{"id":9676,"date":"2025-01-27T11:25:21","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T19:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/?page_id=9676"},"modified":"2025-01-27T14:34:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T22:34:42","slug":"pride-center-staff","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/pride-center-staff\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Pride Center Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"<style><\/style><div class=\"staff-member-listing \"><div class=\"staff-member even clearfix\">\r\n<div class=\"staff-member-row\">\r\n <div class=\"staff-member-image-container\">\r\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"staff-member-photo staff-member-image-responsive-wide\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/2025\/08\/Lewison_Headshot_2025.jpg?fit=1166%2C1599&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"AJ Lewison (they\/she) : Clinician, Behavioral Health Counseling Services - Pride Center\">\r\n <\/div>\r\n <div class=\"staff-member-info-wrap staff-member-info-container \">\r\n        <h3 class=\"staff-member-name\">AJ Lewison (they\/she)<\/h3>\r\n        <h4 class=\"staff-member-position\">Clinician, Behavioral Health Counseling Services - Pride Center<\/h4>\r\n        <div class=\"staff-member-bio\"><p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">AJ has a BA in Communications from UC San Diego and received a master\u2019s degree in Social Work at Cal State San Marcos. AJ is passionate about counseling, social justice, and intersectionality. Additional social work experience includes private group practice with an emphasis in LGBTQIA+ clientele. Historical roles include TAY clinician at Community Research Foundation and case management at both the Community Resource Center\u2019s Domestic Violence Program, and the Postpartum Health Alliance. AJ is currently the BHCS liaison to the Palomar Pride Center.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n        <hr>\r\n       <h4 class=\"contact-info\">Contact Information<\/h4>\r\n       <span class=\"member-location\"><strong>Location<\/strong>: SU-17B (Wednesdays Only)<\/span>\r\n       <span class=\"member-email\"><strong>Email<\/strong>: <a class=\"staff-member-email\" href=\"mailto:&#097;&#108;&#101;&#119;&#105;s&#111;n&#064;p&#097;&#108;&#111;m&#097;r.ed&#117;\" title=\"Email AJ Lewison (they\/she)\">&#097;l&#101;w&#105;so&#110;&#064;p&#097;&#108;o&#109;&#097;&#114;&#046;ed&#117;<\/a><\/span>\r\n       <span class=\"member-phone\"><strong>Phone<\/strong>: (760) 744-1150 ext 2871<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div> <!-- Close staff-member --><div class=\"staff-member odd clearfix\">\r\n<div class=\"staff-member-row\">\r\n <div class=\"staff-member-image-container\">\r\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"staff-member-photo staff-member-image-responsive-wide\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/2025\/01\/waterfall-kauai-rotated.jpg?fit=240%2C320&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Dr. Ben Mudgett (he\/him) : Faculty Pride Center Coordinator\">\r\n <\/div>\r\n <div class=\"staff-member-info-wrap staff-member-info-container \">\r\n        <h3 class=\"staff-member-name\">Dr. Ben Mudgett (he\/him)<\/h3>\r\n        <h4 class=\"staff-member-position\">Faculty Pride Center Coordinator<\/h4>\r\n        <div class=\"staff-member-bio\"><p>I am a cisgender White queer and gay man, husband, father, professor, queer activist, and antiracist equity practitioner serving as a professor in the California community colleges. As a queer activist, I stand in solidarity with the queer community to uplift our voices and experiences in challenging the dominant discourse that places marginalized groups into subjectivities that are defined by dominant master narratives known as \u201ctruths.\u201d I challenge these false discursive narratives to create new truths and new knowledge. I imagine new languages, symbols, and ways of being. I see our identities as a collective united front in solidarity to end discursive oppression.<\/p>\n<p>My research interests include how LGBTQ students are influenced by college spaces and how those spaces help shape their multiple intersecting identities. I dedicated my dissertation to understanding and uplifting the lived experiences of queer Latino men in California community colleges and how colleges play a role in activating their salient identities. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, running, the ocean, food, the gym, and binge worthy television.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n        <hr>\r\n       <h4 class=\"contact-info\">Contact Information<\/h4>\r\n       <span class=\"member-location\"><strong>Location<\/strong>: N\/A<\/span>\r\n       <span class=\"member-email\"><strong>Email<\/strong>: <a class=\"staff-member-email\" href=\"mailto:b&#109;udge&#116;t&#064;&#112;al&#111;mar.&#101;&#100;u\" title=\"Email Dr. Ben Mudgett (he\/him)\">bm&#117;&#100;gett&#064;&#112;&#097;l&#111;&#109;&#097;r&#046;ed&#117;<\/a><\/span>\r\n       <span class=\"member-phone\"><strong>Phone<\/strong>: (760) 744-1150 ext. 2737<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div> <!-- Close staff-member --><div class=\"staff-member even clearfix\">\r\n<div class=\"staff-member-row\">\r\n <div class=\"staff-member-image-container\">\r\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"staff-member-photo staff-member-image-responsive-wide\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/2025\/08\/Kimi-e1784054636951.jpg?fit=386%2C519&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Kimi Rodriguez-McSwain (she\/her\/ella) : Academic Counselor - Pride Center\">\r\n <\/div>\r\n <div class=\"staff-member-info-wrap staff-member-info-container \">\r\n        <h3 class=\"staff-member-name\">Kimi Rodriguez-McSwain (she\/her\/ella)<\/h3>\r\n        <h4 class=\"staff-member-position\">Academic Counselor - Pride Center<\/h4>\r\n        <div class=\"staff-member-bio\"><p>Kimi Rodriguez-McSwain graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor's degree in Communication and a master's degree in Multi-Cultural Counseling and Social Justice. Kimi has two associate degrees from San Diego City College, was a transfer student and product of the community colleges. She wants everyone to know that Palomar College and the Palomar College Pride Center \"is the best place to be to begin your journey or to re-start your journey.\" Kimi is happy to help guide you in your path!<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n        <hr>\r\n       <h4 class=\"contact-info\">Contact Information<\/h4>\r\n       <span class=\"member-location\"><strong>Location<\/strong>: SU-17B (Tuesdays Only)<\/span>\r\n       <span class=\"member-email\"><strong>Email<\/strong>: <a class=\"staff-member-email\" href=\"mailto:k&#109;cswa&#105;n&#064;p&#097;&#108;&#111;&#109;&#097;&#114;&#046;&#101;&#100;&#117;\" title=\"Email Kimi Rodriguez-McSwain (she\/her\/ella)\">k&#109;&#099;&#115;w&#097;in&#064;palo&#109;&#097;r.&#101;d&#117;<\/a><\/span>\r\n       <span class=\"member-phone\"><strong>Phone<\/strong>: (760) 744-1150 ext. 5634<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div> <!-- Close staff-member --><div class=\"staff-member odd clearfix last\">\r\n<div class=\"staff-member-row\">\r\n <div class=\"staff-member-image-container\">\r\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"staff-member-photo staff-member-image-responsive-wide\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/2025\/08\/gentry-headshot-edited-2-scaled-e1764107791406.jpg?fit=1293%2C1438&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Lene Reynolds (they\/them) : Pride Center Coordinator\">\r\n <\/div>\r\n <div class=\"staff-member-info-wrap staff-member-info-container \">\r\n        <h3 class=\"staff-member-name\">Lene Reynolds (they\/them)<\/h3>\r\n        <h4 class=\"staff-member-position\">Pride Center Coordinator<\/h4>\r\n        <div class=\"staff-member-bio\"><div class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Lene Reynolds (they\/them) [pronounced like \"Lean\" in \"Lean on Me\"]\u00a0 is a passionate student affairs scholar and practitioner, with expertise in assessment, 2LGBTQIA+ peer mentoring, and student leadership development.\u00a0 Lene earned their M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Connecticut, and their B.A. in Sociology and LGBTQ Studies from UCLA. They were raised on lands belonging to the Gabrielino Tongva, Cahuilla, and Luise\u00f1o nations, now known as Riverside, CA.<\/div>\n<div data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Lene's student affairs journey began at UCLA, and continued at other institutions such as Trinity College, Santa Monica College, and the University of Connecticut. Lene has contributed research on promising practices in critical assessment in student affairs, as well as anti-carceral student affairs praxis, which they have shared at conferences across the country. They also serve as the Research and Scholarship Chair on the board of the ACPA Coalition for Fat Identities.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\">Outside of the field of education, Lene previously worked professionally in public health, coordinating Health Education initiatives for the L.A. County Department of Public Health's Division of HIV and STD Programs. In their personal life, Lene is passionate about LGBTQIA+ representation in media and has led discussion groups, written articles, and guested on podcasts and panels on the subject (i.e. they're a big ol' nerd!).\u00a0 They're also a cat parent, partner, and sports fan.<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n        <hr>\r\n       <h4 class=\"contact-info\">Contact Information<\/h4>\r\n       <span class=\"member-location\"><strong>Location<\/strong>: SU-17C<\/span>\r\n       <span class=\"member-email\"><strong>Email<\/strong>: <a class=\"staff-member-email\" href=\"mailto:&#108;&#114;ey&#110;olds&#064;&#112;&#097;l&#111;m&#097;&#114;.e&#100;&#117;\" title=\"Email Lene Reynolds (they\/them)\">&#108;reyn&#111;&#108;&#100;s&#064;pa&#108;&#111;&#109;a&#114;&#046;&#101;du<\/a><\/span>\r\n       <span class=\"member-phone\"><strong>Phone<\/strong>: (760) 744-1150 ext. 3577<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div> <!-- Close staff-member --><\/div> <!-- Close staff-member-listing -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":10010,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9676","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/PazZnn-2w4","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/","url_meta":{"origin":9676,"position":0},"title":"Welcome to the Palomar Pride Center, You Belong Here!","author":"Abbie Cory","date":"October 19, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The Palomar College Pride Center is a welcoming space where LGBTQ students and allies are empowered to reach their personal, academic, and career goals. We honor each individual\u2019s intersecting identities through educational and culturally responsive services, advocacy, and community connections. Together, we rise in unity and strength.\u00a0 We envision Palomar\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"Members of the Pride Center Committee to Combat Hate hold up a progress pride flag together","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/2025\/11\/1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/2025\/11\/1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/2025\/11\/1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/2025\/11\/1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/2025\/11\/1.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48,"url":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/index\/history-of-the-pride-center\/","url_meta":{"origin":9676,"position":1},"title":"History of the Pride Center","author":"Abbie Cory","date":"February 8, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Last updated in 2023. In the years around 2000-2009, Palomar College was not a very welcoming place for LGBTQ folks. When the current Pride Center Director arrived on campus in 2006, it was rare to see any identifiably gay students and even more rare to see any same-sex couples. Many\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/2016\/10\/TDOR.jpg?fit=500%2C333&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10714,"url":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/statement-of-solidarity-for-our-trans-and-trans-immigrant-communities\/","url_meta":{"origin":9676,"position":2},"title":"Statement of Solidarity Transgender &amp; LGBTQ Immigrant Communities","author":"Mudgett, Benjamin J.","date":"August 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Pride Center to Combat Hate Statement of Solidarity: Transgender & LGBTQ Immigrant Community Statement of Solidarity The Palomar College Pride LGBTQ Resource Center stands in solidarity with our transgender and gender non-conforming immigrant siblings. We recognize the importance of living our true authentic self and we celebrate the intersecting identities\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":452,"url":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/index\/resources\/steps-legally-reflecting-your-name-gender-identity\/","url_meta":{"origin":9676,"position":3},"title":"Steps to Legally Change your Name and Gender Identity","author":"Alana Lewis","date":"April 23, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"In California, you can ask the court for an order recognizing your gender marker change and changing your legal name. To do this, file a petition with the court and get a decree. The process takes up to 2 months. We have listed and linked resources that are helpful in\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":302,"url":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/index\/pride-center-solidarity-statement-with-black-lives-matter\/","url_meta":{"origin":9676,"position":4},"title":"Statement of Solidarity Black Lives Matter","author":"Alana Lewis","date":"November 16, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"\"In a racist society it is not enough not to be racist. It is necessary to be anti-racist.\" - Angela Davis Palomar College\u2019s Pride Center has been a source of support and community for marginalized people since its inception in 2010. The Center was born out of a community need\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":583,"url":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/index\/resources\/student-name-change-form\/","url_meta":{"origin":9676,"position":5},"title":"Student Name Change in MyPalomar","author":"","date":"February 2, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Students can now change their Preferred\/Lived name on their MyPalomar Site! Complete the Student Data Change Form (a downloadable PDF), and submit to admissions@palomar.edu. Please contact the Pride Center at pride@palomar.edu if you have questions about the form or this process. Student-Data-Change-Form21-1-2Download Tutorial Coming Soon! Updates and changes in works!","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10010"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9676"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9676\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9699,"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9676\/revisions\/9699"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/pridecenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}