Charlene Martinez

Director

Thanks for visiting the Multi-Cultural Center website.  My name is Charlene Martinez and I have been the Director for the Multi-Cultural Center at Sacramento State since January 2008.  My work in social justice education is informed by my experience working in multi/cross-cultural centers, my educational background, and my lived experience as a Taiwanese-Colombian American, woman of color.  At the MCC, I facilitate the development of the center’s programs and work with numerous students, staff, and faculty to co-create diversity and social justice initiatives.  Before finding my way to this position, I had wonderful working experiences at Student Activities at Mills College, Contra Costa College, the Rockwood Leadership Program, and the Cross-Cultural Center at UC San Diego. 

I have a BA in Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara and a MA in Education with an emphasis in Multi-Cultural Counseling from the Community-Based Block Program at San Diego State University.  In general, I am passionate about issues of equity and inclusion in higher education and healthy transformation for ourselves and our communities.

Personal Profile:  I grew up in a predominantly recent immigrant and refugee community in South East San Diego, California, near City Heights.  Throughout my childhood I spent many hours working in my parent’s coffee shop, ChezNut.  These experiences taught me the constraints and blessings of manual labor, and the importance of education and family.  My undergraduate years at UC Santa Barbara ignited a passion for serving historically under-represented and underserved communities and the development of multicultural centers. 

My time spent in multi/cross-cultural centers has taught me the value of building relationships, and cultivating communities and social awareness.  I am inspired daily by courageous conversations, stories of struggle and identity development, and the practice of wellness, leadership, and social justice. 

"We exist in relation to one another in this space of shared difference and commonalities. In our efforts to build communities, we gather, on Common Ground -- to break barriers and challenge ideas, to affirm experiences, and empower ourselves. Our lives, together with the words and images we leave behind allow us to relate and remember." -- Jon Salunga