Katy Kaesebier

Director

Katy joined the Center for Student Involvement team in April of 2015 as the Associate Director. She attended Butler University where she received degrees in Psychology and Spanish, and earned her MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University. In her role with CSI, Katy supports the growth and development of LeadUH and ServeUH. Her passion is empowering student leaders to make our campus and community stronger through leadership and civic engagement programs.

Allyson Yolland

Assistant Director

Ally became a full-time staff member of the Center for Student Involvement in June of 2018 as an Activities Coordinator. She received her Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Houston. In her role, Ally provides support to registered student organizations by helping students with risk management, leadership development, and organizational management. She advises the Cougar Involvement Ambassadors who promote student involvement on campus and serve as peer to peer support for registered student organizations. She also advises the Council for Cultural Activities, a university-sponsored organization that promotes cultural awareness, diversity, and inclusion by supporting cultural and diversity-related registered student organizations and events on campus.

Eric Smith

Assistant Director

Eric is the Assistant Director for Programming in the Center for Student Involvement. In this role, he oversees the programing area by directly supporting Frontier Fiesta and the Homecoming Board. He also supervises and provides support to the Activities Coordinator for Programming, Student Program Board, and the Council for Cultural Activities. Eric is a native Ohioan and earned his Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and French from Capital University in 2014. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership in 2017 and spent four years working in Florida before moving to Houston.

Marilyn Stidham

Office Coordinator

Marilyn joined the Center for Student Involvement team in October 2022 as the Office Coordinator. She attended College of the Holy Spirit in Manila, Philippines. This is where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design. She has been with the University of Houston for 5 years, previously working as the Office Assistant II at Counseling Psychological Services. In her role as the office coordinator, she handles the daily operations of the department.

Marilyn enjoys cake decorating, painting, developing new recipes and playing the piano in her spare time.

Shaik Younus

Instructional Assistant

Younus joined the Center for Student Involvement team in January 2023 as an Instructional Assistant. He graduated from Vignan's University with his Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently pursuing his Master's in Industrial Engineering at the University of Houston. In his role at CSI, Younus advises a university-sponsored organization that promotes cultural awareness. In his spare time, he loves to workout, try new cuisine/foods, attend various cultural events, and spend time with friends and family.

Makiya Owens

Activities Coordinator

Makiya joined the Center for Student Involvement in July of 2023 as the Leadership and Civic Engagement Activities Coordinator. She graduated from Sam Houston State University with her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Political Science. In her role, Makiya coordinates and oversees the Ignite Leadership Program, Impact Living Learning Community, Bingo to Beat Hunger, and other programs. When she's not working, Makiya loves to attend concerts, take dance classes, and spend time with friends.

Rohail Shaikh

Instructional Assistant

Rohail joined the Center for Student Involvement team in June 2023 as an Instructional Assistant. He graduated from Vidyalankar Institute of Technology with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering. He is currently pursuing his Master's in Cybersecurity at the University of Houston. In his role at CSI, Rohail advises the Frontier Fiesta Board and Homecoming Board, conjuring fresh ideas into these cherished campus organizations. When not on epic quests, he's a foodie explorer, TV show/Anime marathoner, cultural connoisseur, and a sidekick to loved ones.

La’Dereka Christian

Instructional Assistant

La'Dereka joined the Center for Student Involvement Team in August of 2022 as an Instructional Assistant. She graduated from Louisiana Tech University with her Bachelor's in Finance and a minor in Human Development and Family Science. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Political Social Work at the University of Houston. In her role at CSI, La'Dereka advises the Student Program Board. In her spare time, she loves to cook, spend time with family and friends, paint, and binge Netflix series.

Mallika Choudhury

Instructional Assistant

Mallika joined the Center for Student Involvement team in August of 2023 as an Instructional Assistant. She graduated from UH in May 2021 with her Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies. She has returned to pursue her Master’s in Clinical Social Work and advises the Council for Cultural Activities in her role at CSI. In her spare time, she loves baking, reading, and spoiling her dog, nieces, and nephew.