Meet the Staff

Mr. Carlos Fernandez, Ph.D

Director

Carlos A. Fernandez joined the Center for Latino Arts and Culture in 2005. He holds a doctorate in folklore from Indiana University, where he specialized in ethnomusicology. Originally from Costa Rica, he is a musician performing vocal and instrumental music from the Latin American renaissance and contemporary folk and popular music. His scholarly research has focused on popular religious practice and traditional music of Central America and the Caribbean and includes several articles and a book, Romancero y Cancionero Tradicional de Costa Rica (1999). Dr. Fernandez serves as adjunct faculty with the Department of Latino and Caribbean Studies, where he teaches an introductory seminar for the Latin Images Living Learning Community (LLC) and courses in Latino festival, identity and performance.

Ms. Saskia Leo Cipriani

Assistant Director

Saskia, a proud alumna who earned her BA from Rutgers' Livingston College 04' (then) now Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences (SAS), and earned her Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from Rutgers Newark’s School of Public Affairs and Administration in 2010. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. Born in Puerto Rico and of Dominican and Asian descent, Saskia brings a rich cultural background to her work.

During her undergraduate years, she was deeply involved in campus life, serving in organizations such as the Latino Student Council (LSC) and the Latin American Student Organization (LASO). In the fall of 2001, she became a Lambda Theta Alpha (LTA) member and later co-founded the Latino Alumni Association of Rutgers University (LAARU).

Saskia is a dedicated advocate for underrepresented students, passionate about empowering student leaders, fostering community collaboration, and supporting diversity and inclusion. Since 2012, she has served as the assistant director of CLAC, where she first began as a work-study student and temporary administrator, cementing her lifelong commitment to her “home away from home.”

Ms. Silismar Suriel

Program Coordinator

Silismar graduated from Rutgers University in May 2003 with majors in Political Science and Puerto Rican and Hispanic Caribbean Studies. As an undergraduate she was involved in organizations like the Latino Student Council, the Latin American Women’s Organization, and the Pa’Lante People’s School of English. Silismar advises the Latino Student Council, Omega Phibeta Sorority Inc., LLEGO, LAWO, and Sociedad Estudiantil Dominicana.

Ms. Carla Ortiz

Administrative Assistant

Carla went to Penn State part-time from 1994 till 1998 and holds an associate degree in Liberal Arts. She was involved in Minority Student Union at Penn State. She began working at the Rutgers University – Mathematics Department in 1999 in the Undergraduate Office, then was promoted to the Graduate Office in 2003. She began as the secretary for the Center for Latino Arts and Culture on December 2005.