Meet the Staff

Carina Olaru

Director, Latino Cultural Center

Learn more about Carina

Carina Olaru (She/Her/Hers), a Chicago native and daughter of Mexican immigrants, joined Purdue University as the Director of the Latino Cultural Center (LCC) in 2016. Under her leadership, the Latinx student population continues to grow and thrive at Purdue University. In 2017, Carina was responsible for the expansion, renovation, and relocation of the LCC and her vision ensured that the new space was intentionally inclusive and representative of diverse Latinx communities. Her mentorship and support of students, faculty and staff has been the source of the revival of the Latinx Student Union (LSU), the Latinx Graduation Student Association (LGSO) and the Latino Faculty and Staff Association (LaFaSA). In 2020, due to Carina and her team's efforts, the LCC recorded its highest visitation since its opening in 2003 and averages approximately 1,200 visits per month. Olaru established a local and statewide presence for the Latino Cultural Center working closely with Greater Lafayette Immigrant Allies, Indiana Latino Expo, Latino Center for Wellness and Education and the Indiana Latino Institute; and has been an integral part of the planning committee for the Indiana Latino Education Summit and presented at the Indiana Latino Higher Education Consortium. Olaru engages in teaching and learning opportunities and has provided training about Latindad and DACA support for faculty and staff. Carina was awarded Educator of the Year by the Indiana Latino Expo in 2019, is serving a two-year term on the Indiana Latino Institute's Latino (ILI) Legislative Committee, and was selected as part of the ILI Latino Leadership Circle in 2021. Olaru also served as the Director of Student Advocacy and Education from 2020-2025.

Prior to joining the LCC, Carina Olaru was an assistant professor in the Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures department at Monmouth College, where she taught Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Literature. Professor Olaru was recognized by her colleagues for her work with students and the community when presented the Hatch Award for Distinguished Service and by students who honored her as Outstanding Career Mentor and in the annual Honor Walk for graduating students.

Carina received her bachelor's degree in English and Latin American and Latino Studies with a minor in Spanish from DePaul University in Chicago, IL. She received her Master's in Hispanic Literatures with a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is currently working on a PhD in American Studies at Purdue University. In her spare time, she upcycles furniture, reads, gardens, and spends time her partner and their brilliant and kind daughter.

Ebelin Gomez

Assistant Director, Latino Cultural Center

gomezey@purdue.edu

Learn more about Ebelin

Ebelin (She/Her/Hers), was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and a first-generation college graduate. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of California, Riverside. She also received her Master’s degree in School Counseling from California Baptist University, along with her Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential. Prior to joining the LCC, Ebelin led and managed the alumni program for a network of charter schools in the Westlake/MacArthur Park area of Los Angeles, where she equipped first-generation college students with the tools and resources necessary to persist through college. There, she also led the Avanzando Through College program for three years. She comes to the LCC with seven years of experience working with first-generation Latinx students and diverse populations.

During her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, running, and spending time with her husband and two pugs, Romeo and Frida. She is new to the Midwest and is looking forward to experiencing all seasons! She is excited to connect with students at the LCC and provide support in building a sense of community and belonging within the Purdue community.

Ella Newcomb

Administrative Assistant

emnewcomb@purdue.edu

Learn more about Ella

Ella (she/her/hers) joined the Latino Cultural Center as the administrative assistant in April 2026. A recent Purdue alumna, she earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communication. She is from a small town in rural, central Illinois.

As a student at Purdue, Ella worked within the College of Agriculture’s Office of Multicultural Programs for three years as the lead teaching assistant for AGR 201: Communicating Across Cultures, a class dedicated to developing students’ understanding of intercultural communication and their place within a multicultural world. In this role, Ella discovered her passion for empowering others to develop and strengthen their intercultural competence and understanding of diversity, intersectionality, and multiculturalism.

Ella also spent three years as an Admissions Ambassador engaging with prospective students and their families from around the world, guiding campus tours and working in the Boilermaker Station Welcome Center. Here she grew a strong connection to Purdue and a dedicated commitment to its diverse community.

In her free time, Ella enjoys antiquing, making jewelry, caring for her 100+ houseplants, spending time with her partner and their cats, and exploring nature—she is working on visiting all 63 U.S. national parks!