Tasneem Elghandour (She/Hers)

Multicultural Center Coordinator

Tasneem Elghandour, a proud Cal Poly graduate born and raised in San Luis Obispo, is a first-generation college graduate and the child of immigrants. A native Arabic speaker with a background in Linguistics, Philosophy, and Computer Science, she is deeply connected to SWANA communities and focuses on the intersections of language, identity, and belonging. She believes in the art of storytelling as a catalyst for connection and change, creating programs at the Multicultural Center that elevate student voices and ensure underrepresented students have the space to thrive.

Multicultural Center Student Assistants

Aditi Lappathi (She/They)

Student Assistant – Multicultural Center

I'm a 5th-year Computer Engineering student and have been involved with SDAB since my first year, where I've enjoyed building connections and becoming more engaged with the campus community. At the MCC, I look forward to continuing to create a welcoming space for students to study, hang out, and participate in activities together.

Cassandra F. Merrer (She/Her/Ella)

Student Assistant – Multicultural Center

Hi beautiful people! My name is Cassandra Ferrer Miranda, but most people just call me Cass. My pronouns are she/her/ella, and I am a 3rd-year majoring in Child Development. What brought me to SDAB was honestly the people who are a part of it. Seeing how welcoming and passionate everyone was about creating community at an institution that is not built for people like me meant everything to me. Student belonging means being seen, valued, and celebrated for who you are in all capacities. During my time with the MCC, I hope to grow both personally and professionally while helping to foster a space that feels like a home away from home. I want to support events, uplift voices, and continue building connections that make campus feel a little more inclusive and a lot more loving.

PolyCultural Weekend Coordinators

Sutharsana Karthikeyan

Operations Coordinator – PolyCultural Weekend

My name is Sutharsana Karthikeyan and I am a 3rd-year Civil Engineering major with a minor in Real Property Development. This is my second year working with SDAB as the PCW Operations Coordinator! I joined SDAB because the MCC was a place where I met many new people from different backgrounds. I got to share my story and hear the stories of others. I not only felt comfort in my identity but took pride in it. Working for SDAB, I hope to continue to create a home for people of differing backgrounds to find pride in their stories!

Paige Blankenship

Connections Coordinator – PolyCultural Weekend

I'm Paige Blankenship, a second-year double majoring in Philosophy and Comparative Ethnic Studies. SDAB was instrumental in helping me find comfort on Cal Poly's campus. From being brought into Cal Poly under the wings of CORE and CCE, to hanging out in the Black Academic Excellence Center and volunteering on PCW's Committee, working for SDAB was a no-brainer for me! During my time with the MCC/PCW, I aim to increase the visibility of Black students and queer students of color on campus. We are a small but mighty minority, and while we tend to reference Kimberlé Crenshaw's "intersectionality" in passing, we can't forget that it's an action. We should learn from the people, for the people, through engagement with diverse communities.

Celina Aaliyah James

Entertainment Coordinator – PolyCultural Weekend

Hello! I am a third-year Public Health major with a concentration in Community and Public Health. What brought me to SDAB is a desire to help build a campus community where every student feels seen and supported, especially in a not-so-diverse environment. Student belonging to me means more than being included, but also feeling confident in the environment they are in to have the opportunity to be academically successful. By being part of PCW, I hope to allow for new incoming students to join the community and find people they belong to. I think college is generally a scary and new concept. I hope in any way I can help allow the new incoming class to feel less scared and find more community in a place that may not reflect their home and instead create a new home.

Moriah Riggs

Hospitality Coordinator – PolyCultural Weekend

Hello! I am a third-year student pursuing Business Administration with a focus on HR Management and Ethnic Studies. Choosing Cal Poly was one of my best decisions; however, taking that leap felt daunting, as a first-generation college student committing to a Predominantly White Institution far from home. The robust sense of community and support extended by Student Diversity and Belonging (SDAB) staff and spaces truly catalyzed my acclimation and success since Day 1. Transforming into a highly involved student leader, I joined the MultiCultural Center to serve as the Hospitality Coordinator for PolyCultural Weekend (PCW) – utilizing my background in event planning and customer service to support these invaluable, transformative initiatives.