In its current format, the Counseling Center’s internal Social Justice Committee was established in 2016. Ranging from five to seven members, the group serves as a think tank, advising team and consulting body for staff chaired by the Associate Director for Social Justice.
History
Although the current Social Justice Committee was established in 2016, the Counseling Center has a longstanding history of addressing culture both within and outside of the Center under the leadership of Dr. Donnie Cook (previous Counseling Center Director, Associate Vice President of Student Development and Vice President of Student Development; 1993-2020). Dr. Kimberly Ewing (previous Associate Director of Training; 1997-2015) established the Cultural Alliance Steering Committee (CASC) in 2012 aimed at enhancing connections between the Counseling Center, other offices, and student groups to better serve the needs of underrepresented students. Dr. Ewing also provided a division-wide training experience for employees aptly named Identity Exploration Seminar.
Current membership:
- Beth Berenson (she/her), Triage Specialist
- Ethan Sunny Swift (he, him, they, them) Coordinator LGBTQ Services
- Jessica David (she,her) Coordinator of BIPOC Mental Health Services
- Kourtney Bennett (she/her), Associate Director for Training
- Rachael Hartley (she, her), Administrative Assistant
- Ryan Sappington (he/him), Coordinator for Outreach and Public Health
- Whitney Hobson (she/her), Assistant Director for Social Justice (Chair)
- Fr. Joel Kwame (he, him) Doctoral Extern
Previous Committee Members:
- Alexandria Smith (2022-2023)
- Hayley Holloway (2019-2022)
- Sheila Graham (2016-2022)
- Fr. Joseph Ocran (2021-2022)
- Madeline Fischer (2021-2022)
- Brandon Muncy (2020-2022)
- Brad Bryk (2019-2021)
- Frances Mallari (2019-2020)
- Shealyn Blanchard (2018-2019)
- Michael Marquez (2018-2019)
- Claudette Williamson-Taylor (2017-2020)
- Corey Davis (2017-2018)
- Emilie Joseph (2017-2018)
- Joshua Ziesel (2016-2017)
- Kirsten Gonzales (2016-2017)