Your Team
Monica Hanna, M.Ed. | She/Her/Hers
Motivated. Monica is driven by creating spaces of community and belonging for BIPOC individuals. She helps others own their experiences and identities and feel confident in sharing their story. She goes to work every day with the goal of empowering women and BIPOC individuals to achieve their greatest potential.
Achiever. As a Jesuit educated Fordham alum, Monica graduated with a B.A. in Theology with a research focus on ethics and social justice work. Monica went on to earn a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Rutgers University. Monica has over 10 years of experience in leadership development, dialogue facilitation, and building programs based on needs assessment. Monica is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education at UCLA.
Educator. After earning her Masters, Monica began working at UCLA Residential Life in 2015, where she currently serves as an Interim Associate Director in Residential Life. Monica’s philosophy as an educator is centered around holistic outside-the-classroom learning. With students, she facilitates experiences for them to have “aha!” moments where they begin to realize the complexities around identity, privilege, and access. In her current role supervising professionals, she is focused on their leadership growth and development.
Facilitator. Monica is a seasoned dialogue facilitator and trainer. She has over eight years of experience in immersive learning programs, conflict management and resolution. She co-developed and instructs a UCLA class focused on exploring marginalized identities and how they impact impostor syndrome, which is commonly experienced by women and people of color.
Activist. Influenced by the values of Jesuit education, Monica served with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Phoenix, AZ. She worked as a Job Developer for Refugees at Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement and embodied the program’s values of community, spirituality, simple living, and social justice.
Mentor. As an Egyptian American immigrant, Monica spent years struggling with her identities and how they fit in the spaces she navigates every day. Monica understands the work that it takes to free ourselves of societal pressures in order to live authentically and honestly. Monica utilizes personal experience and research-driven methods in her work as a mentor and coach to students and young professionals.
Dreamer. Often found daydreaming about delicious eats and travel, Monica will go (very) long distances just for a great meal. Monica will never turn down an adventure, especially if it involves open water swimming with sharks!
Dr. Markeith Royster | He/Him/His
Purposed. Markeith’s WHY is to support individuals from underrepresented backgrounds find value in their authentic selves. Working to ensure that those who have been invisible, marginalized, and disregarded are empowered to truly SEE themselves and KNOW that they have boundless potential.
Scholar. A proud graduate of Norfolk State University; an HBCU in Norfolk, Va. Markeith Earned his B.S. in Applied Mathematics. While teaching full time, he earned a Masters’ of Education Curriculum and Instruction from Averett University in Danville Va. Lastly he moved across the country to become a Trojan at the University of Southern California. Earning his Doctorate Of Education in Educational Psychology. His research focused on stereotype threat and the role of Ethnic specific resources for Black students at Predominantly white institutions.
Educator. A lifelong educator with a passion rooted in access and retention, Markeith has experienced as an educator in K-12 and Higher Education settings. Beginning his career as a mathematics instructor at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk Va., he fell in love with college access. Throughout his time as a teacher he developed mentoring organizations, organized college tours and ensured his students were empowered with the awareness of opportunity. In higher education Markeith worked as the Director of Diversity and Equity for the USC graduate student government and currently works at UCLA Residential Life as a Community Director. His goal is to ensure that every student, regardless of their varying identities, has a genuine connection to their university and feels a sense of belonging.
Instructor. Markeith has instructed a number of different courses at UCLA. These courses ranging from a first year transition course for Black Scholars, co-Instructing a course on the Imposter Phenomenon to undergraduate students and teaching a course on Identity Development/Transition in the Masters’ of Student Affairs. All of the courses that he has taught have focused on empowering students to discover and take ownership of their WHY.
Creative. Music, art, and poetry serve as Markeith’s passion. A true believer that arts are essential to the soul and connection across difference. A collector of vinyls and lover of music, he can be found creating playlists that inspire dancing, smiles, and joy.
Authentic. Born and raised in PG County Maryland, Markeith has fully embraced his identities. As a first generation college bound, Black Man from the foster care system, he has mastered the art of identity integration and remains authentic everywhere he goes. Taking ownership and being vulnerable of his full narrative has allowed him to connect, inspire, and empower those with similar narratives. He hopes to inspire others to find happiness in their authenticity.
Connector. A lover of people, Markeith truly believes that every person’s narrative is special. He loves to laugh and simply connect with people from any walk of life. Fully aware that family extends beyond bloodlines, he also aims to inspire strangers to connect, build and grow from each other; while learning that we are all connected.