D’Metri Mattocks and Jesse Cetz: Creating Spaces to Grow
By: Zoditu Schwind
Photographed by: Victoria Prieto
The Intercultural Resource Center (IRC) invites students to celebrate and participate in the complexities of diversity. As members of the IRC team, D'Metri Mattocks and Jesse Cetz are at the forefront of this Christ-centered, intercultural engagement.
A Georgia native, D'Metri Mattocks chose to work at George Fox University (GFU) because he was impressed by its detailed ten-year plan outlining how it will address and promote racial equity and reconciliation. Mattocks knew he could support its initiative to create spaces for students of color, and he liked GFU’s commitment to helping all students understand the values of living in a multicultural environment.
D'Metri Mattocks photographed by Victoria Prieto.
Primarily, though, Mattocks was drawn to the strength of GFU’s faith foundation even amidst a post-Christian state like Oregon. Mattocks wanted to work at an institution where he could support students as they wrestled with the interplay of their faith and their identity. This desire stemmed from his own experience. “I think about the time when I really struggled with my racial identity,” Mattocks said, “but without having that central foundation of being a follower of Christ, I think it would have been hard for me to understand the beauty of the Imago Dei, especially when there’s more melanin in it.”
In his current position, Mattocks is the Director of Intercultural Life. In this role, he breathes life into students’ stories and allows them to realize their beauty as God’s image-bearers. Mattocks said, “I want [students] to know that they are valuable and that their voices carry weight and matter for the flourishing of the GFU community.” Mattocks has the chance to create opportunities for students to engage in the reconciliation process. He carries this out by overseeing the Mosaic Scholars leadership program, promoting campus-wide events like the Voices Conference, the ESL Mathetes Panel, and his favorite, Soul Food Fridays.
Jesse Cetz grew up in Portland and was a 2019 GFU graduate. Cetz returned because he felt called to serve the GFU community. “I really cherish and embrace the serving aspect of being a follower of Jesus, and I view what we do in the IRC directly as ministry,” Cetz said. By embracing his cultural identity as Latino, he promotes authenticity in the IRC. In this way, he strives to build the Kingdom by welcoming students of different cultures, identities, and walks of life. Cetz seeks to nurture students in the pursuit of their dreams so that they can ultimately give back to others.
Jesse Cetz photographed by Victoria Prieto.
Cetz is both the Liberation Scholars Project Manager and the First-Generation Student Success Coordinator. For the Liberation Scholars Project, he works to empower high school students from Woodburn in their dream to attend a university. Throughout the year, Cetz and his team come alongside these scholars through the college decision and application process. In his other role, Cetz helps to build support systems for first generation college students. “The mission behind this is to empower first gen-students to celebrate their stories, find their voices, and emerge as agents of faith,” Cetz said. Having been a first-generation college student himself, he understands their experiences and is honored to partner alongside them. Cetz wants first-generation students to know they are not alone, and to recognize they belong at GFU.
Mattocks and Cetz live out the IRC’s mission in advocating for inclusivity, Christ-centeredness, and a culture of learning. As lifelong learners, they both recognize that engagement fosters humility. This engagement “comes with its challenges and imperfections, but in the same way, it is a place for growth,” Mattocks said. The IRC offers that space to grow. Its doors are open, and as every student at GFU adds to the vibrancy of campus life, all are welcome.