Meet the Staff
Kay Wong (they/them) is a queer, mixed race, passionate, and genuine individual born
and raised in Southern California. They attended Colorado State University for their
Bachelors in Communication Studies and the University of Connecticut for their Masters
in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Using an anti-racist, queer, intersectional
feminist lens, they have a variety of professional experiences, including serving
as the San Diego State University Pride Center Coordinator and Assistant Director
prior to their current role. Outside of work, Kay can be seen laughing outdoors, engaging
in joyful movement such as hiking, yoga, rollerblading, and dancing. Kay also competitively
runs and paddles on a dragon boat team. To slow down, Kay enjoys cooking, reading,
writing, playing bananagrams, caring for their plants, and talking about pink iguanas.
Amanda Beardsley, Ph.D.
Cayleff & Sakai Faculty Scholar
Pronouns: she/her/hers
[email protected]
Dr. Beardsley received her Ph.D. in Art History from Binghamton University in 2019
and is a lecturer in Women’s Studies at San Diego State University. Her interdisciplinary
research, alongside her passion for teaching and mentorship, has led her to develop
courses on gender, science, and religion; the art of medicine; feminist media theory
and activism; sound studies; and art history. She has published articles in Technology and Culture and Nineteenth Century Studies that address the gendered implications of architectural acoustics and visual media
within American religion, and is in the process of co-editing a forthcoming anthology
on Latter-Day Saint art with Oxford University Press. Amanda is a fan of cats, sci-fi,
and the beach.
Originally from the Bay Area, Morgan earned her Bachelors in Sociology with a Gender
Studies minor from UCLA and made San Diego home in 2022. She has worked in various
student-focused roles and is passionate about creating a safe and inclusive environment
for students while striving to be the queer representation she wished that she had
when she was younger. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities with her dog
Parker, getting lost in a good book, and being in community with her chosen family.
Allison, M.S., PPS
Assistant Coordinator
Pronouns: they/them/theirs
[email protected]
Allison appreciates meaningful time spent with chosen family, including their two
cats Marceline and Peridot. They also enjoy hiking, any kind of body of water, playing
games, rollerblading, traveling, exploring new places, cooking and eating food, and
watching TV shows. Allison graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in
Psychology and minors in Child Development, Women’s & Gender Studies, and Ethnic Studies,
and from SDSU with an M.S. in Counseling and an emphasis in School Counseling. They
have a number of passions, including advocating for the rights of K-12 students, making
the high school to college transition more accessible, breaking down the sex binary,
educating about comprehensive sexual health education, and drawing attention to the
long history of queerness prior to colonization.
Meet the Student Staff Members
Amia
Pronouns: they/she
Position: Pride Center Educator
Amia is an autistic non-binary lesbian and a third-year LGBTQ+ Studies major. This
is their second year working as a Pride Center Educator. They are excited to keep
fostering a safe space and community for 2SLGBTQIA+ students at The Pride Center,
as well as to meet more queer people. Outside of work, they enjoy cosplaying, drawing,
gyaru fashion and makeup, listening to Kenshi Yonezu, and rewatching Cowboy Bebop.
Bianca Ibarra-Olalde
Pronouns: she/her
Position: Pride House Mentor
Bianca is a third year Theatre major with a performance emphasis. This will be her
second year working both as a Pride House Mentor and at The Pride Center. She is looking
forward to continuing the Pride Center’s goal of creating an inclusive and safe space
for 2SLGBTQIA+ students from all walks of life as well as meeting new people within
the community. Bianca is a huge Chappell Roan, Muna, and Kpop fan as well as a Dimension20
and Dr. Who watcher.
Emilia
Pronouns: she/they
Position: Pride Center Educator
Emilia is a third year Psychology and LGBTQ+ Studies major studying to become an LGBT-affirming
therapist. She is very passionate about women's rights and LGBTQ rights. She is a
proud lesbian and enjoys connecting with her community. Outside of studies, she loves
meeting fellow queer people and talking about identity as well as interest/fandoms
people are in.
Erin
Pronouns: she/her
Position: Pride Center Educator
Erin is a transfer student to SDSU, double majoring in Anthropology and Sociology.
This is her last year at SDSU, but her first year working as a Pride Center Educator.
She hopes to create more opportunities for commuter students and transfer students
to get involved on campus, both at The Pride Center and as the President of both the
Association of Anthropology Students and Sociology Club. She is also very passionate
about undergraduate research, especially on queerness. Outside of that, Erin loves
to bake, hang out at Ocean Beach, read manga, watch horror movies, and play video
games; she’s currently trying to 100% Bloodborne!
Grim
Pronouns: they/she/he
Position: Pride House Mentor
Grim is a recent Sociology and Anthropology transfer to SDSU. They intend to pursue
a career in research, focusing on international and cross-cultural studies within
their fields of interest. As of fall 2025, they will be one of the fellows within
the Mundt Peace Scholarship program, associated with the Peace Corps Program on campus.
Their research and coursework thus far has focused on issues pertaining to public
health, gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, immigration, and addiction.
Jasmine
Pronouns: any pronouns
Position: Pride Center Educator
Jasmine is a queer Vietnamese and Irish American student at SDSU in their sophomore
year. They are currently completing their Bachelor's of Science in Chemistry, and
double minoring in Television, Film and New Media, as well as Honors Interdisciplinary
Studies under the Weber Honors College. They are interested in potentially triple
majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Psychology, and are completing prerequisites.
Outside of school and their work at The Pride Center, they can be found at the rides
at SeaWorld San Diego (both as a staff member and a guest), volunteering somewhere,
reading young adult fiction novels, or playing video games.
Miles
Pronouns: they/them
Position: Pride House Mentor
Miles is a third year Art major with an emphasis in Graphic Design. This will be their
second year working with The Price Center as a Mentor. They are passionate about creating
a safe space for Queer People of Color and Trans People of Color. In their free time,
Miles enjoys playing video games, hanging out with friends, listening to music, and
binge-watching shows.
Wren
Pronouns: he/they
Position: Pride House Mentor
Wren is a second year Mechanical Engineering major, and this is his first year working
with The Pride Center. They are passionate about supporting and welcoming new 2SLGBTQIA+
students, especially if they are in majors that are historically not inclusive. He's
involved in theatre, including costume designing for student clubs, and he's a member
of the Alpha Omega Epsilon sorority. Their interests include sewing, jewelry making,
photography, graphic design, and math.
Yezi
Prounouns: they/she
Position: Pride House Mentor
Yezi is a second year Spanish and Linguistics major. Originally born in Los Angeles,
CA but raised in Tijuana, B.C., Yezi has grown passionate about fostering positive
environments for all 2SLGBTQIA+ and ethnic minorities to be able to express their
identities. Though this will be their first year working at The Pride Center, it will
be their second year under the Pride House Program. As a Pride House Mentor, Yezi
hopes to be able to help others navigate through college just as they have helped
her.
Harper Rowan
Pronouns: she/her
Position: Graduate Student: Pride House Lead
Harper Rowan is a second-year graduate student in the Women, Gender, and Sexuality
Studies department. After receiving a Bachelor's in Secondary Education, English and
a minor in Queer Studies from Northern Arizona University, she worked as a middle
school English teacher for two years. In and out of the classroom, she is always dedicated
to education and community. In her free time, she is likely reading, spending time
with loved ones or engrossed in languages.
Jada
Pronouns: she/her
Position: Graduate Student: SafeZones Lead
Jada is in her first year of the Feminist Studies Master's program. Jada received
her undergraduate degree in Urban Studies and a minor in Africana Studies. She was
born and raised in North Carolina. Her passion for academia is rooted in the belief
that knowledge (of one's self) is power and that this knowledge should be accessible.
Academically she is interested is in the dissemination of Black Queer stories. Outside
of school Jada loves to do all thing creative, go on walks, and talk with her loved
ones.
Spencer
Prounouns: he/him
Position: Pride House Mentor
Spencer is a third year Theater Arts Design and Technology major who is so happy to
be here! This is his first year working for The Pride Center as a Pride House Mentor.
He loves supporting and educating young members of the queer community. His hope is
to make a safe space where 2SLGBTQIA+ students can feel at home and make friends.
In his off time, Spencer also loves hiking, playing video games, and painting.
Wren
Pronouns: he/him
Position: Pride Center Educator
Wren is a fourth year student double majoring in Television, Film, and New Media:
Production and LGBTQ+ Studies. This is his third year working at The Pride Center,
and his first in the role as a Pride Center Educator. In his work, Wren is very passionate
about providing support and community for queer and trans folks on campus. In his
free time, Wren enjoys crafting, crocheting, drawing, and playing guitar!
