Mariela Aranda (she/they) is the Coordinator for the Latinx Cultural Center at DePaul University. In their role, Mariela aims to move the Cultural and Resource Centers to be a more inclusive space for students who hold identities that have been marginalized and minoritized. She works with student leaders and organizations to formulate on-campus resources and connect Latinx students and all DePaul students to Chicago-based resources, opportunities, organizations, community leaders and artists. Mariela is passionate about uplifting student voices and creations, and building systems of support for the DePaul community inspired by community systems of mutual aid.
Prior to OMSS, Mariela worked at educational bike shop and the Steans Center for Community-Based Service Learning & Community Service Studies. Outside of DePaul, they are a dancer and a member of an artist collective, and co-leads an open mic centering the arts and talents of artists of color.
Mariela earned her BA at Loyola University Chicago. They received a Masters of Public Affairs at The University of Texas-Austin.