Latino Cultural Center Department within the Division of Diversity and Inclusion

Meet the Staff

Carina Olaru

Carina Olaru

Director, Latino Cultural Center & Director, Student Advocacy and Education

colaru@purdue.edu

Carina Olaru (She/Her/Hers), a Chicago native and daughter of Mexican immigrants, joined Purdue University as the Director of the Latino Cultural Center (LCC) in 2016. Under her leadership, the Latinx student population continues to grow and thrive at Purdue University. In 2017, Carina was responsible for the expansion, renovation, and relocation of the LCC and her vision ensured that the new space was intentionally inclusive and representative of diverse Latinx communities. Her mentorship and support of students, faculty and staff has been the source of the revival of the Latinx Student Union (LSU), the Latinx Graduation Student Association (LGSO) and the Latino Faculty and Staff Association (LaFaSA). In 2020, due to Carina and her team's efforts, the LCC recorded its highest visitation since its opening in 2003 and averages approximately 1,200 visits per month. Olaru established a local and statewide presence for the Latino Cultural Center working closely with Greater Lafayette Immigrant Allies, Indiana Latino Expo, Latino Center for Wellness and Education and the Indiana Latino Institute; and has been an integral part of the planning committee for the Indiana Latino Education Summit and presented at the Indiana Latino Higher Education Consortium. Olaru engages in teaching and learning opportunities and has provided training about Latindad and DACA support for faculty and staff. Carina was awarded Educator of the Year by the Indiana Latino Expo in 2019, is serving a two-year term on the Indiana Latino Institute's Latino (ILI) Legislative Committee, and was selected as part of the ILI Latino Leadership Circle in 2021. Olaru also serves as the Director of Student Advocacy and Education. 
Prior to joining the LCC, Carina Olaru was an assistant professor in the Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures department at Monmouth College, where she taught Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Literature. Professor Olaru was recognized by her colleagues for her work with students and the community when presented the Hatch Award for Distinguished Service and by students who honored her as Outstanding Career Mentor and in the annual Honor Walk for graduating students.
Carina received her bachelor's degree in English and Latin American and Latino Studies with a minor in Spanish from DePaul University in Chicago, IL. She received her Master's in Hispanic literatures with a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In her spare time, she upcycles furniture, reads, gardens, and spends time her partner and their smart and talkative daughter.
See Carina's CV here.
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Ebelin Gomez

Assistant Director, Latino Cultural Center 

gomezey@purdue.edu

Ebelin (She/Her/Hers), was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and a first-generation college graduate. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of California, Riverside. She also received her Master’s degree in School Counseling from California Baptist University, along with her Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential. Prior to joining the LCC, Ebelin led and managed the alumni program for a network of charter schools in the Westlake/MacArthur Park area of Los Angeles, where she equipped first-generation college students with the tools and resources necessary to persist through college. There, she also led the Avanzando Through College program for three years. She comes to the LCC with seven years of experience working with first-generation Latinx students and diverse populations.

During her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, running, and spending time with her husband and two pugs, Romeo and Frida. She is new to the Midwest and is looking forward to experiencing all seasons! She is excited to connect with students at the LCC and provide support in building a sense of community and belonging within the Purdue community.

Guillermo Morgado

Guillermo Morgado 

Administrative Assistant

rmorgado@purdue.edu

 

Guillermo Morgado Rodriguez(he/him/his), joined the Latino Cultural Center (LCC) in January 2023 as the senior administrative assistant. Prior to joining the LCC, Guillermo worked for the Office of Recruitment, Retention and Diversity in Purdue Polytechnic for seven years. Guillermo brings experience in working with undergraduate students to maximize their full potential and serves as the supervisor for the LCC's undergraduate student employees.  

In 2018 and in 2022, Guillermo received the Purdue University Bravo Award for Operational Excellence, showing extraordinary efforts during times of critical department need exceeding expected or required performance. 

Guillermo is a licensed esthetician and truly enjoys make up!  He also enjoys dancing, the outdoors, and healthy food options! He is always willing to lend a helping hand and can’t help but spread his positive attitude.  While working at Purdue, he has helped many students and staff reach their potential and increases positivity wherever he goes. He is truly one of a kind. 

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Laura Marcela Quintero Sarmiento

Graduate Assistant

lquinte@purdue.edu

 

Laura (She/Her/Hers) was born and raised in Cali, Colombia. She joined the Latino Cultural Center (LCC) in May 2024. As a Ph.D. student in Political Sciences, she is deeply interested in understanding the political participation and representation of Afro-Descendant women in Latin America.

Before coming to Purdue, Laura worked as a research assistant at Centro de Estudios Afrodiaspóricos (CEAF) at Universidad Icesi, where she supported two projects: Voices of Equity and Resistance Diaries. Both were oriented to understanding the political place of Afro-Colombians, especially the black youth.

During her free time, Laura enjoys swimming, writing, and hiking. She also loves animals and nature.

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Karen Alvarez Julian 

Graduate Assistant

alvar271@purdue.edu

Karen Alvarez Julian (she/ella/her) joined LCC as a Graduate Assistant in August 2024. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science (MSEd) in Educational Psychology and Research Methodology at Purdue University, specializing in educational measurement and data analytics (EMDA). Karen earned her bachelor's degree in neuroscience with a minor in African studies from Wellesley College. She is a high school biology teacher and a 2022 Teach for America alumna.

After completing her Master’s, Karen plans to pursue a PhD and become a curriculum developer. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she enjoys dancing merengue, working out, listening to jazz, playing chess, and exploring new cuisines.
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Linda Azucena Ontiveros

Undergraduate Student Employee

Linda Azucena Ontiveros began working at the Latino Cultural Center in August 2024 as an undergraduate student employee. Now a sophomore at Purdue University, she is pursuing a double major in Finance and Marketing. She is a first-generation student from South Bend, Indiana and her parents are from Aguascalientes & Jalisco, Mexico. On campus, she serves as Secretary for the Latinx Student Union and is actively involved in Horizons (TRIO Program) as a peer mentor. Linda is also an alumna of Avanzado through College and a member of ALPFA. Over the summer, she took on the role of Team Leader for Boiler Gold Rush, welcoming new students to campus.

In her free time, Linda enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. She also loves reading, making coffee, and baking. Whenever possible, she explores her interests in traveling, hiking, and playing sports like volleyball, soccer, and tennis.

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Silvana Cuervo

Undergraduate Student Employee

Silvana Cuervo (she/ her/ hers) is a senior studying Industrial Engineering. She joined the LCC undergraduate staff her freshman year, in September of 2021. Silvana grew up in Greenville, South Carolina and her family is from Colombia. At Purdue, her main involvement outside of the LCC is as the Vice President of Communications for PSEF, the Purdue Student Engineering Foundation. Silvana loves spending time outdoors, and especially likes running, hiking, gardening, and playing volleyball.
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Michelle Guadarrama

Undergraduate Student Employee

 

Michelle Guadarrama (she/her) joined the LCC as an undergraduate student employee in August of 2024. She is studying Communications with a concentration in Media and Mass Communication; she is also pursuing a minor in Art and Design Studio. Michelle is an active member of the Purdue Student Communication Association (PSCA). She grew up in Northwest Indiana, and her family is from Mexico City.

After completing her Bachelor’s degree, Michelle hopes to work in Sports Communication or do content creation and social media for companies like Adidas, Nike, or Duolingo. Michelle enjoys traveling, learning new languages, reading, watching sports, and spending time with friends.
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Alyssa Starlett Hiller

Undergraduate Student Employee

 

Alyssa Hiller (she/her/hers) joined the Latino Cultural Center August 2024. She is from Northwest Indiana and is a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Health Sciences with a Pre-PA concentration at Purdue. Alyssa is involved in many organizations at Purdue such the Pre-PA club, Women of Color in Healthcare club and the Black Student Union club.

After her undergraduate degree, she intends to go to PA school and pursue her career as a Physician Associate (PA). In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, crocheting, and gaming.