Staff Directory

Shonté Thomas, M.Ed

Greetings and Salutations!

I am Shonte Thomas, the director of the African American Resource and Cultural Center. Our mission is to empower, support, strengthen and retain all students whom identify within the African diaspora. As well, I work collaboratively with my colleagues/peers to aid in outreach aimed at create a greater sense of visibility for the underrepresented communities at UCSC. Slug Life forever!

Contact:
Email: sfthomas@ucsc.edu  Phone: (831) 459-3561

Aaron Jones, M.Ed.

Hello! 

I am excited to join the African American Resource & Cultural Center. I just recently joined UCSC as a full time staff member in May of 2016 and I am charged with supporting the retention and graduation of African/Black/and/or Caribbean. Specifically, I am here to provide academic advising and counseling to any and all students who identify as African/Black/and/or Caribbean. I am also working on a lot of great programs and projects and I look forward to the work I get to do with the ABC community! Come say hello, my office is located in the Career Center! 

Contact:  Email: ajones10@ucsc.edu  Phone: (831) 459-2898

Follow me on Twitter: @Aaron_Jones_Jr

Brittany Young

Hey everyone! 

I am Brittany Young, the First Year Experience (FYE) Graduate Program Coordinator at the African American Resource and Cultural Center. I am a PhD candidate in Psychology department here at UCSC. I am so thrilled to provide direct support for first year undergraduate African/Black and or Caribbean identified students. I am excited to be working on programs with the goals of providing social and academic supports, as well as, preparation for our students future goals. You can find me in the Ethnic Resource Center, so stop by for a visit : )

Cierra Sherman

Hey y'all,

My name is Cierra Sherman. I am a third year student at UCSC majoring in Community Studies with a minor in Legal Studies. I am originally from San Francisco, but now I live in Richmond, CA. This is my second year working with the AARCC and I am pleased to be a new Student Program Coordinator. This is a new role for me here at the AARCC and I am really excited to see all of the new challenges this position will bring me! I just discovered a new passion for cooking, so if you cannot find me here at the AARCC, i'll either be trying out a new recipe I found online or binge watching a new show on Netflix. I am really excited to meet all of the new and continuing members of the ABC community, so stop by the AARCC and say Hey! 

Alexandria McGiill

Hello,

My name is Alexandria Mercedes McGill, but I prefer to be called Alex for short.  I’m a junior majoring in AGMP (Games and Playable Media) and minoring in Literature.  I’m the biggest nerd when it comes to video games and music.  I enjoy all types of music, but my all time favorite artist to listen to is Public Enemy.  I decided to work for the ARRCC, because I wanted to be apart of creating a positive and supportive space for ABC students.  My goals are to keep Black students from dropping out and provide a more open-minded community.   After I graduate, I want to be able to work on decreasing the stereotypes (of all races) seen in video games.  Nevertheless, feel free to wave and say “Hi” if you see me around campus.  I might look scary at first, but I’m not… I was just up all night doing homework so I’m not happy with myself.  Have an AMAZING school year! #TooBlackTooStrong

Zayana Ross-Torrence

Hey everyone!

My name is Zayana Ross-Torrence and this is my first time interning for the AARCC. I am a 4th year originally from Los Angeles and affiliated with Oakes College. Studying biology and dance, I love learning new information about the human body and I am pursuing a career in the medical field. I love oldies but goodies, action movies and amazing food. The AARCC and Ethnic Resource Center has truly been a welcoming place for me as a student and I hope I can support that for you. I am friendly so please say hello (and maybe even do a little random dance) when you see me. I look forward to meeting you!