People

Queensborough’s dedication to equity, inclusion, and belonging is supported by community members from all corners of our campus. The Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging serves as a central hub, linking campus leaders and initiatives committed to advancing these values and strengthening our shared sense of belonging.

There are a variety of pathways for engagement and participation. For information on how you can get involved and make an impact, please reach out to our office staff. We look forward to partnering with you in this important work.

Office of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Staff

Amaris Matos

Assistant Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

AMatos@qcc.cuny.edu

Dr. Amaris Matos holds the inaugural position of Assistant Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Queensborough Community College-City University of New York. In this role, she leads the development and implementation of an institutional framework for equity. Dr. Matos is particularly focused on connecting Queensborough's efforts to address racial disparities with national organizations in the field. Additionally, she serves as the Senior Diversity Officer, overseeing the College's equal employment opportunity and affirmative action efforts

As a founding member of the Queensborough Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Campus Center (TRHT), Dr. Matos is dedicated to transforming the institutional culture through platforms that encourage engagement and dialogue across differences.

Dr. Matos began her college career at Wesleyan University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government. She furthered her education with a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Santa Barbara College for Oriental Medicine, a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College, and a doctorate in Leadership for Educational Equity from the University of Colorado, Denver.

Eduardo Fontaine

Director of Investigations and Community Learning

eduardo.fontaine@qcc.cuny.edu

Eduardo Fontaine serves as the Director of Investigations and Community Learning in the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Queensborough Community College. In this role, he investigates discrimination and sexual misconduct complaints, ensures compliance with Queensborough and CUNY policies, and advances equity and inclusion through outreach, education, and training.

Before joining Queensborough, Eduardo spent more than 25 years with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, where he led discrimination investigations, supervised multidisciplinary teams, and enforced federal civil rights laws. His leadership contributed to significant policy reforms, training initiatives, and settlements that advanced equal opportunity across public and private institutions.

Eduardo earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and American Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is also fluent in Spanish, which enhances his ability to connect with and serve the diverse members of the QCC community.

Yessenia Garcia

Inclusive Hiring and Cultural Programming Manager

YGarcia@qcc.cuny.edu

Yessenia Garcia serves as the Diversity Program Manager in the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (OEIB). Ms. Garcia earned an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Deaf Studies at LaGuardia Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Queens College. Ms. Garcia joined Queensborough Community College in 2014 as a CUNY Office Assistant in OEIB and became the Administrative Coordinator in 2017. Ms. Garcia hopes to continue to advance her career within CUNY in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Ahmaya Graves-Young

Confidential Executive Coordinator

Ahmaya.Graves-Young@qcc.cuny.edu

Ahmaya Graves-Young serves as the Confidential Executive Coordinator in the Office of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (OEIB). Ms. Graves-Young earned her Bachelor of Arts in Critical Race and Political Economy with a concentration in Africana Studies at Mount Holyoke College. She began her journey in the DEI space as a fellow for the first-generation low-income network at her alma mater. Ms. Graves-Young hopes to continue learning new ways to innovatively and intentionally build spaces that don’t just reflect equity work but deeply embody it.

Affinity Groups

Affinity groups play a crucial role in community development by fostering connections, facilitating collaboration, offering support, and promoting inclusivity. They create environments where individuals can thrive both personally and collectively, strengthening the fabric of the community.

Below, find a list of current Queensborough affinity groups along with their contact information. These groups are independent and self-managed, and we provide their details on this page to support and uplift their valuable work.