Meet the Staff

Roseilyn Guzman (she/her/ella)

Director

Roseilyn Guzman joins Rutgers University as the new Director of the Center for Latino Arts and Culture (CLAC). She brings with her extensive experience in student and academic affairs, along with a deep passion for student development and empowerment. She holds a B.S. in Education and Public Policy and an M.S. in Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs, both from The Pennsylvania State University.

Prior to joining Rutgers, Roseilyn served as the Associate Director of La Casa Latina: The Center for Hispanic Excellence at the University of Pennsylvania. During her time at UPenn, she served an on-call staff member within Student Intervention Services and worked as an academic advisor in both the College of Liberal and Professional Studies and the School of Social Policy and Practice, and most recently served as the inaugural faculty advisor for the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) chapter at the university. Her previous roles also include Academic Advisor in the Honors Program at Temple University and Assistant Director of Residential Life & Case Manager at Amherst College.

Roseilyn’s commitment to student success began during her undergraduate years at Penn State, where she navigated the institution as a first-generation, low-income student. She was actively involved in Residence Life, Student Conduct, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as TRiO Programs. She was inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary as a Resident Assistant, served as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, worked as the Graduate Assistant for the BLUEprint Mentoring Program housed in the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, and became a sister of Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Incorporated. These formative experiences ignited her lifelong dedication to working with college students.

Her commitment to uplifting her community and expanding student access across various spaces led to her recognition as an Outstanding New Advisor Award winner in the Primary Role category by NACADA’s Global Community for Academic Advising. Outside her professional responsibilities, she serves as the Scholarship Chair for the League of United Latin American Citizens, Council 20009 (LULAC PHL) in Philadelphia, and as a Board Member for the Esperanza Academy Board of Trustees. Her wealth of knowledge and experience has equipped her to effectively support, advise, and empower students to thrive during their collegiate journeys and beyond.

In her spare time, Roseilyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, exploring new coffee shops, listening to podcasts, and cooking. She is excited to begin this new chapter at Rutgers and looks forward to meeting you. Stop by CLAC to give her a warm welcome!

Angel J. Perez (he/him/his)

Assistant Director

Angel J. Perez joins Rutgers University–New Brunswick as the new Assistant Director of the Center for Latino Arts and Culture (CLAC). A proud Camden city native, with more than a decade of professional experience in student success, community development and narrative-based digital storytelling. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University–Camden and a dual BA in Writing Arts and Radio, TV & Film from Rowan University. In spring 2026 he will have completed a Master of Arts in Emerging Media.

Angel’s passion for equity and advocacy began early— shaped by his start at Camden County Community College and experiences in TRiO Upward Bound and the Educational Opportunity Fund program. These formative years taught him not only how transformative education could be, but also how essential it is to ensure that people who are often pushed to the margins are seen, heard, and affirmed. A passionate educator, artist, and community advocate, Angel’s creative work focuses on empowerment. The goal is to ensure students’ experiences are elevated rather than erased.

Before joining CLAC, Angel worked with the CHAMP/Gear Up, Aspira Upward Bound, and was the Southern Regional Coordinator for the Rutgers’ Youth Advisory Board. Most recently he served as the Sr. Student Programs Coordinator EOF at Rutgers–Camden, where he oversaw student leadership development initiatives and provided both 1:1 and group advising. His work has supported students in the criminal justice system, those navigating post-secondary life and other transitions, and anyone seeking belonging and purpose.

He was the architect of MOOD (Men Overcoming Obstacles Daily), an affinity-based community group for men of color that integrated mentorship, social-emotional development, and narrative reclamation through personal and professional growth opportunities. Most recently he designed and executed a five-week culturally grounded storytelling curriculum that empowered students while highlighting community assets. The project is rooted in dignity, restoration, and justice. It is his belief that students and natives deserve to be understood beyond data points or stereotypes in correlation to institutions and corporations.

Personally, Angel enjoys photography, running, exploring arts spaces, and celebrating his Puerto Rican heritage. He truly believes art is resistance, truth-telling, and a superpower. He’s excited to begin this new chapter contributing to the already vibrant, affirming community that is CLAC. 

Monica Madera (she/her/ella)

Senior Program Coordinator

Monica is a proud Rutgers alumna with a B.A. in Latino and Caribbean Studies and a graduate degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from William Paterson University. With a strong commitment to fostering belonging and student success, she has led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and supported cultural student organizations at Drew University. Monica also served as an AmeriCorps member in New Brunswick, helping to expand college access resources for local students and families. 

Monica strives to create welcoming and empowering spaces where students feel seen, heard, and supported. She believes in the power of community, representation, and mentorship in shaping meaningful college experiences.

Outside of work, Monica is passionate about exploring the world — she has traveled to 15 countries and loves experiencing new cultures through food, language, and connection. When she’s not traveling or in the kitchen trying new recipes, she enjoys prioritizing self-care through movement, with yoga being one of her favorite practices.

Yanaisy Santana (she/her/ella)

Graduate Intern

Yanaisy Santana is a second-year student pursuing an MPH in Health Systems and Policy from the Rutgers School of Public Health. She received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health with two certificates in Global Public Health and Health Disparities and minored in Latino and Caribbean Studies. Her research interests include politics and media, intergenerational effects of public policy, Latine and Caribbean studies, Maternal and Child health, and integrating feminist and racial frameworks to inform policies that better serve marginalized communities. She was a previous CLAC leader that was part of Bachata Dance Team and Rutgers Union Estudiantil Puertorriquena (RUEP). She is also a proud Douglass, EOF, and McNair alumnae. 

Feel free to connect with her in our space, she enjoys chatting with students and serving as a resource!