MEET OUR TEAM

Naomi Boase

Director, Center for Intercultural Engagement

Originally from Grand Rapids, MI, Naomi started working in the CIE-SJRC July of 2019. Through the work of the CIE-SJRC, she hopes that, every day, more students, staff, and faculty will feel they can show up authentically as they are, wherever they are. She believes the CIE-SJRC is a place where all people, herself included, can seek wholeness and healing through liberatory learning.

Naomi comes from a background in humanitarian aid and international development. She previously worked in the Levant where she managed psychosocial projects in the north of Jordan, which focused on identity and relational development with refugee populations. Naomi holds a Bachelor of Arts from Taylor University in International Studies (Middle East Studies) and a Master of Science from SOAS, University of London, in Violence, Conflict and Development.

Ashley Armand

Assistant Director, Center for Intercultural Engagement

Ashley started working at the CIE-SJRC after pursuing careers in academic advising and public policy. She is passionate about centering our experiences and narratives as a catalyst for growth and engagement. Ashley hopes that the collective Northeastern community feels encouraged to present in ways that fulfill their highest good. She also hopes that all of us, in collaboration, can continue to move through the rhythms of life’s currents with joy, laughter, and intentional learning.

 
Ashley believes in the power of storytelling and the revolutionary commitment we should all have to cultivate tranquility— in all the ways this shows up for us in our lives, even in uncertainty.

Ashley comes from a background in research, public policy, and technology. She previously operated in the nonprofit sector for several years— predominantly in the immigration sector. She’s also worked on research projects centered on social capital and surveillance. Ashley holds a Master of Science in Public Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology minoring in Theoretical and Applied Ethics.

Erick Yanzon

Assistant Director, Social Justice Resource Center

Erick Yanzon is a first-generation queer immigrant from Caloocan City, Philippines. They recently moved from the traditional lands of the Coast Salish and Duwamish peoples in Seattle, Washington. Erick received their Master of Education in Student Development Administration at Seattle University and their Bachelor of Arts in American Cultural Studies and Sociology at Western Washington University.

Their passion as an educator stem from their experiences in student activism, community organizing, and coalition building. Erick has been involved in numerous regional and national Filipinx organizations, and has a lot of experience in large-scale programming, curriculum development, and facilitation.

In their free time, Erick enjoys binging TV shows, reading, and jamming to R&B and Pop music. Their top love language is physical touch (they are always down for a nice warm hug!) and cooking and sharing meals with others. Erick is a Scorpio sun and moon, and loves connecting with people over astrology. They are also an aspiring writer and storyteller.

Dani Rodriguez

Program Manager, Social Justice Resource Center & Center For Intercultural Engagement

Born in Venezuela and raised in Texas, Dani has always been surrounded by diverse cultures, identities, and individuals. She earned her Bachelor of the Arts degree in Political Science and International Affairs (NU’21) and is completing her Master of Science in Security and Resilience Studies (NU’22).

She is passionate about exploring how intersectional identities and intercultural opportunities can foster community-based resiliency. As such, Dani strives to continually inform decisions, programming, engagement, and herself from multiple perspectives, working to ensure that all members of the community are heard, represented, and supported. Other passions and interests for Dani include systems of education, systems of inequity and inequality, and art as a tool for expression (particularly painting, the written word, and music).

A person with dark curly hair and glasses sits smiling on brick stairs surrounded by vines.

SALTER SCHARSTEIN

Program Manager, Center for Intercultural Engagement

 
Salter has a history of working in higher education, community organizing, and youth development work. Their passions for grassroots community organizing, facilitation, and justice- and equity-focused work were born out of their experiences learning and working within local and regional grassroots anti-racist and queer liberation movement spaces in the U.S. South. Their socialization into anti-oppressive equity work provided the foundation for them to collaboratively establish and develop a need-based grants program for trans and gender non-conforming people in South Carolina, as well as to become involved in supporting LGBTQIA2S+ young people.
 
Knowing that liberatory growth, learning, healing, and change is most possible in community, they are equal parts excited and grateful to have the opportunity to work as a member of a justice- and equity-focused team that centers relationships and fosters access to experiences of belonging. Currently, Salter finds joy and inspiration in disco dance parties, loud laughter, moments of connection and compassion, savory snacks, and the writing of bell hooks, Lama Rod Owens, and Lou Sullivan.
 

Hamidou SYLLA

Program Manager, Center For Intercultural Engagement & Center for Spirituality & Dialogue

Hamidou Sylla (Hammi) grew up in the Bronx, NY but is originally from Guinea Conakry. He studied Political Science and Francophone Studies at St. Lawrence University (SLU ’21); where he was involved in many areas around campus life. He is currently pursuing his Master of Public Policy at Northeastern University’s School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs (NU ’22).

Hammi is excited to interact and work with fellow students and colleagues. He is passionate about building community across differences and ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive. In his free time, you can catch him working on his talk show (Let’s Just Talk! With Hammi) which you can find on Instagram and YouTube. Through joy, knowledge, and experience, he seeks to bring communities together. He is passionate about issues of race, equity, and justice, and enjoys the arts (Slam Poetry, Theater, and Comedy). He is eager to assist CSL and student initiatives in whatever way he can.