Mai Yer Yang (she/her)
Interim Director of Centers for Advocacy and Student Engagement &
Director
Mai Yer is a first-generation college student who was born and raised in Ban Vinia Refugee Camp, Thailand. Her family immigrated to the United States when she was 9 years old and resided in Akron, OH but later moved to Sheboygan, WI. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Professional Development with an emphasis on Higher Education Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She has over 14 years of experience working in higher education specifically with traditionally underserved student populations, cultural programming, and DEI. Mai Yer loves to travel and eat local authentic food. She believes that the best way to learn about a culture is through food. Her strengths are communication, adaptability, organization, and event planning.

Olivia Clifton (she/her)
Assistant Director
Olivia, a proud first-generation graduate student at the UWM Zilber School of Public Health is pursuing her MPH in Community and Behavioral Health Promotion. Originally from Villa Park, Illinois, she moved with her family to Manitowoc, Wisconsin when she was young. Olivia received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is excited to be continuing her education in graduate school here. She has been with the Inclusive Excellence Center since 2014 and finds her job very rewarding. In her role as the coordinator for first-generation students, Olivia strives to connect students with the resources and tools that will help them to succeed. She appreciates diversity, authenticity, and community. Olivia is a homebody, dog lover, movie fanatic, and foodie. Apart from her role as a graduate student and employee, Olivia enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring Milwaukee, and playing board games.

Makayla Brame (she/her)
Lawton Assistant and Office Manager
Makayla, a senior student double majoring in Sociology and Psychology, was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. She received her Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from the UWM at Waukesha campus and transferred to UWM in 2021. Makayla has a passion for helping others and hopes to continue her education by becoming an LPC. She has a passion for working with youth with ADHD, mixed-race individuals, and Native American communities with an interest in working on the reservations she is a descendent of. She began working at the Inclusive Excellence Center in Summer 2021. Makayla is excited to use her position to encourage diversity, equity, social justice, and promote an accepting and safe environment for everyone. When she is not working, Makayla enjoys hanging out with her 2 cats (Jude and Penni), watching crime shows, playing video games like Stardew Valley, and spending time with friends.

Lydia McDowell (she/her)
DREAMER’s Assistant
Lydia is a first-generation student pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Communication. She dreams of becoming a school Psychologist or operating a halfway home. Lydia transferred to UWM her sophomore year and is now a senior. She is a proud bird-mom to her two cockatiels, Noodle and Tofu. In her spare time, she enjoys arts and crafts, the Sims 4, makeup, and spending time outdoors. Lydia began working in the Inclusive Excellence Center in the Fall of 2021 and is thrilled to use her position to connect with students and bring awareness to diversity and inclusivity at UWM.

Mee Xiong (she/her) 
Intercultural Assistant
Mee is a first-generation, nontraditional college student who is pursuing a major in Early Childhood Education. She is from La Crosse, Wisconsin. In 2014, she moved to Wausau, Wisconsin where she has been married for over 9 years. She has over 10 years of being a Medical Assistant before switching over  to Early Childhood. Mee began working in the Inclusive Excellence Center in Spring of 2022 and she hopes to provide a welcoming and diverse environment for all students. Outside of school, Mee enjoys traveling, doing arts and crafts and spending quality time with her friends and family. 

Mehan Jinadasa (he/him)
Intercultural Assistant 
Mehan, a first-generation international student who’s majoring in neuroscience and minoring in psychology, was born In Sri-Lanka but raised in several different countries, including UAE, KSA, Qatar, and Bahrain. He transferred to Milwaukee his sophomore year and now is a senior. He loves dogs, playing basketball and guitar, and taking his snake Sly for a walk. He began working in the Inclusive Excellence Center in the Spring of 2022 and hopes to help other first-generation students and all other students feel welcomed in UWM. He wants to become a cognitive neuroscientist after grad school and will love all the research that comes with it. 

Victoria Mora (she/her)
Graphic Designer
Victoria is currently a senior in the Design & Visual Communication program here at UWM. She is a first-generation college student who was born and raised here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After graduation, Victoria hopes to find a design job either locally or somewhere else in the U.S. where she can meet new people and discover a new environment. In addition to design, Victoria also enjoys photography and has taken a variety of photo classes here at UWM. Victoria’s hobbies include crafting, biking, playing video games, and spending time with family and friends. Victoria began working in the Inclusive Excellence Center in July 2022 and hopes to meet new people as well as share her creativity, new ideas, and designs with everyone.

Anthony Jairo Elwood (He/him)
Intercultural Assistant
Anthony is a first-generation, Mexican-American student who is majoring in business and then going on to pursue his masters in architecture. After studying at UWM at Waukesha for his first two years, Anthony transferred here to the main Milwaukee campus and is now a junior at the Lubar School of Business. He began working at the Inclusive Excellence Center in the fall of 2022 and is very excited to guide other first-generation students through their journey at UWM. While not juggling work and school he enjoys hanging out with his friends and family, going to the gym and traveling.

 

In Loving Memory of Stephanie Narvaez

Stephanie was creative, kind, authentic and extraordinarily beautiful on the inside and out. She lit up any room and was the most wonderful addition to our team. Stephanie will always be in our hearts and a part of our family; we will treasure our memories and time spent with her forever. A beautiful soul is never forgotten.

Rest in peace Steph.