DEIB Councils

In this Section

Mission for DEIB Council

Mission

Mission

Is a diverse group of employees and students, that acts on behalf of Wingate University to ignite and lead the diversity and inclusion process.
Will work closely with leaders across the institution, and help institutionalize human capital and student practices that accelerate and support DEIB goals.
Helps to create strategic accountability for results, provides governance and oversight on diversity efforts, and distribute company-wide communication on progress.
Will integrate the DEIB program with the University’s mission, strategies, operations, and business objectives, ensuring that the values of DEIB pervade every fabric of institutional life and decision-making.
Is a critical driver in fostering real change, establishing a dedicated focus on diversity and inclusion priorities, and managing the DEIB programs. Moreover, the Council will provide platforms for overseeing and assessing the effectiveness of the DEIB initiatives and introducing reform when needed. In short, the council will both create and champion new practices as well as seek to complement existing activities.
Ensure university experiential learning opportunities work to offer broader perspectives (e.g. service learning that steers away from dominant culture-focused programming; study abroad beyond Europe and more programming geared towards multicultural audiences; seeking out underrepresented students for research and internship opportunities, etc.)
Promote ethical marketing/recruitment efforts for equal (but not over) representation of groups.
The Council will connect DEIB activities to a broader, results-oriented strategy.

DEIB Council

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Council's mission is to work together to ignite and lead the diversity and inclusion process at the university. The council serves as a critical driver in fostering change by developing and championing policies, procedures or activities to create a welcoming environment for the campus community. The current members of the council are:

Tanisha Bomani, director of human resources
Dr. Rhett Brown, university president
Dr. Michelle Chaplain, associate dean of academic affairs and associate professor
Dr. Reeti Douglas, assistant professor of occupational therapy
Dr. Tarra Ellis, assistant professor of education
Dr. Carrie Hoefferle, professor of history and dean of Cannon School of Arts & Sciences
Dr. Antonio Jefferson, assistant vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion
Marcus Kirkland, director of diversity and inclusion for athletics
Scott Lail, assistant professor of accounting
Dr. Dana Patterson, chief diversity officer
Ben Sidbury, general counsel and chief of staff
Dr. April Smith, assistant vice president for community standards
Kristin Wharton, executive director of the academic resource center
Jordan Wilson, associate professor of voice
Nana Wolfe-Hill, associate professor and associate director of choral activities

DEIB Council

Tanisha Bomani

Director of Human Resources

Dr. Rhett Brown

President

Dr. Michelle Chaplin

Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Associate Professor

Dr. Reeti Douglas

Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, Assistant Professor

Dr. Tarra Ellis

Associate Professor, Education, History & Education Program Coordinator, edTPA Coordinator

Dr. Carrie Hoefferle

Dean of Arts and Sciences, Professor of History

Dr. Antonio Jefferson

Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Marcus Kirkland

Associate Head Coach, Men's Basketball , Director of Athletics Diversity and Inclusion

Michael Lail

Assistant Professor, Accounting, Advisor, Zeta Tau Academic Honor Society, Advisor, Zeta Tau Academic Honor Society

Dr. Dana Patterson

VP and Chief Diversity Officer

Ben Sidbury

General Counsel and Senior Vice President

Dr. April Smith

Assistant Vice President for Community Standards

Ms. Kristin Wharton

Executive Director of the Academic Resource Center

Jordan Wilson

Associate Professor, Voice

Nana Wolfe-Hill

Associate Professor, Associate Director of Choral Activities

Student DEIB Council

Wingate University's Student Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Council cultivates an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students through action and engagement in anti-discriminatory practices, anti-racism education, student empowerment, and campus integration.

2021-2022 Members

Ra'saun Lakeith Elliott, Vocal Performance, '22
Paris Friday, Doctor of Pharmacy, '23
Carla Gomez Laguna, Political Science, '22
Devansh J. Mehta, Political Science, '24
Janvi Patel, Finance, '23
Terrigin Pompey, Biology, '24
Jayda E. Prezeau, Pre-Med, '23

Taylor Stachnik, Psychology, '22
Jessica Thomas, Biology (Pre-PA), '24
Briana N. Tompkins, Nursing, '23
Emiyah M. Watkins, Political Science, '23
Leila-Therese Woel, Criminal Justice, '23
Alisha Woodside, Doctor of OT, '23