University Diversity Council

In furtherance of Focus URI Strategic Priority 3 to foster an inclusive, people-centered culture, the President has appointed a University Diversity Council (UDC). The UDC advances, assesses, and amplifies inclusive excellence initiatives at URI.

In alignment with the University’s mission and foundational values, the University Diversity Council:

  • Coordinates University-wide inclusive excellence initiatives, eliminating silos and enhancing collaboration.
  • Develops and regularly updates institution-wide definitions related to inclusive excellence.
  • Reviews and recommends inclusive excellence training programs to the Presidential Stewardship Council (PSC) for consideration as optional or required for the University community.
  • Contributes to regular assessments of campus climate.
  • Evaluates proposals for competitive grant programs to advance inclusive excellence.
  • Collaborates with Human Resources to develop criteria and review applications for employee resource group recognition.
  • Prepares and presents an annual report to the PSC. The UDC is not, however, an internal review board and is not charged with reviewing the actions or work of any individual University office or personnel.

Upcoming Meetings

The council meets bi-monthly during the academic year (September – May). The next meetings are:

  • March 30, 3:00-4:30 PM
  • May 13, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM

Membership

UDC members represent a diversity of professional and personal backgrounds, as well as university constituencies, including:

  • Faculty: tenure/tenure track, clinical, teaching, and other instructional staff (2-year term)
  • Staff: classified and non-classified, union and non-union (3-year term)
  • Administrators: administrative and academic units (3-year term)
  • Student: Graduate and Undergraduate (1-year term)
  • Community Affiliates: Chaplains, Extension, OLLI (2-year term)
  • Campuses: Kingston, Providence, Bay, and Alton Jones.

Current Members

Co-Chairs 
Markeisha J. Miner, Vice President, Office of Community, Equity & Diversity 
Danny Willis, Dean, College of Nursing 

Vice Chair 
Michelle Fontes, Assistant Vice President, Office of Community, Equity & Diversity* 

Members 
Kamilah A’Vant, Assistant Dean, College of Arts & Sciences* 
Alisa Baron, Assistant Professor, College of Health Sciences 
Ana Barraza, Director, Women’s Center* 
Arden Bastia, Donor Relations & Engagement Specialist, URI Foundation 
Heidi Bucci, Coordinator, Professional and Executive Business Education, College of Business 
Melissa J. Camba-Kelsay, Associate Director, Center for Student Leadership Development 
Ryan Chapman, Assistant Professor, College of Health Sciences 
Jacqueline Christophe-Hayot, Executive Director of Professional and Executive Business Education, College of Business 
Kairy Gonzalez ‘26, Undergraduate Student Representative 
Kerri Ellis, Associate Professor, College of Nursing 
Kristy A. Embrack, Director, Community and Organizational Development, Office of Community, Equity, and Diversity* 
Michael Fitzpatrick, Jr., Director, Labor and Employee Relations, Office of Human Resources 
Robert Flynn, Director, Center for Military and Veteran Education* 
Edward P. Givens, Assistant Director, Talent Development 
Emmett Goods, Associate Professor, College of Arts & Sciences 
Aura Fajardo Grandidge, Assistant Dean, College of the Environment and Life Sciences* 
Alejandro Hazera, Professor, College of Business* 
Tom Hospod, Assistant Director, Virtual Internationalization & Internationalization Initiatives 
Lauren Jensen, Deputy General Counsel, Office of General Counsel 
Jeff Johnson, Associate Athletic Director, Student-Athlete Development* 
Doris Keziah Ndassi, Graduate Student Representative, College of Arts & Sciences^ 
Lisa Macaruso, Associate Director, Academic Testing Center 
Princess Metuge, Assistant Dean, Graduate School of Oceanography* 
Cara Mitick, Associate Director, of Professional and Community Development, Graduate School* 
Jean Nsabumuremyi, Director, Multicultural Student Services Center* 
Chuka Okoye, Assistant Dean, University College for Academic Success* 
Amy Olson, Executive Director, URI Hillel; President, URI Chaplains Association 
Steve Pryzmus, Associate Professor, College of Education 
Jamie Puleo, Anatomy & Physiology Lab Specialist, College of the Environment and Life Sciences 
Mollie Ruben, Assistant Professor, College of Health Sciences Dorca P. Smalley, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity* 
David Smith, Professor, Graduate School of Oceanography 
Aradhana Srinagesh, Graduate Student Representative 
Kimberly Stack, Executive Director, University College of Academic Success 
Deborah Suggs, Director of Admissions 
Cheryl Trudel, Executive Assistant, External Relations and Communications 
Manuela Vadis, Assistant Director, Gender & Sexuality Center* 
Charles Watson, Assistant Dean, Access, Opportunity and Success, College of Engineering * 
Nicole Weiss, Professor, College of Health Sciences 
Nasser Zawia, Professor, College of Health Sciences 

*Steering Committee 
^Served during the 2024-2025 Academic Year 

UDC members are selected from an open nomination process. Self-nominations will be accepted. Nominees will be asked to complete a brief application. A nominating committee composed of CED staff will review applications and make recommendations to the president, ensuring representation from each of the categories outlined above. The president will make the final decision on all members, as confirmed by appointment letters sent to each selected member and their dean, division leader, and direct supervisor. Selected members will be asked to commit to six meetings per academic year (three meetings each semester) and attend subcommittee meetings as needed.

Nominate yourself, classmate, or colleague to serve!

The 19-member University Diversity Council was established in Spring 2020 in response to recommendations from the Community, Equity, and Diversity external review completed September 2018, as well as a proposal developed by an ad hoc working group in summer 2019.

Diversity Council ARCHIVE