Office of Institutional Diversity

Veronica found her passion for supporting students in higher education at a non-profit called Step Up Women’s Network where she worked with high school girls to help them understand and apply to college, while providing opportunities to explore careers through mentorship and internship programs. After receiving her master’s degree in education from the University of La Verne and working in a charter school system for several years, she officially entered higher education at the University of Southern California and served as an academic advisor and assistant director in the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism’s Academic and Advisement Services office. At USC, she served on the First-Generation College Student Task Force which organized the inaugural, First Generation College Student Summit, she was a mentor for First-Generation students and an advisor for the Annenberg Latino Student Association. Most recently, Veronica was Senior Director of Student Affairs at Keck Graduate Institute and oversaw Student Accessibility Services, Academic Support Services, Title IX, International Student Programming, Student and Campus Life and was a member of the JEDI committee and 7C Inclusive Excellence Committee. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Southern California.

When she is not working, she is usually at the park with her three kids helping on their soccer and baseball teams, along with her husband. Her top five Gallup Clifton Strengths are: Adaptability, Relator, Developer, Harmony and Maximizer.

Nita Kansara has been at Harvey Mudd College since August 2021, working as the Facilities Operations Assistant Manager, responsible for the daily operations, accounting and supervising student staff.With more than 20 years of experience in Higher Education, Nita previously held positions at Pomona College, focusing on Student Affairs. Her breadth of experience encompasses roles in Residence Life, Campus Housing, Academic Affairs, and student support. Additionally, she has provided informal advising as a language and cultural mentor to international students.Originally from Mumbai, India, Nita earned her B.A. in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Mumbai. As a first-generation college student and immigrant, she is passionate about assisting international students in navigating college life in the US and facilitating their access to various resources.

When not working, Nita enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and playing Scrabble. She lives in Rancho Cucamonga with her husband and their two grown children.

Logan McVaugh (He/They) is a dedicated professional with a strong commitment to advancing social justice and inclusion. Logan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Azusa Pacific University, where he developed a keen understanding of the importance of advocating for marginalized communities. Next, they pursued a Master’s degree in Sociology at Cal State Fullerton in 2021, specializing in gender, sexuality, communication, and meaning-making. Concurrently, Logan served as the inaugural Graduate Assistant for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Cal State Fullerton’s Associated Students, Inc. In this role, he was instrumental in developing the program from its inception, launching several impactful initiatives, enhancing staff training, and promoting collaborative events across campus. 

When he is not working, Logan is usually exercising, reading, or spending time with his wife and their dog. 

As a first-generation college graduate, Gabriela’s journey into higher education was shaped by the support and encouragement she received through the Puente Program, a first-year transfer program. That experience inspired her passion for supporting and empowering other first-generation students as they navigate their own educational journeys. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of California, Riverside, where she developed a deeper understanding of the social and institutional factors that shape students’experiences. She is currently completing her M.S in Higher Education, further developing her knowledge and skills to serve and advocate for students. Her personal experiences as a first-generation student has strengthened her commitment to creating supportive spaces where students feel seen, valued, and empowered. Today, she is passionate about helping students recognize their potential, navigate higher education with confidence, and achieve their academic
and personal goals.

When she is not working, she loves to spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys making music on her guitar, creating art work, learning new languages, dirtbike riding, and playing sports when she has more free time.

Gabby is a senior Engineering major at Harvey Mudd College with an interest in biomedical engineering. She has gained internship experience in both the medical device and pharmaceutical industries through roles at Medtronic and Amgen, and has also conducted biomedical research at Johns Hopkins University. She is passionate about using engineering to improve people’s lives and, more importantly, making healthcare more accessible.

Outside the classroom, Gabby has actively supported and advocated for students at Harvey Mudd. Through organizations including Black Lives at Mudd and the National Society of Black Engineers, she has held leadership positions focused on community building, student advocacy, and increasing access to professional opportunities. As an NSBE leader, she helped raise funding to support students attending regional and national conferences. Gabby’s passion for the Office of Institutional Diversity began when she entered Mudd through the Summer Institute (SI) program, an experience that had a meaningful impact on her.

Outside of school and work, Gabby enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and doing anything ocean-related. She also loves staying active, whether that means going to the gym or playing sports.