Office of Equity and Inclusion Adds Two New Staff Members to Lead Education and Engagement Initiatives

The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) has announced the addition of Alaina Macaulay as senior director for inclusion and strategic engagement and Penn Pritchard as education and development manager.

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Macaulay will lead efforts and strategic initiatives to advance institutional equity and inclusion goals. Previously the director of diversity and inclusion for the Isenberg School of Management, she will develop and lead major events and strategic programming in response to climate incidents and climate survey data for faculty, staff and students.

“I am very excited to work with Alaina in her role as Senior Director for the Office of Equity and Inclusion,” says Nefertiti Walker, vice chancellor for equity and inclusion. “She has done a fantastic job leading Isenberg DEI for the past few years, while also developing many rich relationships across the UMass DEI and social justice community on and off-campus. Her years of experience on our campus and her connections in the broader Western Massachusetts community will go a long way in propelling our inclusion and engagement strategy.”

Pritchard will spearhead new campus-wide DEI educational programs and initiatives. Through the execution of training programs, workshops, and other educational tools, these programs will support a diverse and inclusive campus community. Pritchard joins OEI from AIM Academy, where they served as the coordinator of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and curriculum and instructional leader.

“Penn comes to us with vast experience in DEI education and has pedagogical alignment with our goals of building a community of dignity and respect,” Walker says. “I am excited for the work they will lead in developing an array of opportunities for our campus community to develop their DEI capabilities.”

The new additions come to UMass at a crucial time as the university analyzes data from the fall 2021 Campus Climate Survey and their work and expertise will help guide the campus with evidence-based programs and initiatives to continue the institutional work of building an equitable and inclusive community of dignity and respect.