Meet Our Staff
Dr. Charlene Brown-McKenzie
Senior Associate Dean of Students
Executive Director, Access and Success
Charlene Brown-McKenzie serves as Senior Associate Dean of Students and Executive Director of Access and Success. Her portfolio includes the leadership of the Center for Multicultural Equity & Access (CMEA) at Georgetown University.
Dr. Brown-McKenzie, a Georgetown alumna with a sociology degree, earned a Master in Social Work from Columbia University. After returning to Georgetown, she became executive director of the Institute for College Preparation (ICP) focusing on college and career readiness for students in the District of Columbia. In 2014, she was appointed director of the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access (CMEA), where she oversees day-to-day operations and aims to foster student success and global citizenship. Charlene completed her doctorate at Georgetown with a research focus on cultural capital and the intersection of K-12 and higher education.
Lex Lewis-Semien
Associate Director, Student Support Services
Director, Community Scholars Program
Lex is a two-time first-generation graduate. She received her B.S. in Sociology from Texas A&M University and M.Ed. from the University of California, Los Angeles. Lex infuses the knowledge gained from her past experiences within Financial Aid, Residential Life, and Student Athletics into her work to support the success of her students, peers, and colleagues.
Originally from in and around Houston, she served as the assistant director for the First-Gen+ Center at George Mason University.
Daelyn Moon
Assistant Director, Academic Success | Community Scholars Program
Daelyn Moon (She/Her) manages the academic resources and student support services in the center inclusive of the CMEA Academic Seminar Series, the CSP Technology Loaner Program, and supporting the Community Scholars Program holistic wraparound support and retention of first-generation Hoyas. Additionally, she organizes all assessment & data for these services and programming. Daelyn received her Master of Higher Education and Student Affairs degree from Loyola University Chicago, making her a twice Jesuit-educated Scholar practitioner and double first-generation graduate. She leverages her expertise in first-year experience, student development, leadership, and equity to focus on responsive access, retention, and success of college students.
Dr. Jennifer Crewalk
Associate Director, Undocumented Student Services, CMEA
Director of Group Initiatives, Division of Student Affairs
Jennifer Crewalk joined the CMEA in February 2020. Dr. Crewalk has 14 years of experience advocating for and working with undocumented and first-generation college students. Her values of family, holistic health and community resilience ground her advocacy and inspire her racial and social justice work. Dr. Crewalk has put herself through school, earning a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from George Mason University and an Executive Certificate in DEI at Georgetown University.
Nikki Johnson
Assistant Director, School Partnership
Community Engagement, Pre-College Programs
Nikki joined CMEA in June 2008 and serves as the Program Coordinator for School Partnership & Community Engagement. She oversees the recruitment, programming and academic support for the middle school students to ensure they will move on to high school and college. Nikki graduated from the Catholic University of America with a Bachelor of Arts in history. Being from the DC area has made Nikki very passionate about giving back to her community and the work she does for ICP. She has spoken with residents at the local House of Ruth and led discussion sessions with teenage moms.
Anthony Bierria-Anderson
Assistant Director, Institute for College Preparation
Anthony originates from Freeport, NY. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations while playing football at Utica University, before diving into the world of coaching for three impactful years. It was during this time that he realized his passion for empowering students to reach their full potential. Motivated by this passion, he pursued a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Instruction, further honing his skills in creating inclusive learning environments. Transitioning from coaching, Anthony discovered a new avenue for impact in admissions and academic advising. His tenure at Howard University saw him play pivotal roles in guiding prospective students through the admissions process and supporting current students in their academic journeys.
Star Peña
Assistant Director of Student Success and Multicultural Programming
Star Peña (She/Her) is a proud first-generation college graduate, with a Master of Science in Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Race and Ethnic Relations from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Grounded in principles of equity, community cultural wealth, and holistic student support, Star is dedicated to creating spaces that empower students to thrive academically, socially, and personally throughout their Georgetown journey. She oversees multicultural living-learning communities including Black House and Casa Latina, advises peer leaders, and coordinates student success and transition programs that foster belonging, community, and academic achievement.
Christian Carrera
Program Coordinator
Christian Carrera is a first-generation college graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Global Studies. Originally from Charlotte, NC, his passion for supporting students from traditionally underserved backgrounds stems from his diverse experience in college advising, financial aid, and first-generation and low-income student support. As a Program Coordinator, Christian contributes to multicultural programming, communications and technology management, advising and student support, recruitment, and administration and operations. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Professional Studies in Higher Education Administration at Georgetown University, where he aims to deepen his expertise in promoting equitable access to higher education and empowering students to navigate their academic and professional journeys with confidence.