Student Affairs Staff Spotlights: Autumn 2024

Michael Maratas

Career Coach / Career Development & Education

Michael Maratas consistently brings a sense of joy and teamwork to Student Affairs, is an incredible partner bridging Career & Social Mobility with the VMRC, and has been an excellent supervisor for the Peer Career Coaches. He has implemented strong training programs, modeled a best practice of having student staff present about what they learned/gained from their positions at the end of the year, and he has served on several search committees across Student Affairs. Mike embodies a spirit of service for students, colleagues, and community both at UW Tacoma and outside of work. For example, he regularly participates in wellbeing awareness community events for military veterans. For the past two years, he has honored DJ Crisostomo’s family by participating in memory of Army 1st Sargent Jose Crisostomo, who was killed in a roadside blast in Afghanistan in 2009. This engagement is deeply appreciated by his colleagues, and positively impacts rapport among teams across Student Affairs.

Juanita Murillo-Garcia

Director / Veteran & Military Resource Center

Juanita Murillo-Garcia is the epitome of dedication and compassion in service to the UW Tacoma community. As the Director of the Veterans and Military Resource Center (VMRC), Juanita consistently goes above and beyond to support not only military-connected students but all members of our campus. Her leadership extends beyond the university, as she continues to serve her community through active involvement with her local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post. Whether managing large-scale events or quietly offering words of encouragement to a student in need, Juanita demonstrates an unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.

Juanita embodies the Student Affairs value of Empathy and Care. One shining example of this is her approach to addressing the needs of veteran students transitioning from military service to academia. She listens without judgment and often tailors solutions to their unique challenges and connects them with the resources they need to succeed. Beyond her official duties, Juanita’s efforts to create a sense of belonging ripple across the campus community. By supporting initiatives like the Sergeant Husky Turkey Drop and coordinating various workshops tailored toward the needs of UW Tacoma Military Connected Students, she ensures that every student feels supported in their journey, reflecting the mission of Student Affairs to inspire and empower students to achieve their goals.

Surtida Shelton

Director / Student Conduct & Advocacy

Surtida Shelton's leadership in relaunching the Pantry directly embodies the mission of Student Affairs to champion holistic learning and lifelong success for students. By prioritizing access to free, supplemental, nutritious, and culturally relevant food and essential supplies, Surtida (as the driving force behind this initiative) addresses students' basic needs, enabling them to focus on their academic and personal growth. This is a vital aspect of fostering holistic learning, as students' well-being is foundational to their ability to succeed.

Surtida’s vision and determination have guided the work of a dedicated yet short-staffed team of students and staff that has turned the Pantry into a key support system that directly contributes to student success. Surtida's leadership has cultivated a collaborative environment where students and staff work together to ensure that the Pantry is a robust and inclusive resource. From September 25 to November 27, the Pantry supported 1,721 student visits, with many students receiving additional guidance to access consistent aid through the Basic Needs Navigator. The successful relaunch of the Pantry not only reflects Surtida’s unwavering commitment to our students but also demonstrates her ability to lead with purpose and execute innovative solutions to address critical needs within our campus community. The Pantry team has created an environment ensuring that every student has the resources they need to thrive whether in the Pantry itself or through other Basic Needs support services. Congratulations to Surtida and the entire Pantry team for their remarkable impact and dedication to serving our students!