School of Integrative Studies
https://arie.sitemasonry.gmu.edu/
enMason Lighting the Way: Deion Maith
https://arie.sitemasonry.gmu.edu/news/2022-01/mason-lighting-way-deion-maith
<span>Mason Lighting the Way: Deion Maith</span>
<span><span>Colleen Rich</span></span>
<span>Wed, 01/12/2022 - 14:46</span>
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<div class="field__item"><h2><span><span><span><span><span>Mason Lighting the Way</span></span></span></span></span></h2>
<h2><span><span><span><em><span><span>Spotlights from the Task Force</span></span></em></span></span></span></h2>
<p><span><span><span><span><em><span><span><span>More than 130 faculty, staff and students are working on George Mason University’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force, which is taking a hard look at the current state of diversity and inclusivity efforts at the university and making recommendations for the future.</span></span></span></em></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><em><span><span><span>These individuals come from across our campuses and bring their different skill sets and expertise to this work. In this series, we will spotlight members of the task force and find out what drives them.</span></span></span></em></span></span></span></span></p>
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<div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq411/files/2022-01/Deion%20Maith%20-%20image%202.jpg" width="1200" height="800" alt="young man sitting at a red piano" loading="lazy" /></div>
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<figcaption>Mason graduate student Deion Maith. Photo provided</figcaption></figure><h2><span><span><span><span><span>Deion Maith</span></span></span></span></span></h2>
<h2><span><span><span><span><span>Graduate student, Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights</span></span></span></span></span></h2>
<h2><span><span><span><span><span>Committee: Student Voice</span></span></span></span></span></h2>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>George Mason University graduate student Deion Maith said he will never forget July 13, 2013, when he heard on the radio that George Zimmerman had been acquitted of killing Trayvon Martin. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>“That sparked my fire,” said Maith, </span></span></span><span><span><span>a native of Heathsville (</span></span></span><span><span><span>in Virginia’s Northern Neck)</span></span></span><span><span><span>, “knowing that Trayvon could have been me or my younger brother.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>He began researching scholars like James Baldwin, Jane Elliott, and others who have contributed so much to the academic body of work on social justice and human rights. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>When he had the opportunity to meet </span></span></span><span><span><span>Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mother, at the 2018 Sojourner Truth Lecture at Mason, Maith recounted his reaction to her son’s murder. She shook his hand firmly and told him: “</span></span></span><span><span><span>Don’t ever lose that fire. You are our future and don’t let anyone ever tell you different.” </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>Maith joined Mason’s <a href="https://arie.gmu.edu/">Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Task Force</a> because he thinks it’s important to share lived experiences with other students and faculty/staff. </span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>“It’s an amazing opportunity to voice the concerns of students who look like me,” he said. “I’ve always been eager to have a seat at the table where conversation turns into action, and I’m hopeful that the task force can accomplish just that.”</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>Maith, who graduated from Mason with a bachelor’s in integrative studies in 2020, is former president and student advisor of Collegiate Black Men; former undersecretary for Contemporary Student Services, Student Government; and former secretary and student advisor for Mason’s Chapter of NAACP. He’s also been involved with </span></span><span>the </span><span>Black Student Alliance, the Black Male Success Initiative, and the School of Integrative Studies Peer Ambassadors.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>“The main goal of the Student Voice Committee is to make sure we’re effectively receiving feedback from students and figuring out the best way to reach them,” said Maith. Committee members are meeting with registered student organizations and their members, and working with student-focused offices.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>Maith said he’s been pleasantly surprised by the feedback the task force has received from the university community. “Although there has been some backlash, I believe there has been more positivity than anything,” Maith said.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>Maith’s work with the task force motivated him to pursue a graduate assistant position in Mason’s Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment (formally ODIME), where T. Garey Davis, assistant director of coalition building and diversity education, has served as a mentor. </span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>Maith said Davis is passionate about optimizing the student experience for everyone, but especially students who belong to historically marginalized groups, and together they have built a team to improve Black male success at Mason.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>“Promoting social justice and human rights doesn’t exclude anyone,” he said. “It includes everyone no matter your race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, etc. But we must self-reflect and take accountability for the ways in which we benefit and contribute to systematic and institutional racism to move forward.” </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Maith has accepted a role at Cooley LLP in Washington, D.C., a Fortune 500 global law firm. After he graduates this fall, he plans to </span></span></span><span><span><span>pursue a law degree at Howard University.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
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<div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/136" hreflang="en">Students</a></div>
<div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/446" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div>
<div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/71" hreflang="en">President's Task Force on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence</a></div>
<div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/176" hreflang="en">School of Integrative Studies</a></div>
<div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/441" hreflang="en">Center for Culture Equity and Empowerment</a></div>
<div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/511" hreflang="en">diversity equity and inclusion DEI</a></div>
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Wed, 12 Jan 2022 19:46:58 +0000Colleen Rich236 at https://arie.sitemasonry.gmu.eduThe Complete List of Members of the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Task Force
https://arie.sitemasonry.gmu.edu/news/2020-09/complete-list-members-anti-racism-and-inclusive-excellence-arie-task-force
<span>The Complete List of Members of the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Task Force</span>
<span><span>John Hollis</span></span>
<span>Wed, 09/02/2020 - 12:45</span>
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<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Anti-Racism Inclusive Excellence</strong></p>
<p><strong>TASK FORCE</strong></p>
<p><em>“George Mason University will become a national exemplar in anti-racism inclusive excellence.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Task Force Chairs</strong></p>
<p>Wendi Manuel-Scott – Associate Professor (CHSS)</p>
<p>Shernita Parker – Assistant Vice President for Human Resources</p>
<p><strong>Task Force Members</strong></p>
<p>Ignacia Moreno – Board of Visitor’s member</p>
<p>Zofia Burr – Dean, Honors College</p>
<p>Shelby Adams – President of Student Government (UG)</p>
<p>Laurence Bray - Associate Provost for Graduate Education</p>
<p>Van Bailey – Assistant Dean, Director of Diversity and Inclusion (UL</p>
<p>Christopher Carr – Chief Diversity Officer (VSE)</p>
<p>Charles Chavis – Asst. Professor of Conflict Resolution and History (Carter School) </p>
<p>Shannon Davis – Faculty Senate Chair</p>
<p>Elizabeth DeMulder – Professor and Academic Program Coordinator (CEHD</p>
<p>Na’ama Gold – Executive Director, Mason Hillel</p>
<p>Nance Lucas – Executive Director, Center for the Advancement of Well-Being </p>
<p>Creston Lynch – Associate Dean (UL)</p>
<p>Holly Mason – Coordinator of Graduate Programs Admissions & Fiscal Management</p>
<p>Christy Pichichero – Associate Professor & Director of Faculty Diversity (CHSS)</p>
<p>Lauren Reuscher – Community Manager, University Information, (Communications)</p>
<p>Millie Rivera – <span><span><span><span>Director of Faculty Diversity, Inclusion and Well-Being,</span></span></span></span> (FA&D)</p>
<p>Kevin Rockmann – Professor of Management (Business)</p>
<p>Craig Sawyer – Director, Corley Institute for Diversity and Inclusion Education (Law)</p>
<p>Bethany Usher – Associate Professor for Undergraduate Education</p>
<p>Gerald Weatherspoon – Chair, Chemistry and Biology (COS)</p>
<p>Mariely Lopez-Santanna – Associate Professor (Schar)</p>
<p>Rachel Wernicke – Chief Mental Health Officer (UL)</p>
<p>Ayondela McDole – Graduate Student</p>
<p>Robyn Madar – Director, Organizational Development and Learning (HR)</p>
<p>Cynthia Fuchs – Interim Director, Film and Video Studies (CVPA)</p>
<p>Rebekah Hersch – Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation </p>
<p>Emily Ihara – Associate Professor and Chair (CHSS)</p>
<p>Nena Rogers – Sr. Associate Director, Student Services (Athletics)</p>
<p>Tehama Lopez-Bunyasi – Assistant Professor (Carter School)</p>
<p>Lauren Cattaneo – Associate Professor (CHSS)</p>
<p>Gesele Durham – Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Planning</p>
<p>Bill Dracos – Associate Vice President for Business Services</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Anti-Racism Inclusive Excellence Committees</strong></p>
<p><strong>Training & Development</strong>: The Training & Development committee’s charge is to enhance, develop, recommend, and integrate anti-racism and inclusive excellence training. Currently, implicit bias and anti-discrimination training occurs in various units within the university. This committee should work with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, as well as University Life, to assist schools and units with tailored training and workshops to meet individualized needs. </p>
<p>C<strong>ommittee Co-chairs:</strong> </p>
<p>Christopher Carr - Chief Diversity Officer (VSE)</p>
<p>Robyn Madar - Director, Organizational Development and Learning (HR)</p>
<p>Charles Chavis - Asst. Professor of Conflict Resolution and History (Carter School) </p>
<p><strong>Committee Members </strong> </p>
<p>Millie Rivera - <span><span><span><span>Director of Faculty Diversity, Inclusion and Well-Being</span></span></span></span> (FA&D)</p>
<p>Kyle Warfield- Equal Opportunity Specialist (CDE)</p>
<p>Khaseem Davis-Director, Early Identification Program (UL)</p>
<p>Julie Owen-Assoc. Professor, Leadership and Integrated Studies (CHSS)</p>
<p>Jennifer Shelton (alum)</p>
<p>Brandi Blake- Assistant Director, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education (staff)</p>
<p>Hamal Strayhorn - Director, Coalition Building and Diversity Education (UL)</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Campus & Community Engagement</strong>: The Campus & Community Engagement committee is charged with developing, implementing, and supporting programs that promote access, diversity, equity, and inclusion through campus and community partnerships. This committee will establish guidance for engaging the university and broader communities in the ARIE work. Further, it will leverage Mason’s unique position in Northern Virginia and the National Capital Region to recommend and implement strategies that create long-term and sustainable change at Mason and our surrounding communities.</p>
<p><strong>Committee Co-chairs </strong></p>
<p>Creston Lynch-Associate Dean (UL) </p>
<p>Elizabeth DeMulder- Professor and Academic Program Coordinator (CEHD</p>
<p>Nance Lucas- Executive Director, Center for the Advancement of Well-Being </p>
<p><strong>Committee Members </strong> </p>
<p>Hansel Aguilar-Graduate Student (CHSS)</p>
<p>Jesse Guessford- Associate Director, Undergraduate Education </p>
<p>Colby Grant- Operations Coordinator, SciTec (staff) </p>
<p>Michael Guston- Police LT., Police & Public Safety </p>
<p>Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon- Director, Educational & Career Pathways (COS) </p>
<p>Kimberly Holmes- Associate Dean for Student Affairs (CHHS) </p>
<p>Sheherazade Jafari-Director, Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution</p>
<p><a href="https://cvpa.gmu.edu/events/arts-context" target="_blank">Kristin Johnsen-Neshati</a>- Associate Professor (CVPA) </p>
<p>George Oberle - History Librarian (University Libraries) </p>
<p>Lisa Snyder- Associate Director, Leadership Education and Development (UL)</p>
<p>Janae Johnson (alum)</p>
<p>Julie Choe Kim- Director, Graduate Student Life (UL)</p>
<p>Dann Sklarew- Director Sustainability Initiatives</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>University Policies and Practices</strong>: The university policies and practices committee is charged with identifying systemic inequities within Mason’s policies, practices, processes, and procedures to enable needed change. The committee will develop and implement an action plan for achieving meaningful, long-term structural change and accountability throughout the university community. </p>
<p><strong>Committee Co-chairs</strong> </p>
<p>Christy Pichichero - Associate Professor & Director of Faculty Diversity (CHSS)</p>
<p>Millie Rivera- <span><span><span><span>Director of Faculty Diversity, Inclusion and Well-Being</span></span></span></span> (FA&D)</p>
<p>Cheryl Druehl- Associate Dean of Faculty (Business)</p>
<p><strong>Committee Members </strong> </p>
<p>Juliet Blank Godlove- Dean of Students (UL)</p>
<p>Christopher Carr - Chief Diversity Officer (VSE)</p>
<p>Susan Hirsch- Professor (Carter)</p>
<p>Joshua Kinchen- Associate Director of LGBTQ+ Resources, ODIME (staff) </p>
<p>Michelle Lim- Assistant VP (HR)</p>
<p>Dan Taggert – Director, Human Resources and Employee Relations (COS) </p>
<p>Xiaomei Cao – (Faculty Senate rep)</p>
<p>Tiffany O’Neal- Assistive Technology Program Support Specialist (CDE)</p>
<p>Zavin Smith (alum) </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Curriculum & Pedagogy</strong>: The curriculum and pedagogy committee is charged with recommending, helping to develop, and/or expanding current curriculum that prepare students to not only understand and address systemic racism and values a multi-cultural world, But also a curriculum that is in intentionally inclusive of the diverse scholars and voices that contribute to the academy.</p>
<p><strong>Committee Co-chairs</strong> </p>
<p>Lauren Cattaneo- Associate Professor (CHSS) </p>
<p>Tehama Lopez-Bunyasi- Assistant Professor (Carter School)</p>
<p>Van Bailey- Assistant Dean, Director of Diversity and Inclusion (UL) </p>
<p> <strong>Committee Members </strong> </p>
<p>LaNitra Berger- Senior Director, Office of Fellowship (UG Ed);</p>
<p>LaTisha Elcock- Administrative Assistant, Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities (staff)</p>
<p>Melissa Broeckelman-Post- Director, Basic Course/Faculty, Communication (CHSS)</p>
<p>Al Fuertes – Associate Professor (CHSS)</p>
<p>Mark Hopson- Director, African and African American Studies (CHSS) </p>
<p>Shelley Reid- Director for Teaching Excellence (Stearns Center) </p>
<p>Derek Sweetman- Graduate Student Lecturer (CHSS, Carter School)</p>
<p>Kristen Wright- Director of Civic Engagement (UG Ed)</p>
<p>Kelly Knight – Professor/STEM Accelerator (COS);</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Student Voice</strong>: Students often experience racism and bigotry in the university setting differently than faculty and staff<strong>. </strong>While students will be included on the larger taskforce, the student voice committee will allow for more input from student leaders from across the university on the student experience and campus climate. Student voices will support and enhance the work of the ARIE and share the task force work with their constituencies. Additionally, the student voice committee will participate in a student engagement campaign and provide input into additional faculty/staff training beyond curriculum and pedagogy.</p>
<p><strong>Committee Co-Chairs</strong></p>
<p>Shelby Adams - President, Student Government (undergraduate student)</p>
<p>Rose Pascarell- Vice President, University Life</p>
<p><strong>Committee Members</strong></p>
<p>Austin A. Deray -Doctoral Candidate</p>
<p>Sharrell Hassell-Goodman -Doctoral Candidate</p>
<p>Joshua Miller- Undergraduate Student</p>
<p>Tamyra Washington – Undergraduate Student</p>
<p>Kat Trejo – Undergraduate Student</p>
<p>Avery Ransome – Undergraduate Student</p>
<p>James Condo- Vice President Pride Alliance</p>
<p>Deion Maith- President of Collegiate Black Men</p>
<p>Domonique Dowling- Vice President, NAACP</p>
<p>Nautia Smalls- Student Government</p>
<p>Yessica Tello- President, Hispanic Student Association</p>
<p>Justin Suegay - Former President-APAC</p>
<p>Paola Choque Villarroel- Hispanic Student Association</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Research</strong>: The research committee will promote an inclusive community that advances the meaningful contributions of diverse perspectives and views to the research, scholarship and creative activities of the campus community. This committee will establish guidelines and work with colleges and schools to promote diversity and inclusion in all areas of research, scholarship and creative activities across campus. Additionally, they are charged with establishing programs, opportunities and formal mentorships to increase historically underrepresented candidates. Finally, the committee will look at Mason's engagement in innovation and economic development activities to ensure that inclusive excellence is core to the entrepreneurship and economic development activities.</p>
<p><strong>Committee Chairs</strong></p>
<p>Laurence Bray- Associate Provost for Graduate Education</p>
<p>Rebekah Hersch – Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation </p>
<p><strong>Committee Members</strong> </p>
<p>Ben Carton- Associate Professor (CHSS) </p>
<p>Toya Frank- Associate Professor (CEHD)</p>
<p>Rosemary Higgins- Associate Dean for Research (CHHS) </p>
<p>John Hollis – Communications Officer (staff) </p>
<p>Aditya Johri – Professor, Information Sciences & Technology (VSE) </p>
<p>Jessica Kallista - Founder/Curator/Art Instigator (CVPA)</p>
<p>Jessica Rosenberg- Associate Professor (COS) </p>
<p>Michele Schwietz - Associate Dean for Research (CHSS) </p>
<p>Paula Sorrell - Associate Vice President, Office of Research</p>
<p>Bonnie Stabile - Research Associate Professor (Schar)</p>
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Wed, 02 Sep 2020 16:45:00 +0000John Hollis111 at https://arie.sitemasonry.gmu.edu