Staff Directory

Ruben Cardenas was born and raised in the Yakima Valley. He went on to complete his first degree at Eastern Washington University. He has ten years of experience working in higher education within the Veterans Center most recently as the director. Prior to coming to CWU, he served in the Washington Army National Guard from 2004-10. During his service, he was deployed to Iraq from 2008-09. In his free time, you can find Ruben brewing beer, smoking meats, and hiking.

Diana “D” Kellerman has been working at the CWU Veterans Center since 2013. Originally from Western Kentucky, she has lived in several US states and Germany while an active duty service member. She earned a BFA in Fine Art from Southern Illinois University in 1994 and then opened her own business before joining the Army as a Chaplain’s Assistant in 1999. After four years of active service, she continued to work for the Army as a civilian for several years. D is also a proud spouse of a 24-year Army service veteran and mom to 4 furry kids (3 cats and a German Shepherd). She enjoys traveling with her husband in their RV and taking photos of nature.

My name is Joel Thurston, I am a work-study student at the veterans center. I am a Marine Corps veteran, and I am a junior majoring in safety and health management. After exiting the Marine Corps, I moved into the wind energy field and worked as a project lead for approximately 4 years. Due to some unfortunate injuries, I lost my job, which is when I decided to pursue a degree in safety. I have been with the veterans center for approximately 6 months and I love working with the fantastic team we have assembled here.

Carson currently works as a work study in the Veterans Center. He was born in Illinois and has lived in various other states. He was in the Army National Guard from 2016 until 2022. His work study position is focused on helping veterans and their family members receive benefits, as well as getting them other information.

After 6 years of serving on the US Navy’s Finest Destroyer, the USS Winston S. Churchill, Brenden secured his DD-214 and set out to pursue his dreams in Aviation. He’s currently dual majoring in the Professional Pilot and Aviation Management Program. Brenden likes to spend his free time working on old crusty Hondas and attempting to be a mountaineer. He’s originally from the suburbs of Chicago, and is very passionate about helping service members and veterans to get access to the benefits that they deserve.

My name is Tyler Anderson, and I am a work study student at the Veterans Center. I am currently serving a 6-year contract in the Marine Corps Reserves. After growing up on the Northern border of Washington in the small town of Everson, I decided to pursue my dream of entering the field of Aviation here at Central. After college I hope to commission and fly in the Marine Corps. My major is Aviation Management and I love helping others. My life has been dedicated to service and hope that my interactions with the veteran and civilian community reflects this passion.

As a neo-traditional transfer student, Dustin brings an array of experiences and perspectives to CWU. Originally from Wenatchee, he is no stranger to North Central Washington. He is majoring in Asian Studies with minors in Chinese, Organizational Communication, and Philosophy. Transferring to CWU was an instinctive choice as the Asian Studies Program supports his passion and practice of martial arts, yoga, and qigong. Currently serving in the National Guard, he is entertaining an active duty contract after graduation. He plans to use his experiences to pursue a career in diplomacy and/or humanitarianism. Dustin is currently the Student Senator for the Veterans Center and a Peer Ambassador for the Transfer Center. He is Vice President of the Philosophy and Religious Studies (PARS) Club as well as Vice President of Central Campus Ambassadors who hold The Cave, a weekly philosophical drop-in discussion.