Diane R. Wiener, Barry L. Wells Appointed Co-Chairs of Council on Diversity and Inclusion

Diane R. Wiener, director of the Disability Cultural Center, and Barry L. Wells, special assistant to the Chancellor, have been appointed co-chairs of the new Council on Diversity and Inclusion by Chancellor Kent Syverud.

Diane Wiener

The appointments follow the creation of the Universitywide Council, whose membership was announced in September. Establishing the council was one of 18 short-term recommendations made earlier this year by the Chancellor’s Workgroup on Diversity and Inclusion.

“I am grateful to Diane and Barry for their outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing diversity, inclusion and equity at Syracuse University,” says Chancellor Syverud. “This council is critically important to creating a more inclusive and supportive campus climate. I look forward to working with Diane, Barry and all the members of the council.”

The council is the Chancellor’s primary advisory committee on matters of critical diversity and inclusion. It also is a resource for academic and non-academic units alike. In addition to implementing recommendations from the Chancellor’s Workgroup, the council works to improve the overall campus climate and to enhance diversity among students, faculty and staff.

Barry Wells

The council is made up of representatives from departments, programs and offices campus wide. In addition to Wells and Wiener, the members are as follows:

• Tammy Bluewolf-Kennedy, admissions counselor/Native American liaison in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions;
• Patricia A. Burak, director of the Slutzker Center for International Services and assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences;
• Maureen Casey, chief operating officer of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families;
• the Rev. Pedro Castro Jr., Historically Black Church chaplain at Hendricks Chapel;
• Shiu-Kai Chin, professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and vice chair of the board of directors of InterFaith Works of Central New York;
• Francine D’Amico, associate professor in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and chair of the Senate Committee on LGBT Concerns;
• James Duah-Agyeman, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, chief diversity officer for the Division of Student Affairs and chair of the University Senate Committee on Diversity;
• Bea González, dean of University College and special assistant to the Chancellor;
• Tiffany Gray, director of the LGBT Resource Center;
• Margaret Himley, associate provost of international education and engagement;
• Aaron Hodukavich, director and ADA coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services;
• Sheila Johnson-Willis, interim chief, Equal Opportunity and Title IX Officer;
• Peta Long, Graduate Student Organization representative (vice president of external affairs);
• Paula MacDonald, associate director for organizational development and training in the Office of Human Resources;
• Angela Morales-Patterson, assistant director for alumni and donor engagement in the Office of Program Development;
• Paula M. Possenti-Perez, director of the Office of Disability Services;
• LaVonda N. Reed, associate provost for faculty affairs and professor in the College of Law;
• Diasia Robinson, Student Association representative (director of diversity affairs);
• Christabel Osei-Bobie Sheldon, director of the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program); and
• Robert Wilson, director of the Student Support Services Program.

To learn more about initiatives underway to enhance diversity on the Syracuse University campus, please visit http://diversity.syr.edu.