Maintaining an inclusive and accepting campus climate is everyone's responsibility. However, the University also has several individuals with formal diversity responsibilities. Below are key individuals and councils providing oversight to campus units.
Campus Life Contacts
Matt Bachmann, Director, Student Veteran Resource Center
Genny Beemyn, Director, Stonewall Center
Wilma Crespo, Director of CMASS, Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success
AnnMarie Duchon, Director, Disability Services
Hind Mari, Director, Women of Color Leadership Network
Gisella Zuniga, Co-Director of Information, Education and Leadership, Center for Women and Community
Academic Affairs and College/School Liaisons
Commonwealth Honors College
Ann Marie Russell, Associate Dean for Recruitment, Advising, and Diversity, Commonwealth Honors College
Nursing
Raeann LeBlanc, Chair, College of Nursing Diversity Committee
Education
Benita Barnes, Director of Diversity and Inclusion
Engineering
Paula Rees, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Freke Ette, Assistant Director, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Stephen Fernandez, Engineering Engagement Specialist
Sergio Brena, Associate Department Head, Faculty Diversity Chair
Michael Knodler, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Affairs
Graduate School
Sofiya Alhassan, Associate Dean
Bharat Rathod, Assistant Director of the Office of Inclusion & Engagement
Humanities and Fine Arts
Jason Moralee, Associate Dean for Research and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Cara Takakjian, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Information and Computer Sciences
Erika Lynn Dawson Head, Director of Diversity and Inclusive Community Development
Emma Anderson, Director of Inclusive Education & Teaching Support
Natural Sciences
Lara Roach, Director for Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Success and Diversity, College of Natural Sciences
Syde Orange, Associate Director of Student Success and Diversity, College of Natural Sciences
Logan Dunnigan, Assistant Director of Student Success and Diversity, College of Natural Sciences
Public Health and Health Sciences
Nate Whitmal, Director of Diversity Advancement, School of Public Health and Health Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mwangi wa Githinji, Co-Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion
Kathy Roberts Forde, Co-Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion
Felicia Griffin-Fennell, Director, SBS RISE
Campus-wide
Kevin Kerwood, Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer
Kirsten Helmer, Director of Programming for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity, Center for Teaching & Learning
Kalpen Trivedi, Vice Provost for Global Affairs
Kerri Tillett, Associate Vice Chancellor for Equal Opportunity and Access and Title IX Coordinator
The UMass Native Advisory Council regularly convenes to address topics related to the Native community at UMass, provide education and guidance on Native issues, foster mutual relationships with area Native Nations, and advise university leaders on matters related to positive campus climate for Native students, faculty, and staff. Comprised of a circle of campus administrators, faculty, staff, and students, the Council represents a braided network of over thirteen different programs, departments, and resources.
The UMass Black Advisory Council regularly convenes to address topics related to the Black community at UMass, provides education and guidance on Black issues, and advises university leaders on matters related to positive campus climate for Black students, faculty, and staff. Comprised of a team of campus administrators, faculty, staff, and students, the Council represents a broad network of over twenty-one different programs, departments, and resources.
Faculty Senate Council on the Status of Diversity
The Status of Diversity Council shall make recommendations on all matters affecting the status of diverse populations and underrepresented communities on the campus, including such matters as faculty, librarian and staff recruitment, retention, promotion and salaries, the recruitment, admission and retention of undergraduate and graduate minority students, granting of financial aid, and the development of programs to reflect the needs of our diverse community.
Faculty Senate Council on the Status of Women
The Status of Women Council shall make recommendations affecting the status of women on the campus, including such matters as recruitment, promotion and salaries, the granting of tenure, the establishment of day care centers, the admission of undergraduate and graduate women students, the granting of financial aid, the development of programs for women whose careers have been interrupted by marriage or childbirth, and the availability and conditions of part-time work.
UMass JEDI Collaborative
The Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Collaborative is a digital space for collaboration and mutual support for UMass faculty and staff who are involved in the important work of building diversity, equity, and inclusion rooted in justice on campus.
The JEDI Collaborative will be a mostly digital forum using Microsoft Teams for faculty and staff who are involved in JEDI work across campus to access important information from the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI), ask questions, and collaborate with and share resources freely with their peers. The Collaborative will create space for monthly meetings led by OEI, workshops & trainings, and social gatherings. Email Ebru Kardan at ekardan@umass.edu to join.
