Meet Our Staff

Jenna Martínez (she/her/hers) 
Director, LGBTQ+ Student Services
Division of Campus Engagement, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Phone: 216-687-2056 
Email: j.n.martinez@csuohio.edu

Jenna was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and made her way to Cleveland by way of New York City in 2020. Jenna was a first-gen student and is passionate about equity in education. She has worked in education for 15 years supporting first-gen and BIPOC communities in college success, social-emotional learning, and adult literacy. Jenna is a printmaker and writer. Her favorite places in Cleveland are The Roaming Biscuit, Zygote Press, the Julia de Burgos Center, and the Metroparks. She is thrilled to be leading LGBTQ+ Student Services. She also teaches yoga Wednesdays at 12 PM at the rec center. 

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Joey Dzingeleski (he/him/his)  
Graduate Assistant
Email: LGBTQ@csuohio.edu  

Joey is a grad student currently pursuing his Master's Degree in Adult, Professional, and Higher Education. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Cleveland State University. Joey is a member of the LGBTQ+ community himself and has a history of working with other students in a variety of college LGBTQ+ organizations. In fact, he is the current Vice President of CSU's Queer Student Alliance. Joey has a passion for giving back to the community by creating a safe, welcoming environment for all students. In his free time, Joey loves listening to music, playing musical instruments, going to concerts, and spending time with his friends, family, and pets.

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Cicily Burchett  (she/they)
Student Social Media Manager

Cicily is a native West Virginian and recently relocated to the Cleveland area to pursue her education as a first-year History Major accompanied by a religious studies minor here at CSU. Considering their rural background, Cicily is passionate about providing resources, education, and support to those in the LGBTQIA+ community, since she's familiar with the lack of resources in many areas. They hope to provide adequate care, aid, and time to those around them. She is also passionate about safe sex education and can often be seen volunteering for Planned Parenthood and their education department. Outside of the LGBTQ+ center, Cicily is often listening to true crime podcasts, baking, and hanging out with her cat, Jiji. 

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Ty Brown (she/they) 
Student Graphic Designer

Ty is a super senior majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in Marketing. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she is glad to be able to give back to the community by working at the center and making art for everyone to love. They enjoy making art (physical and digital), making memories with friends, and trying different food places. You can talk to them about anything and everything. 

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Ci'ara Faye Akers (she/her/hers) 
Student Program Assistant

Ci'ara also goes by Ci'Ci. She is a criminology and psychology major. She plans to work in the FBI after she graduates in 2025. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio all of her life and lives in the same house she home-schooled for about 10 years. College was a whole new experience for her, but she enjoys it. She has done so much with her time here like working in the CEDEI office as an intern, being H.Y.P.E Team's a Student Organization President, joining TRIO, learning peer education, and now a program assistant for the LGBTQ+ center. Ci'Ci loves the outdoors, the Cleveland Zoo, and photography. Her favorite time of year is Halloween. Ci'Ci is a very positive person and loves to smile. If you see her don't be afraid to say hello. She loves making new friends and starting conversations.  

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Kiara Moss (she/her/hers)
Student Office Assistant

Hi everyone! My name is Kiara, and I am a freshman here at CSU majoring in biology. My hobbies include reading and listening to music. Please feel free to come to me with any questions or to just chat. I am thrilled to be joining the team and cannot wait to meet you all! 

 

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G Formica (they/she)
Student Program Assistant 

G is a Cleveland native pursuing a degree in Non-Profit Administration and Women and Gender Studies. G has enjoyed experiences working in advocacy and is currently a CCYAN (Crohn's and Colitis Young Adult Network) Fellow. She has experience with organizing work reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and chronic illness advocacy work. You've might have seen G on or off campus as their alter ego, Dean Heartthrob(@dean.heartthrob). They advocate for breaking down stereotypes and challenging societal norms, as a genderqueer performer like Dean. G is committed and passionate about making CSU a more comforting and accepting place for all folks in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. 
 

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Dale Jackson (they/he)
Student Office Assistant

Dale is a transfer student and super-senior studying Computer Engineering with a minor in Computer Science and Math. They were raised in Cleveland and attended high school at John Marshall School of Engineering, where they also became a CCP student at Cleveland State. Upon finishing high school, he attended Columbia University, where he studied Computer Engineering until he moved back home during the pandemic. After leaving NYC, they decided to transfer back to CSU to continue pursuing their studies. You can find him getting involved in various different ways both on and off-campus, from participating in the Math Club, to being the Vice President of the QSA, to getting involved with various different political candidates and organizations. In their spare time, you can find them playing dungeons and dragons, attending drag shows, listening to music, or reading.
 

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Kara Tellaisha 
Inaugural Director, LGBTQ+ Student Services

Kara was the very first Director of LGBTQ+ Student Services. She is a native Clevelander and Cleveland State University alum. She graduated with her MBA in May 2023. She led countless efforts and policy changes to support CSU's LGBTQ+ students and their allies.