WCSU Diversity Council
Last updated: August 18, 2022
UPDATE: The WCSU Diversity Council will reconvene in the Spring 2023 semester for the 2022-2023 academic year to provide university recommendations on supporting our university community during these challenging times. The Office of Diversity and Equity will work with the Office of the President and WCSU Diversity Council during the Fall 2022 semester for recruitment purposes to be prepared to engage the campus community the following Spring 2023 semester.
The Office of Diversity and Equity, in partnership with the Office of the Provost/Vice President for the Division of Academic Affairs and the Office of the President, launched the first Diversity Council in December 2017. The Western Connecticut State University (“WCSU” or “University”) Diversity Council (“the Council”) is comprised of representation from Management/Confidential staff, AAUP, Clerical, Police, Maintenance and Student representatives to utilize the experience and expertise of Council Members to develop and support methods for advancing the presence of diversity, equity and inclusion of underrepresented minority groups within the university community.
MISSION AND VISION OF THE WCSU DIVERSITY COUNCIL
The Council will develop recommendations and initiatives to recruit and retain underrepresented minority groups in the identified community groups of the WCSU community. Council members will partner with other groups in the WCSU community for the purposes of: promoting mutual gain through activities like student/employee recruiting, mentoring, consulting arrangements, internship opportunities, arranging for guest speakers from industry, supporting University-wide outreach operations, and bringing students and employees into direct contact with members of the Danbury community. The Council will assist the Office of Diversity and Equity on key trends, changes, and developments so that Western Connecticut State University can more readily integrate “real world” matters into curriculum and other university activities
Key Priorities for the Council completed in the 2022-2023 academic year:
- Dissemination of information for WCSU Diversity Council membership and interest.
- Creating virtual and in-person university engagements for equity and inclusion practices in the Spring 2023 semester.
- Re-examining the creation and implementation of a 5-year WCSU Equity Action Plan inclusive on preventive strategies and resolutions to address racial trauma and healing for our university community.
As of September 1, 2022, the members of the Diversity Council are as follows:
Council Member | Represented
WCSU Region |
Title/Department |
Photo/Image
|
Arslan, Hasan | Ancell School of Business/AAUP | Associate Professor, Justice and Law Administration | ![]() |
Brown, Michelle | Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences/Management-Conf. | Dean, Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences | ![]() |
VACANT | A&R Union | N/A | Image Unavailable |
Cunningham, Jennifer | A&R Union | CSU Administrative Assistant
Office of the Provost |
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Huang, Carol | Ancell School of Business/AAUP | Associate Professor
Finance Department |
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VACANT | Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences/AAUP | N/A | N/A |
Marasco, George | SUOAF |
Storekeeper – Office of Property Management
|
N/A |
Monte, Lorri-Ann | School of Professional Studies/AAUP | Assistant Professor, Education and Education Psychology
|
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Morel, Elisabeth | SUOAF | Director, Office of AccessAbility Services | ![]() |
Moreira, April | School of Professional Studies/AAUP | Assistant Professor, Social Work
|
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Pote, Robert | SUOAF | Director, Pre-Colliegate and Access Department
Extended appointment to 2023 |
|
Steinmetz, Paul | Management/Conf. | Chief of Staff, President’s Office
Extended appointment to 2023 |
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Dennis, Daryle | SUOAF | Assistant Dean, Division of Student Affairs
Ex-officio Member |
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Jesenia Minier | Management/Conf. | Chief Diversity Officer/WCSU ADA & Title IX Coordinator
Council Organizer and Ex-officio Member |
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VACANT | Student representative –
Freshman Year |
N/A |
N/A |
Sara Risko | WCSU Student – Junior |
BS Health Promotion Studies |
N/A |
VACANT |
Student representative – Sophomore Year |
N/A | N/A |
VACANT |
Student represntative – Junior/Senior Year |
N/A | N/A |
WCSU Diversity Council Form(s):
NEW Academic Year 2022-2023 Spring 2023 Meeting Schedule (to be posted on or after September 6, 2022)
REVISED Academic Year 2021-2022 Meeting Schedule (REVISED posted August 30, 2021)
WCSU Diversity Council Nomination Form/Membership Information (posted August 2, 2021)
WCSU Diversity Council By-Laws (posted August 26, 2019)