People

Dr. Amaris Matos holds the inaugural position of Assistant Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Queensborough Community College-City University of New York. In this role, she leads the development and implementation of an institutional framework for equity. Dr. Matos is particularly focused on connecting Queensborough's efforts to address racial disparities with national organizations in the field. Additionally, she serves as the Senior Diversity Officer, overseeing the College's equal employment opportunity and affirmative action efforts

As a founding member of the Queensborough Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Campus Center (TRHT), Dr. Matos is dedicated to transforming the institutional culture through platforms that encourage engagement and dialogue across differences.

Dr. Matos began her college career at Wesleyan University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government. She furthered her education with a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Santa Barbara College for Oriental Medicine, a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College, and a doctorate in Leadership for Educational Equity from the University of Colorado, Denver.

Yessenia Garcia serves as the Diversity Program Manager in the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (OEIB). Ms. Garcia earned an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Deaf Studies at LaGuardia Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Queens College. Ms. Garcia joined Queensborough Community College in 2014 as a CUNY Office Assistant in OEIB and became the Administrative Coordinator in 2017. Ms. Garcia hopes to continue to advance her career within CUNY in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Ms. Pope-Ragoonanan is a dedicated legal professional from Queens, NY with an unwavering commitment to public service and social justice. She earned her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law and her Bachelor's degree from SUNY New Paltz.

Ms. Pope-Ragoonanan began her career working with non-governmental organizations in Turkey, where she examined their growth against the backdrop of Turkish politics and provided direct assistance to refugees from the Syrian War. While in law school, she passionately advocated for victims of systemic torture, worked with immigrant detainees and visa recipients, researched drug companies' compliance to generic drug manufacturing regulations, and interned with The Sonia and Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program.

She launched her legal career as an attorney at Central Jersey Legal Services, where she successfully litigated residential eviction cases, assisted clients in obtaining Chapter 13 bankruptcies, and fought for government entitlements on behalf of her clients. Following this role, Ms. Pope-Ragoonanan served as a Family Law Clerk to the Honorable Nadia Kahf, J.S.C., where she worked closely with families navigating complex issues such as child custody, support, divorce, and domestic violence.

In 2024, she joined Queensborough Community College as the Diversity Compliance Manager, furthering her commitment to equity and inclusion within educational environments.

Ms. Pope-Ragoonanan is actively engaged in community service, participating in initiatives that combat gender-based violence and promote civic engagement. Her passion for making a positive impact in her community drives her work and advocacy efforts.

Ms. Delgado is a native New Yorker, proud daughter to Puerto Rican parents and a first generation college student. Ms. Delgado earned her bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Touro Law Center. While in law school, Ms. Delgado was an editor for Touro’s International Law Review. She was also a teaching assistant in Contracts and Criminal Law for Touro’s Legal Education Access Program (LEAP), which is dedicated to building equity and access for students who are underrepresented in the legal field.

While earning her law degree, Ms. Delgado developed a strong sense of commitment to public interest law and  began her legal career as a Bronx County Assistant District Attorney where, for over six years, she prosecuted criminal cases. Ms. Delgado then served as an attorney for the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). During her ten-year tenure at the FDNY, she zealously represented the Department in numerous legal matters, to further its mission of protecting the lives and property of New York City residents and visitors. In 2017, Ms. Delgado joined Queensborough Community College as the Title IX Coordinator. As the Title IX Coordinator, she has special training in helping students, faculty, and staff who are facing issues related to sexual harassment and assault.

Ms. Delgado is admitted to the New York State Bar and a member of the Puerto Rican Bar Association. She enjoys serving her community by providing free legal services to indigent individuals. She has also volunteered as a mentor to runaway adolescents, as a foster pet-parent for an animal rescue organization, and as a member of a mission team that traveled to Brazil to build a church for an underprivileged community and congregation in the Amazon Rainforest. 

Ms. December is a John Jay College graduate who served New York City for over 20 years as an employee with the Department of Investigation. Following her years of service with the Department of Investigation, Ms. December's joined Queensborough Community College and provides support for the Title IX Office. Ms. December is grateful for her CUNY education and is committed to giving back by providing committed service to Queensborough's faculty, staff and students.

Ms. December holds certificates in Citizen Preparedness CORPS/NY State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency services and Mental Health First Aid USA. Additionally, she is an active member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and an Interest Group Member with the National Council for Behavioral Health.