Assistant Director of the Center for Women & Gender Equity

Lariesha Lee (she/her/hers) is the Assistant Director educating, supporting, and empowering students to lead their authentic lives, helping the campus and community with gender justice and intersectionality. Lariesha coordinates programs in the Center such as NIARA,  GVSU's student-parent advocacy, the annual Girls of Color Summit, and Replenish, the on-campus food resource. 

Lariesha received her Associate of Arts degree from Grand Rapids Community College, transferred to Grand Valley State University, and completed both Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University. She has received extensive leadership, advocacy, and community organizational training from the Urban Core Collective's Transformational Leaders Program. She is a volunteer mentor at the Women's Resource Center. As a Mentor, she provides one-on-one counseling and encouragement while helping mentees reach their goals and overcome barriers using community resources. 

Lariesha is passionate about impacting the 49507 community, uplifting and alleviating oppression with purposeful work and thorough research to tell the authentic narratives of ALL identities. Her goal is to allow those she serves to lead her practice allowing them autonomy, empowerment,  and reclaiming their lives. She uses multicultural inclusive techniques outside Western mental health and healing norms. Lariesha's personal and professional interests are disparities in minority women and LGBTQ+ health and infant mortality,  gender justice, decolonization of systems, criminal justice reform, promotion of mental health in communities of color, and racial equity in all areas of daily life. 

Make an appointment with Lariesha HERE

Full-Time Position: Assistant Director 
Office Address: 1201 Kirkhof Center 
Phone: (616) 331-2841
Email: [email protected]

The Center for Women & Gender Equity Graduate Assistant (CWGE GA)

Benjamin Ohene (He/Him/His) is a graduate student in the school of community leadership and development pursuing a Master program in Public Administration. He is passionate about social justice and advocacy. Ohene coordinates Replenish, the on- campus basic needs resource center, and assists with programming at the Center for Women and Gender Equity.

Ohene received his bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in English from the University of Ghana, Legon, in Ghana, West Africa. He has great passion for planning, coordinating, and organizing programs and events for the purpose of advocacy. In his home country, he has led various fundraiser and donation activities for the benefit of some disadvantaged members of his local community in his time served as Vice President of the National Union of Presbyterian students Ghana (NUPS-G) at the University of Ghana.

As a Public Administration student and graduate assistant, Ohene is ready to use the experiences he would gain to support projects and meaningful interventions geared toward curbing food insecurities and helping people in need. He hopes create a space which helps the equitable distribution of food resources at GVSU to ensure that students, faculty and staff of the GVSU campus community have a sense of belonging.

Replenish Student Assistant

Hello, I'm Denise. I am an undergrad student studying Environmental Sustainability Studies. In addition to my studies, I am President of the GVSU Plant Club and participate in some of the ensembles here on campus playing F-horn. When I'm not on campus you can find me hiking the ravines, riding my bike, or caring for my garden when I'm not around campus. 

Replenish Student Assistant

Mounika Pentukar (she, her) is a diligent student with a background in Computer Science and Engineering, currently pursuing a Master's in Data Science and Analytics at Grand Valley State University. Mounika is a student staff at Replenish, the on-campus basic needs resource center, where she plays a vital role in assisting fellow students who require support accessing essential resources such as food, hygiene products, clothing, and emergency assistance.

Outside of her studies, Mounika has demonstrated her leadership skills and dedication to her community by volunteering with NSS. Mounika also gained valuable experience working as a Data Engineer at Accenture in Hyderabad.

One thing Mounika really appreciates about her job at Replenish is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of fellow students. Additionally, working alongside dedicated colleagues who share a passion for helping others creates a supportive and empowering environment that Mounika truly values.

Clinical Dietetics Practicum

Brianna Robberstad (she/her/hers) is a current student in the Combined Program for a Bachelors in Applied Food and Nutrition and a Masters in Clinical Dietetics. She is passionate about health and helping others. Brianna is interning with the Replenish program to apply her current learning to the program and assisting with the advocacy of the on-campus basic needs center. 

Clinical Dietetics Practicum

Grace Freel (she/her/hers) is a student in the combined degree program for a Bachelor's in Applied Food and Nutrition and a Master's in Clinical Dietetics. She enjoys learning about the power of nutrition and how it effects our wellbeing. Grace is currently an intern at the on-campus basic needs center Replenish for the semester to further her knowledge of nutrition in different settings within the community. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, weightlifting, and playing with her cat Rizzo.