South Middlesex Times

Gary Santos Mendoza faced challenges finding acceptance as a queer Latino during his college years. While attending St. John’s University in New York City, he joined Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the oldest Latino fraternity in existence. There, he discovered that some of his fraternity brothers were also queer but not openly so. This realization highlighted the need for greater visibility and representation within the Latinx community.

His personal experiences with anxiety and depression motivated him to pursue a career in higher education to support students facing similar challenges. “Being Latinx, queer and dealing with mental health challenges, it was important for me to give back in a very specific way in higher ed and ensure the kids like me not only see themselves in the world, but that they feel more than worthy to be in it,” Santos Mendoza said.

Santos Mendoza currently serves as the director of the Intercultural Resource Center at Rutgers University-Newark. This social justice department within the Division of Student Affairs-Newark supports students from diverse backgrounds, including the LGBTQA+ community. Recently, he was honored as a 2024 American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Diamond Honoree—a recognition bestowed by one of the nation's leading student affairs organizations.

He was nominated by a colleague familiar with his work at Rutgers, which includes supporting historically marginalized and economically disadvantaged students of color. “This award feels like validation – that it was okay to say and do all the things that I did and not follow the status quo or what was given because I refused to constrict myself into the traditional definition of a higher education leader,” Santos Mendoza stated.

Since joining Rutgers-Newark in August 2019, Santos Mendoza has focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, student life, leadership education, community engagement, LGBTQA+ services, and Greek life. Under his leadership, the center offers various programs such as racial healing circles and identity-based celebrations like Rainbow Graduation. It also examines current events and hosts culturally based events throughout the year.

The Diamond Honoree program was established in 1999 to advance research and scholarship promoting student development and success. Diamond Honorees are recognized by individuals who raise funds to honor their contributions to higher education through student affairs.

In addition to this honor, Santos Mendoza received an award from ACPA – College Student Educators International Mid-Level Community of Practice for Outstanding Commitment to Racial Justice and Decolonization (SIRJD). “Winning these awards is a blessing,” said Santos Mendoza. “Not only as someone working in higher education but as a queer individual working in diversity, equity and inclusion.”

The Diamond Honoree program has generated nearly $500,000 since its inception for continued research and scholarships within ACPA. Nominees must raise at least $2,500 with an additional challenge goal of $3,000.

Reflecting on his journey during his acceptance speech for these honors, Santos Mendoza emphasized learning through both choice and circumstance—particularly during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic—and how crucial multifaceted approaches are for supporting diverse student populations effectively.

“I do my best to lead by example with my team by letting them know that it's okay to be yourself," he said. "It's okay to acknowledge sometimes that this work can be challenging."

Currently completing his Ph.D. in educational leadership with a focus on higher education from Florida Atlantic University and authoring his first book on cultural centers' complexities on college campuses titled "Heart Work: The Handbook on Surviving and Thriving Cultural/Identity Centers in Higher Education," Santos Mendoza remains committed to fostering inclusive environments for students.

“The students give me so much life and energy to continue this work," he remarked about his role at Rutgers-Newark. "Being able to help them better their community while learning more about themselves brings me immense joy.”