President Philomena V. Mantella, far left, addresses members of the
faculty and staff affinity groups.
Image credit - Amanda Pitts
President Mantella commends affinity group leaders for their inclusion and equity work
Jul 26, 2019
Kin Ma from the Asian Faculty and Staff Association presents President
Mantella with a graduation cord.
Image credit - Amanda Pitts
Takeelia Garrett, left, and Nikki Gaines, center, from the Black Faculty
and Staff Association present President Mantella with a kente stole.
Image credit - Amanda Pitts
Cael Keegan and Kyle Felker with the LGBT Faculty and Staff Association
present President Mantella with a rainbow tassel.
Image credit - Amanda Pitts
Adriana Almanza with the Latino/a Faculty and Staff Association presents
President Mantella with a sarape stole.
Image credit - Amanda Pitts
Andrea Riley-Mukavetz with the Native American Advisory Council presents
President Mantella with a stole.
Image credit - Amanda Pitts
Kate Stoetzner and Naoki Kanaboshi with International Faculty and
Friends present President Mantella with a pineapple, an international
sign of hospitality.
Image credit - Amanda Pitts
Image credit - Amanda Pitts
President Philomena V. Mantella said the university is enriched by diversity and thanked members of the faculty and staff affinity groups for their hard work and dedication.
Mantella addressed the group at a leadership lunch July 26 in the Mary Idema Pew Library.
"I know you take on students who identify with you in very deep ways, and I know it is a very important responsibility," said Mantella. "I am moved by your presence, your work and your commitment. And, I'm excited about what we are going to do together."
Affinity groups are an initiative of the Division of Inclusion and Equity, with support from Human Resources. They host events, mentor students and foster a sense of community.
Five of the nine affinity groups hold graduation ceremonies to celebrate the achievements, traditions and culture of diverse graduates.
Mantella said she wants to build on the excellent work done through the university climate studies and retention efforts.
"It's an awesome responsibility to be on the cutting edge, and that's where the community sits with the work you are doing," Mantella said.
A new climate study will be distributed to the Grand Valley community November 14-24.
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