Staff Information

Meet the IDEI Team

Dr. Quincy A. Bevely

Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

qbevely@providence.edu | 401.865.2889 | he/him/his

Dr. Quincy A. Bevely became vice president of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in July of 2023.

Dr. Bevely joined the Providence College community in July 2016 as assistant dean of students and director of cultural education in the Division of Student Affairs. He moved to the office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as assistant vice president and Title VI coordinator in March 2019. He is co-director of the Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy (D.I.D.) Lab, and an adjunct faculty member at PC.

Dr. Bevely has taught courses in the Development of Western Civilization program, in our Global Studies major, in Public and Community Service Studies and Elementary/Special Education, in the School of Continuing Education, and in our master’s degree of Higher Education program.

A native of Chicago, Dr. Bevely earned both his undergraduate degree in psychology (2010) and a master’s degree in education (2012) from Northern Illinois University. He also earned a Ph.D. from Kansas State University (2021). He is a member of the National Association for Diversity Officers in Higher Education and completed their Standards of Professional Practice Institute for Chief Diversity Officers (2019). Dr. Bevely has represented the College in the Inclusive Leadership Program of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, as well as at the Senior Diversity Officers meeting at the annual American Catholic Colleges and Universities conference.

Simone N. Tubman, J.D.

Assistant Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Equity Compliance

Title VI and Title IX Coordinator

As a former litigator and current higher education professional, Simone brings a depth of experience to the Division of Institutional Diversity and the Office of Equity Compliance having knowledge and expertise in policy and procedural development, civil rights compliance, restorative justice practices and social justice mediation. Simone also has experience in developing equitable initiatives, diverse and inclusive programs, and various professional and educational learning opportunities.

Perla Castillo Calderon, M.Ed.

Director of the Center at Moore Hall

pcastil1@providence.edu | 401.865.1018 | she/her/hers

Perla Castillo Calderon is the Director of the Center at Moore Hall and the PC Smith Hill Annex. Perla is deeply committed to fostering cross-cultural understanding, celebrating differences, and building solidarity in through her work.

Perla is a proud double Friar; she earned a B.A. in Public and Community Studies in 2020 and an M.Ed. in Higher Education in 2022 from Providence College. During her graduate studies, she served as the Graduate Assistant for IDEI and the Graduate Intern at the Center for Global Education.

Throughout her undergraduate years, Perla served as a Coordinator for the First-Generation Peer Mentoring Program (PMP), a first-generation group that supports students throughout their college journey, a Resident Assistant, and a Research Fellow for the Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy (DID) Wall. Today, she co-leads the Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy (DID) Lab, a campus initiative that creates intentional spaces for dialogue across difference. The Lab brings students, faculty, and staff together for monthly programs, trainings, and conversations that explore issues of identity, equity, and community—helping to build the skills necessary to sustain dialogue and deepen belonging at Providence College.

Dr. Saaid Mendoza

Saaid Mendoza, Faculty in Residence, Institutional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Faculty in Residence

smendoza@providence.edu | 401.865.2614 | he/him/his

Dr. Saaid A. Mendoza joined the faculty at Providence College in 2014 and is currently a tenured Associate Professor of Psychology. He graduated with honors with a BA in psychology from Rice University and earned his PhD from New York University in Social & Organizational Psychology. Dr. Mendoza serves as the principal investigator and director of the Social Perception & Attitudes Lab, which investigates how intergroup biases develop, how they are subtly expressed, and how they can be reduced. He has published extensively in this area and regularly teaches relevant courses on Social Psychology, the Psychology of Gender, Industrial & Organizational Psychology, and an advanced seminar on Stereotypes & Prejudice.

Due to his scholarly expertise and knowledge of quantitative methods, he was invited to join the IDEI team as a faculty-in-residence in 2019. In this role, he has developed workshops on implicit bias and inclusive pedagogy, as well as helped plan campus-wide DEI initiatives and overseen assessment strategy. As a Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy Faculty Fellow, he is committed to creating safe spaces and facilitating conversations across differences. For his efforts, he was selected as the 2021 recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Vision Award and was recently named the 2023 Joseph R. Accinno Teaching Award winner, given to the faculty member who “best exhibits excellence in teaching, passion, and enthusiasm for learning, and genuine concern for students’ academic and personal growth.”

Cathy O’Leary

Executive Assistant

coleary5@providence.edu | 401.865.2836 | she/her/hers

Cathy O’Leary joined the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Providence College in 2014, bringing more than 30 years of administrative experience and expertise to the role. Prior to joining the College, she served as Office Administrator for the International Division of Arpin Group, where she worked closely with senior leadership, staff, and clients to enhance the department’s operational efficiency.

In her current role, Ms. O’Leary provides essential administrative support to the Vice President and Assistant Vice President for the Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion division. She oversees the division’s daily operations and serves as a key point of contact, ensuring the smooth and effective functioning of the office. Her deep institutional knowledge and organizational insight make her a valued resource within the division.

Brianda Vargas

Administrative Assistant for Institutional Diversity, Equity, Compliance

bvargas@providence.edu| 401.865.2329 | she/her/hers

Brianda Vargas joined the Office of Equity Compliance and the Division of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Providence College in 2024. She brings a wealth of experience in administrative support and office management, with a strong track record of streamlining operations and enhancing team collaboration.

Prior to joining Providence College, Brianda worked as an Office Manager, where she successfully coordinated office functions and provided vital support to leadership with administrative tasks.

In her current role, Brianda supports IDEI’s division leadership team and manages the administrative operations of both the Office of Equity Compliance and the Center at Moore Hall. She is dedicated to advancing the mission of fostering an inclusive and vibrant campus community.

Dr. Kara Cebulko

Campus Immigration Liaison

kcebulko@providence.edu| 401.865.2515 | she/her/hers

Kara Cebulko joined Providence College in 2009 is currently an Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology with a joint appointment in the Department of Global Studies.  She was appointed as the College’s Campus Immigration Liaison in 2018.  Kara has her B.A. in Psychology from DePauw University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from Indiana University. 

Dr. Cebulko ‘s research and teaching is motivated by a deep commitment to human rights. For the past 15 years, she has investigated how immigration status, race and other forms of inequality shape the transition to and experience of young adulthood for 1.5- generation immigrants (immigrants born abroad but largely raised in the US). She teaches courses on globalization, migration and borders including a Global Service Learning course to San Diego/Tijuana, Mexico every Spring. She loves co-facilitating this course with students and local community partners.  Dr. Cebulko is the author of one book Documented, Undocumented, and Something Else: The Incorporation of Children of Brazilian Immigrants and has published a number of journal articles.