Information

For information or assistance with programs, counseling or other multicultural issues please contact one of our staff members listed below.

Anita Ordóñez

Director
Multicultural Student Services
(360) 416-7786
anita.ordonez@skagit.edu

I am the full-time director of Multicultural Student Services as well as the advisor to the Calling All Colors Club.  I have been involved in the field of multicultural education for 33 years.  I have taught kindergarten through college age students of all ethnic backgrounds; worked as a bilingual educator in Southern California, a special educator on an Arizona Indian reservation, a bilingual consultant for a major Michigan school district, and as a multicultural teacher trainer in Idaho.  Besides serving as your director, counselor and club advisor I also facilitate the Fast Track to Success Course each fall, teach student leadership seminar each quarter and organize the annual Champions of Diversity Awards Ceremony.  I thoroughly enjoy working with students of all backgrounds and look forward to helping you reach your goals.

Elizabeth Salinas

Counselor Multicultural Student Services
(360) 416-7952
elizabeth.salinas@skagit.edu

I am the full-time counselor for Multicultural Student Services as well as the co-advisor to the Calling All Colors Club. I have been involved in the field of bilingual education for 16 years. I have earned my Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, TESOL certificate and my Masters of Education degrees from Western Washington University. Before coming to Skagit Valley College I worked as a bilingual Para-educator for the Burlington-Edison School District with students in grades ranging from first through twelfth. I coordinate and organize programming on the "SVC es Para Ti" radio show on KSVR 91.7 FM to inform and educate our Latino/a community of the services, activities and programs offered at SVC. I look forward to developing an assertive outreach program, and a retention and support plan to help multicultural students succeed at Skagit Valley College. I take great satisfaction in guiding students to achieve their objectives.

Adriana Suarez

Overall Chair
Calling All Colors

I am a multicultural student from Nayarit, Mexico and I am very grateful and honored to be the overall chair of Calling All Colors this quarter. This is the biggest leadership challenge that I have faced so far. I will give my best effort to the club and practice my leadership skills with other students. At the same time I am practicing my leadership skills I want to transfer a message- that language difficulty is not a barrier for this position. I hope to improve my English skills and my ability to communicate with people. I am sure I will learn a lot from being in this position not just learning about other cultures from other countries, but also having fun and enjoying the activities that we will have. I want everyone to go beyond their comfort zone and break the ice between cultures. We all are equal and have the same rights.

Monica Villarreal

Work Study Student
Multicultural Student Services

This is my second year in college and I am majoring in Human Services. Meanwhile, in the mornings I am the work study student for the Office of Multicultural Student Services and in the evening I am doing my practicum for United General Hospital. I am pleased to say that my first year in college and as an active member of the Calling All Colors club has been a wonderful experience. I have given back to my community and feel that I am still learning to be a better person. My journey has still not ended and I hope to meet you this year!

Tom Buser

Web and Multimedia Developer
Multicultural Student Services

I am in my second year in the Skagit Valley College MIT (Multimedia and Interactive Technology) Program. As part of my first year's classes, I enjoyed creating web sites for three of my friend's and their businesses. I also learned many very useful multimedia software programs. By working as the web and multimedia developer for the Multicultural Student Services web site, I hope to refine my skills in web development and become a successful free-lance web designer. I have two children and eight grandchildren.