Meet the Staff

Gisela P Vega

Director, Programs

gpv15@miami.edu

(305) 284-3935 x1702
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Dr. Vega comes to UM with over 25 years of higher education experience.  She has presented at national and international conferences, countless workshops, and is passionate about diversity education, social justice, and addressing issues of access and choice in higher education. Providing students...
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Mariana Isabel Gonzalez Berrocal

Assistant Director, Programs

mig108@miami.edu

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Mariana Gonzalez is originally from Panama City, Panama. For the past 15 years, she has lived in Texas and studied there too. She has a BA in Dance with a Minor in Education and Spanish from Texas Woman’s University and an MEd in Higher Education with a Women and Gender Studies Certificate from Texas Christian University. ...
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Jason L. Byrley

Administrative Assistant

jlb605@miami.edu

(305) 284-5830
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Jason grew up in Central Florida (Winter Park), moved to Northern California for 20 years, and has recently returned to Florida. Jason has 16 years of experience as an AA/EA/Talent Acquisitions/HR professional. He has unique experiences working in biotechnology, healthcare, finance, higher education, and nonprofits.   In his...
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Student Staff

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Ryan Hires

Senior Program Assistant

Ryan (He/They) is double majoring in Sociology and Gender and Sexuality Studies. He currently serves as the Senior Program Assistant for the LGBTQ Student Cener. In collaboration with the center staff, Ryan plans events that focus on bonding and community-building for the LGBTQ community. Ryan aldo manages the center's social media, as well as helping with general Student Assistant duties.

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Taylor Jagolinzer

Student Assistant

Taylor (They/He) is double majoring in Marine Science and Biology. They currently serve as one of the student assistants in the LGBTQ Student Center, where they monitor and respond to the center’s email inbox, help table and plan events for the center, and aid visitors in finding resources. Both Taylor and Ryan led the TRANScendence student affinity group in the center, which has now become a registed student organizaation at the U.

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Nathan Frazier

Student Assistant

Nathan (They/She/He) is double majoring in Nursing and Gender and Sexuality Studies. He currently serves as one of the student assistants at the LGBTQ Student Center. In this role, he assists with events, tabling, updating outdated media, and attending meetings as an LGBTQ Student Center representative. He was also a resident of the Gender and Sexuality Studies Living Learning Community from 2021-2022.

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Jordan Schooley

Student Assistant

Jordan (They/She) is an Advertising major at the UM School of Communications. They have minors in Public Relations and Creative Writing and are beginning their third year in the Frost Band of the Hour color guard. They are originally from Savannah, Georgia, and enjoy drawing, thrifting, and sewing. They're excited to join the team at the LGBTQ+ Student Center this semester!  In their role, they work on the Pride Press Newsletter and assist in the Center with other tasks assigned.

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Michael Robinson

Student Assistant

Michael (He/Him) is a Neuroscience major with minors in LGBTQ Studies and Chemistry. Last year he was a Pride Ambassador. Michael is involved in Black Leaders for the Queer Community, UBS, Freshman Leadership Academy, and Student Government's DEI Council. They will assist with responding to students' inquiries, tabling, and other tasks assigned to the center. Michael looks forward to seeing what the LGBTQ+ Student Center has to offer this year.

Yulian Villada

Yulian Villada

Student Assistant

Yulian (he/him/el) is originally from New Jersey and transferred in with an Associates in Biomedical Science. Currently, he is a Gender and Sexuality major with a minor in LGBTQ+ Studies. Yulian runs the center's social media accounts and focuses on creating inclusive/interactive content for our UM community and beyond. As a senior, he plans to combine his passion for gender studies and biomedical science to one day create a more inclusive medical field.

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Stephanie Frosch, M.A.

Graduate Assistant

Stephanie joins us with over a decade of experience as an award-winning educator, content creator, theatre practitioner, and LGBTQAI+ advocate. Her DEI and advocacy work has earned her seats on several advisory boards and round tables, the most recent being White House briefings with senior administration officials of the Biden-Harris administration to discuss ongoing initiatives to protect LGBTQIA+ communities. Steph has been a featured speaker for the 50th Commemoration of Stonewall, World Pride, Paramount, Apple, Warner Brothers, GLSEN, The American Alliance for Theatre and Education, as well as colleges and universities throughout the country.

Steph is currently a Ph.D. student in Community Well-Being and an adjunct professor at the U. She holds an M.A. in Educational Theatre and Social Change from New York University and a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Florida. She is thrilled to provide LGBTQAI+ students with the resources, validation, and support to thrive during their time at the U and beyond.