Elizabethtown College recently appointed Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB) Ambassadors for each of its six undergraduate Schools to further the College’s commitment to fostering a sense of belongingness and acceptance within Etown’s campus community.
School Ambassadors actively work with Senior Advisor for College Diversity, Equity, and Belonging at Elizabethtown College, Kesha Morant Williams to promote inclusive and equitable classroom learning environments.
“Ambassadors are available to lead discussions, answer questions, and provide advice to colleagues within their School,” Williams explained. “In many ways, they serve as a liaison between their Schools and the Office of DEB. They keep us informed of concerns, progress, and instructional needs related to inclusive excellence.”
These campus advocates also have the flexibility to shape their role based on the School’s needs. For instance, the School of Engineering and Computer Science includes intentional student outreach as an objective of the role.
“It’s important for me that students know they have at least one faculty member they can come to and talk about matters pertaining to DEB or just for general support,” Dr. Tomás Estrada, DEB Ambassador for the School of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) said. “While all our faculty value DEB, having a dedicated person who’s done significant work in this area makes it easier for students who aren’t sure who to talk to.”
Etown’s School Ambassadors include:
School of Arts and Humanities
Emily Yoder Frantz, MMT, MT-BC, Director of Music Therapy and Oboe Instructor
School of Business
Najiba Benabess, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Business
School of Engineering and Computer Science
Tomás Estrada, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Engineering and Physics
School of Human and Health Professions
Shannon Haley-Mize, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education and the Interim Director of Global Understanding and Peacebuilding
School of Public Service
Robert E. Aronson, DrPH, MPH, Director of Public Health and a Lecturer
School of Sciences
Anya Goldina, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology
Evan Smith, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Women and Gender Studies Program
The School Ambassadors are one of several passionate, committed groups of Campus Advocates for diversity, equity, and belonging (DEB) on Etown’s campus, which also include the Campus Inclusion Council (CIC), DEB Faculty and Administrative Fellows, and Search Committee Equity Ambassadors.
Learn more about the work of these campus advocates at etown.edu.
