

Fostering a welcoming atmosphere is a top prerogative at the ODI, and Correa has plans to add to the positive and inclusive environment through the CCLC.

“I am excited to continue leading efforts in higher education that promote critical dialogue and allow folks to understand that while we all come from different backgrounds … we have to be prepared to expand our knowledge base … to truly align ourselves with efforts that remove these systemic barriers to promote recruitment, retention and success for all students,” Correa said.

The CCLC is located on the first floor of the Arts & Sciences Building, in room 1313. Check the Office of Diversity and Inclusion announcements for events and news.