Syracuse University’s LGBT Resource Center has hired Jorge Castillo as assistant director and Jo Wang as program coordinator, it announced Tuesday. They begin their positions in July.

This decision comes a month after assistant director candidates presented their plans for the center at the SU campus. Castillo, Carl Kalmick and Kaelae Shaner were the three final assistant director candidates.

A committee made up of two graduate students, two undergraduate students and three staff members evaluated potential candidates, khristian kemp-delisser told The Daily Orange in May. kemp-delisser is the center’s director.

As assistant director, Castillo will implement internal and external programs and trainings, collaborate with other groups on campus to promote inclusivity and support students with marginalized identities, according to an email sent by the LGBT Resource Center on Tuesday.

Castillo is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Connecticut who focuses on queer sexualities and globalization in Caribbean literature and film, per the email. He was previously the assistant director for West Virginia University’s LGBTQ+ Center and oversaw the school’s LGBTQ studies minor. He has also taught, researched and mentored within LGBTQ studies and Latin American studies programs at UConn and St. Lawrence University.

When he spoke on campus in May, Castillo outlined plans to reinforce SU’s academic networks, foster LGBT mentorship and create career advancement opportunities in the community.

Jo Wang previously served as the center’s graduate assistant while they were a master’s student in the School of Education’s higher education program. They studied interdisciplinary studies, diversity education, business and Asian American studies at Cornell University before earning their master’s at SU, per the email.

As program coordinator, Wang will advise student organizations and discussion groups, facilitate trainings and workshops and plan events like Trans Day of Liberation and the HoliGay party.

Published on June 12, 2018 at 7:43 pm

Contact Colleen: cefergus@syr.edu | @ColleenEFergus2