UCSD - University of California - San Diego

04/08/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/08/2026 07:13

Take 10 with a Triton: Maribel Gomez on Showing Students Dignity and Support

Published Date

April 08, 2026

Name: Maribel Gomez

Pronouns: She/Her

Position: Director of the LGBT Resource Center

Years at UC San Diego: Gomez joined UC San Diego's LGBT Resource Centerin August 2013 as its assistant director. A native of Los Angeles County, she went to UC Davis, working in the campus's LGBT Resource Center and researching the intersections of race, gender and sexuality. She earned her master's degree from San José State University in Chicanx Studies before coming to UC San Diego.

What she does at UC San Diego:Gomez transitioned into her current role as director of the LGBT Resource Center in September 2024.

Gomez is inspired to do social justice work because of her own lived experience. As a student at UC Davis, a gender studies course, "gave me the language for what I experienced growing up around educational equity," she shared. "I realized early on that I wanted to do work that is important and meaningful and contributes to something."

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Out and Proud 2026

The UC San Diego LGBT Resource Center hosts its 2026 Out and Proud seriesApril 13-24, 2026. This two-week series, open to all UC San Diego faculty, staff and students, is UC San Diego's most visible celebration of LGBTQIA+ identity - a powerful space to honor the resilience, achievements and contributions of our queer and trans students, staff, faculty and allies. Programming for this year's Out and Proud series focuses on the theme, "Becoming a Spark: Weathering Storms Together," bringing awareness to LGBTQIA+ issues and providing an opportunity for visibility and reflection

In her previous role as the center's assistant director, she focused on programming and design with a focus on healing justice. "We try to meet our faculty, staff and students where they are now," she said. "The community's needs are different than they were when the center was established 25 years ago. We want folks to feel like this is their home to develop as leaders and grow."

Community and cultural care is at the heart of the center's programming. "We're always thinking about how to make things accessible and ensure people are caring for their whole selves," Gomez said, citing UC San Diego's upcoming Out and Proud seriesas an example. "We're intentional about the language and imagery we use, and we want to protect people's spirit."

What she loves about UC San Diego: Gomez appreciates the campus's investment in students, alumni and the community. She noted the large number of alumni who return to UC San Diego to work, and cited their commitment to making the campus better for students. "So many of my colleagues on campus and I just want our students to be cared for while they're at UC San Diego," she shared. "I've seen over the years just how dedicated my colleagues are. Yes, we're at a high-level research university, but there are so many people across campus that show our students dignity, love and support."

Best advice received:For Gomez, a first-generation professional, it wasn't the advice she received, so much as the questions she was encouraged to ask of herself. "I was talking to [Muir College Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Residence Life] Sonia Rosado about my career and where I was going. She encouraged me to shift the way that I think about myself, challenge my own imposter syndrome and say, 'No, I deserve to be here. I'm here for a reason.'"

Something unique about her workplace: Gomez's office in the LGBT Resource Center overlooks Graffiti Art Park. Decor featuring Mexican painter Frida Kahlo adorns her desk, along with a shelf built by her dad. "I have grounding sprays and herbs on the shelf along with items that are culturally representative to remind myself this is where I belong," she added.

She also noted the center's uniqueness. In the center's lobby, soft lighting, validating art and imagery and plush couches craft a warm and welcoming atmosphere. "The center supports the whole student and the smallest things matter," Gomez noted. "We always have tea, snacks and testing supplies like Blue Books available, as well as resources for gender-affirming care, a community care shelf with Legos and board games and a library with books to check out."

Favorite spot on campus:"Art of Espresso; it has the best coffee on campus. I also really like Mandeville Art Galleryand being around so many plants."

Something most people don't know about you:"I grew up playing the accordion as a little kid. I've also trained for three marathons: L.A., Mexico City and San Diego Rock 'N Roll. I'm thinking about doing Honolulu, but I have two kids, so I'm building back up."

If she had one day to do anything she wanted:"I always jam-pack my adventures. I'd probably bake, craft, run and go somewhere in nature, like a garden. I also love to travel to Mexico; I really like Mexico City, and my family is from Jalisco. I love going back because it connects me to my culture and I also like the food."

UCSD - University of California - San Diego published this content on April 08, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 08, 2026 at 13:13 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]