Staff Photos & Profiles

Staff

Charlene Brown-McKenzie, COL ’95, MSW, LICSW

Associate Director, CMEA
Executive Director
Meyers Institute for College Preparation

With her wealth of programming and counseling background as a clinical social worker, Ms. McKenzie serves as the architect for building the relationships with students and their families through Georgetown pre-college program, the Meyers Institute for College Preparation. Through designing and implementing programs, hiring instructors, collaborating with community partners, and working with funders, she is responsible for sustaining MICP's mission: to prepare D.C. students for college and ensure that they are admitted, enrolled, and graduated. Ms. McKenzie, who joined CMEA in 1999, is a native of Jamaica and came to Georgetown as an undergraduate from Connecticut.

Jacqueline Mac, M.A.

Program Coordinator

Jacqueline advises and works with the Student of Color Alliance (SOCA), the Young Leaders in Education about Diversity (YLEAD) pre-orientation program, the Leaders in Education about Diversity (LEAD) peer education and dialogue facilitation group, and Hoya Saxa Weekend. She is a big believer in students' potential to bring change to the world. Jacqueline is a Chicago native who received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Master of Arts in College Student Personnel at the University of Maryland - College Park. When she is not working closely with students, she enjoys food (eating, talking about, and cooking), running, traveling, football, and Netflix.

Jessica A. Perrilliat, M.A.

Program Assistant

Jessica is responsible for CMEA’s new student welcome event “Pangaea,” CMEA involvement in Welcome Week/International Week, the Bias Reporting System, website/social media management, marketing/outreach for all CMEA initiatives, and is the Co-Advisor for Hoya Saxa Weekend. She enjoys mentoring students of all ages and makes it a priority to ensure that students reach their full potential. Jessica was born in Newport News, Virginia and raised in Dallas, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Television, and Film with a concentration in Audio Production from Howard University and her Master of Arts in Radio, Television, and Film with a Media Industry Studies concentration from the University of North Texas. Her favorite quote is “success is the ongoing process of striving to become more.”

Cinthya Salazar, M.S.

Assistant Director, CMEA
Director
Community Scholars Program

Cinthya is responsible for all operations of the Community Scholars Program and serves as the Advisor for the Peer Mentoring Program and Patrick Healy Fellows. In addition, she provides programming support for different CMEA initiatives and special events. She is an advocate for justice and strongly believes that every person deserves to have access to education. Cinthya is a Peruvian native, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and Journalism, and a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University. In her free time, Cinthya enjoys cooking and spending quality time with family and friends.

Elizabeth Velez, M.A.

Senior Advisor
Community Scholars Program

English Professor Velez, an Alabama native, has been a mainstay of the Community Scholars Program for more than two decades. As Senior Advisor, she sets the curriculum, recruits faculty, advises students and oversees the program, and also provides academic advising and support for other students through CMEA.

Dennis A. Williams, M.F.A.

Associate Dean of Students
Director, CMEA

Professor Williams is responsible for all of the operations of CMEA and also supervises the Academic Resource Center. He is the author of two published novels and teaches in the English department. Born and raised in Upstate New York, he has been at Georgetown since 1997.

John C. Wright, Ph.D.

Counselor

Dr. Wright is a licensed psychologist who is originally from New Jersey. He received his bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and doctorate from Florida State University. He has an interest in developing culturally sensitive, community-based interventions and providing multicultural outreach services. He has a particular interest in issues effecting men of color on campus. He provides private counseling and consultative services to students at CMEA on Thursdays.

Interns & Assistants

Sharice Davis

Student Intern

"CMEA has been a home to me since the beginning of my freshman year. The community here has allowed me to meet great people and introduced me to amazing opportunities that have shaped my college career. Understanding the impact that CMEA has had on me and witnessing the way that the office has affected other students has truly helped me see their mission come to life and feel like I am a part of a much larger community here at the university."

Princess Fuller

Undergraduate Assistant

"Even before I set foot on campus, CMEA was already an integral part of my undergraduate experience here at Georgetown. Before I arrived to Georgetown, CMEA assigned me a mentor that reached out to me to ensure that I had that personal support from an upperclassman that had already experienced this life-changing transition. Throughout the years, I have volunteered in the greater DC area through programs offered through CMEA, which truly speaks to the Georgetown ideal of 'men and women for others.' However, apart from CMEA being a place that has aided me in breaking away from the Georgetown bubble, I am beginning to realize more and more how CMEA is not only a place of employment for me, but also a warm environment in which I always feel welcomed."

Alma Huerta Dominguez

Student Intern

"From the first moment I walked through the front gates to returning from a year abroad, CMEA has always made me feel welcome at Georgetown. Through its programs and its always welcoming staff, the Center is always encouraging students to come and use their services. CMEA is a home for a lot of students, and even for those that only stop by once a year, It is a resource for any student that needs a bit of help."

Grant Hunter

Graduate Assistant

"CMEA has a warm, open atmosphere. Working with the Community Scholars Program has given me a tremendous opportunity to further my professional development, as well as work with an amazingly bright and a wonderfully composed diverse group of students. It’s great that there is a place for students of all backgrounds and experiences to come and feel welcome, as well as receive support. As a Georgetown graduate student, I have learned so much more than I have ever known about the immense amount of resources available to promote my well-being via my work here with the Community Scholars Program and with CMEA."

Elizabeth Oh

Student Intern

"For some reason, the office of CMEA is an immediate comfort zone, even though it's bounded by a lack of sunshine and the constant whirring of our beloved printer. Everyone who walks past is a friend, even if they don't sign in. It's been a wonderful experience getting to know the staff and students who employ CMEA's resources and to tell you the truth, I would not want to earn money in any other way."

Yasmin Serrato

Student Intern

"From cheap printing to book loans to great programs, my experience with CMEA has helped shape the person I am today. Since the beginning of my Georgetown journey, CMEAhas been a constant reminder that I am not alone. The Center has helped me learn more about my values and self by challenging my preconceived notions of identity. In addition, the staff has also helped me as I continue to grow as a student and professional. Every time I walk into the office, I know someone there will let me sit on his or her couch and just talk."

April-Michelle Thomas

Student Intern

"To me, CMEA represents one of the few places on campus that actually tries to REDUCE rather than INTENSIFYone's stress. When I come to CMEA or take part in its programming, regardless of what I have going on as far as academics, my extra-curricular activities, or my home life, I feel relaxed. I really appreciate the comforting aura of CMEA, its staff and my fellow interns. Everything about this office and its mission makes me feel good - and for me, that's priceless."

Aya Waller-Bey

Student Intern

"Since Hoya Saxa Weekend, CMEA has always served as my home base. For me, my connection with CMEA strengthened even more during my time as a Community Scholar. The Center offers a number of great resources for students but most importantly, contains amazing staff members that I know I can talk to about anything. As a first generation college student, having CMEA's support is really valuable and their compassion for non-traditional students has led me back to the Center as a student intern."