Christianne I. Medrano is a graduate of the University of Florida with a BA in English & Secondary Education, and her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration. She is a sister of Gamma Eta Sorority, having served three terms as National President and three terms as Director of Expansion. She has been a very active volunteer in Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors (AFA), having served as a conference presenter, volunteer, an author and editor of the NMGC Resource Guide for Campus Professionals, and other AFA Publications. She has served as the site coordinator for the Interfraternity Institute (IFI) in 2010, 2011, and 2012 and is a graduate of the 2007 class.

Honors includes the New Professional of Year Award for the Central Region of the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) and the Rising Star New Professional of Region IV-W of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). She has also served as an institute facilitator for various student leadership development programs including:  LeaderShape, Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI), and the NACA Programming Basics Institute.

Currently, Chris works as the advisor for the Multi-Cultural Greek Council (MCGC) and is a Leadership Instructor and facilitator for LEAD IU. She is pursuing her PhD in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Her dissertation focuses on “The Influence of Latino/a Fraternities and Sororities on Undocumented Members”, combining both her research interest areas: Fraternity/Sorority life and (undocumented) Latino students. Chris is currently serving a second term on the NMGC Executive Board having served as Secretary in the 2007-2009 Administration.

Mariel Pagán is an enchanting mermaid/sister of Lambda Tau Omega Sorority, Inc. Mariel earned her B.S in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University and went on to earn a M.A. in Counseling Service with a concentration in Higher Education from Rider University. Currently, Mariel serves as the Assistant Dean of Students for Student Activities at Seton Hall University.

Mariel’s past experience includes serving as National President for Lambda Tau Omega from  2005-2007 and as the NMGC University Liaison in the 2007-2009 administration. Within her role as the Vice-President of the National Multicultural Greek Council, Mariel hopes to improve and develop the educational and social programming that is provided by the council to support its member organizations.

Natalia Tapia is a member of Omega Phi Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.  initiated in 1997. Natalia is honored and feels privileged to serve as the National Multicultural Greek Council’s Treasurer for the 2011-2013 term.

Natalia has worked closely with NMGC since 2004 and began as her organization’s member representative.  In 2009 she was nominated and elected as the NMGC’s University Liaison and worked closely in restructuring and organizing the Council into its next phase of growth.

Natalia looks forward to what these next two years will bring and in working towards the further advancement of the NMGC and its member organizations.

James, who is originally from New Jersey, graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice, from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City.  He has been a brother of Psi Sigma Phi Multicultural Fraternity Incorporated since the summer of 2005.  As a brother of PSP he has had the opportunity to learn, and lead within various areas of the organization’s leadership including National Executive Board President from 2008-2009. James currently works in the Behavioral Healthcare field as a Mental Health Technician and as an Intensive Outpatient Counselor.

While pursuing his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University and working full-time, James Waiters has decided to make the commitment of joining the leadership of the Executive Council for the National Multicultural Greek Council.  His main goals include: improving accessibility to educational resources for NMGC members, increasing organization, addressing NMGC infrastructure challenges, and improving awareness of and encouraging collaboration between fellow member organizations.

Lana Johnson is a member of Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc. Initiated in 2006, Lana quickly rose to a position of leadership amongst her peers within the organization, serving on the National Executive Board of Directors, first as a Regional Representative, then as the Southwestern Regional Director, and now as the National Secretary. Lana is  proud to be the 2011-2013 University Liaison and during her term, she intends to begin the laborious process of localizing the NMGC. Lana’s main goal is to begin working with the undergraduate and graduate/professional/alumni groups of all the NMGC members around the nation, as well as University Administrators to form local NMGC chapters .

The NMGC, on a local level will provide a forum for dialogue, participation and interaction among its members; and the chapters will serve as a clearinghouse for information sanctioned by the National NMGC. Furthermore, having a local council where alumni and professional  members are able to continue to further the mission of multicultural organizations will encourage continued participation and longevity for active members of our respective fraternal organizations, well past the undergraduate years.

Lana adds, “Where there are three, there will be NMGC!”

Maya George, a Brooklyn native with Caribbean roots, is a member of Delta Sigma Chi Sorority, Inc. and is no stranger to the National Multicultural Greek Council. Originally an organizational rep, Maya’s enthusiasm and interest in the council grew to pursue an Executive role.

Maya has many years of professional experience within public relations, risk management as well as marketing. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Finance and is currently pursuing her Master’s in International Business & Finance.

Elected for a second term, Maya plans to continue transitioning her creativity and experience into her role which will provide the strategic and tactical leadership critical to gaining positive public relations and exposure within NMGC.