“In addition to expanding diversity in faculty and staff, Smith must make its classrooms and discourse more inclusive and reduce barriers to full participation in its academic and co-curricular offerings.”
from Lives of Distinction and Purpose, A Plan for Smith
Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Floyd Cheung guides the development and administration of all equity- and inclusion-related initiatives and programs at Smith. Among his responsibilities are programming, curricular initiatives, and supporting the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty, staff and student body. A professor of English language and literature and American studies, Cheung was the founding chair of the Five College Asian/Pacific/American Studies Certificate Program. He most recently served as faculty director of the Sherrerd Center for Teaching and Learning. College Hall 302 • 413-585-2141
Assistant to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Queen Lanier is the initial point of contact for the office. She works closely with the vice president to prioritize the workflow of the office, maintain the office budget, and schedule committee and individual meetings for office members. Queen manages all aspects of the office’s day-to-day operations while also serving on the Cromwell Day Committee, Inclusion in Action and the Virtual Community Engagement Team. If you have any questions about the office or need to make an appointment, email Queen. College Hall 302 • 413-585-2141
Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and College Chaplain Reverend Matilda Rose Cantwell served as the senior fellow for interfaith initiatives for three years, working with the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life to promote its theme of justice, identity and social change, collaborating with others to undergird and rejuvenate social justice work with contemplative and reflective practices. She works closely with various religious and nonreligious student organizations on campus, faculty, staff and community partners; and especially enjoys both her collective and one-on-one conversations with students. Matilda holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Lewis and Clark College, a master’s degree from Smith College School for Social Work, and a master of divinity from Yale Divinity School. Helen Hills Hills Chapel • 413-585-4595
Associate Director of Mwangi Cultural Center Sophia Baez fosters the collaboration and coordination of student leadership within the Office of Multicultural Affairs. She is dedicated to creating spaces and programming that recognize and support cultural heritage organizations. Through her work as Associate Director, Sophia is an advisor and resource for students through her work with student coordinators, Unity Presidents’ Council (UPC), Unity Organizations, and the Bridge Pre-Orientation Program. Sophia holds a B.A. in History and Italian Studies from Brandeis University and an MA in Educational Policy and Management from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Mwangi Cultural Center • 413-585-4948
Inclusion Education Trainer/Facilitator Toby Davis ’03 is available to provide a variety of trainings to individual departments, groups and the campus as a whole. In addition, Toby serves as the point person and advocate for low income, first generation, trans and gender-nonconforming students. His areas of interest include antiracism, queer and trans liberation, intergroup dialogue and compassionate communication. He holds a B.A. from Smith College and an M.Ed in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts, as well as a certificate in Social Justice Mediation. His office hours are Mondays 2:30-4pm or by appointment. College Hall 307 • 413-585-6261
Program and Outreach Coordinator Raven Fowlkes-Witten serves as the point person and advocate for undocumented, trans and gender non-conforming students. They organize and provide resources for these groups as well as advise and support students as needed. Raven oversees the office social media and is excited by campus programs centered around equity and inclusion. Please email them to schedule an appointment. College Hall 307 • 413-585-6260
Action Planning Project Coordinator and Facilitator
Marjorie Valdivia serves as the point person to support individual departments in their efforts of developing their racial justice action plans. She is available to provide a variety of trainings to individual departments. She holds an M.Ed and PH.D in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and has ten years of experience in the field of social justice education. Marjorie is the co-author of a chapter intended to support educators and community leaders to teach about race and racism in the book Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice. In addition, she recently collaborated on a book chapter that focuses on providing pedagogical approaches on how to teach about class and classism for the upcoming fourth edition of Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice. As a social justice educator she is committed to developing, promoting an inclusive learning community that is caring, supportive and welcoming, and fosters interests and commitment to equity and inclusion. Her office hours are Wednesdays 2-4 or by appointment in College Hall 307
Dean of Multicultural Affairs Dean Richmond is responsible for the strategic leadership, vision, and management of multicultural affairs. She is devoted to programs and policies that maximize student personal development and academic excellence opportunities. Dean Richmond oversees the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program, Emergency Fund, the Mwangi Fund, and all multicultural student-directed services. Mwangi Cultural Center 105 • 413-585-4945
Administrative Assistant Rebecca Weber provides administrative, budget and project support to all aspects of the Office of Multicultural Affairs operation and the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program. Mwangi Cultural Center 101 • 413-585-4948
Hearts. Minds. Systems. That’s what we get to work on in the Office for Equity and Inclusion. Learn about some of our efforts in the 2021–22 academic year.
In this time of urgent racial crisis, we emerge from ongoing planning into powerful action.
With recommendations from our Toward Racial Justice at Smith plan, Smith College continues its commitment to transparency, to inclusivity and to racial justice at Smith. Informed by student, staff and faculty voices to Inclusion in Action work, as well as student and alumnae/i demands, discussions with the Inclusion Council and Presidents’ Cabinet, the college commits to action.