Convened by Michigan Engineering’s Office of Culture, Community and Equity (OCCE)
The Culture, Community and Equity (CCE) Staff Network is comprised of a network of staff that meets on a regular basis with the Culture, Community and Equity Implementation team to work horizontally across Michigan Engineering and improve the lines of communication on topics related to culture, community and equity, ensure the work is not siloed and share resources. The Network consists of full-time staff representing every department/unit at Michigan Engineering. The input from faculty is collected through the already existing Faculty DEI Department Leads. The creation of the CCE Network fulfills one of the recommended next steps in the College’s DEI Culture Shift.
Expected Commitment:
- Attend monthly meetings.
- Collaborate on refining the mission and scope of the Network.
- Provide input on the topics being discussed by the Network, and secure department/unit’s authorization when necessary.
- Debrief with the academic department DEI Faculty Leads, if applicable.
- Prepare a simple bi-annual report out of the department/unit’s CCE accomplishments, barriers, support needed, questions, etc.
- Contribute to consistent updating of CoE DEI Mapping project.
- Pre-read materials (as needed) prior to meetings.
Current Members
Last updated on Tuesday, February 20, 2024
ADGPE: Eric Rutherford (He/Him)
Strategic Planning and Implementation Specialist, Associate Dean for Graduate & Professional Education (ADGPE)
“I have been engaged with multiple DEI initiatives since I joined the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate & Professional Education and serving in this group presents an opportunity to connect and collaborate with people across CoE who have a shared investment in this work.”
ADUE: John Callewaert (He/Him)
Director of Strategic Projects, Office of Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education (ADUE)
“Being a part of the CCE is a great opportunity to share the work going on in undergraduate education and learn about the efforts being made by units across the College. This exchange will significantly accelerate our DEI work.”
AERO: Liza Roberts (She/Her)
DEI Program Coordinator, Aerospace Engineering (AERO)
BI: Elizabeth Herness Peters (She/Her)
Managing Director, Bionterfaces Institute (BI)
“Inclusivity, workplace diversity, equity, and employee safety are of paramount importance to me. In moments of turbulence when workplace culture and climate are at stake, I strive to steward people through a safe and respected avenue for voicing concerns. I can only do this with the help of those who also share the same commitment to these core values. The CCE provides the network, best practices, and learning opportunities to help me develop equitable practices in my role as a director, and to be a true advocate for system-wide growth in this space.”
CAEN: Rose Moya (She/Her)
Senior Project Manager, CAEN
“It is an honor to be the CAEN representative on the CCE Network. I look forward to being a part of a team that works to create a culture that leverages diversity to its fullest potential so that every student, faculty and staff member can have a sense of belonging regardless of their background.”
CEE: Jordan Marshall (She/Her)
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Program Coordinator, Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
CFE: Nick Moroz (He/Him/His)
Director of Entrepreneurial Practice, Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE)
“The vision of the CFE is to ensure that every member of the U-M community achieves their full entrepreneurial potential to maximize positive impact on the world. Accessibility, inclusivity, and a strong culture of belonging is central to that mission. Serving as a CCE Network Lead allows me to share the best practices of the CFE with other units and to gain further best practices to strengthen the effectiveness of the CFE team and programs.”
ChemE: Isabel Enad (She/Her)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Coordinator, Chemical Engineering (ChemE)
“As a DEI practitioner, my goal is to center the voices of students who represent a diverse array identities, backgrounds, and stories. I’m excited to join the CCE Network to partner with others who are equally committed to helping the college move forward with an equity based lens that fosters sustainable, lasting change.”
CRLT-Engin: Patricia Jaimes (She/Her/Ella)
Assistant Director for DEI, CRLT-Engineering/ADUE
“In my current role, I co-lead DEI initiatives in the college of engineering as it relates to teaching and learning. I consult with, and develop workshops and other programming, for instructors to support them in incorporating equity-focused teaching strategies (which are evidence-based, best practices) into their curriculum.”
CSE: Sarah Snay (She/They)
Outreach and DEI Administrative Coordinator, Computer Science & Engineering (CSE)
“I’m excited to serve as a CCE Network Lead to share CSE’s DEI initiatives and learn from other departments’ efforts, with a focus on metrics and improving what we do!”
CSE: Taj Williams (He/Him)
DEI Project Manager, Computer Science & Engineering (CSE)
C&M: Jessica Petras (She/Her)
Internal Communications Specialist, Office of Communications & Marketing (C&M)
“Through the CCE Network, I am excited to learn about DEI developments around the College that the Office of Communications & Marketing could share with a wider audience through our platforms.”
Dean’s Office: DaKayla Whitten (She/Her)
Events Coordinator and Graphic Designer, Dean’s Office
ECE: Hayley Hanway (She/Her)
Marketing & Communications Specialist — Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE)
LNF: Sandrine Martin (She/Her)
Managing Director — Lurie Nanofabrication Facility (LNF)
(MC)2: Deanna Hecht (She/Her)
Administrator, Michigan Center for Materials Characterization ((MC)²)
(MC)2: Bobby Kerns (He/Him)
Center Manager, Michigan Center for Materials Characterization ((MC)²)
“Many of us are drawn to the University of Michigan with an interest in serving others, whether that is serving a community of scholars or the larger cultural community. There is no better way to serve than make sure everyone has a place in our efforts. I am excited to be a part of the CCE Network as a means to learn how to go about life with DEI at the forefront, as well as learning how to better support my staff and recruit others into a DEI mindset.”
ME: Susan J. Cheng (She/Her/Hers)
Manager of Diversity and Inclusion, Mechanical Engineering (ME)
MSE: Sahar Farjami (She/Her)
Laboratory/Classroom Services Supervisor an Adjunct Lecturer, Materials Science & Engineering (MSE)
NAME: Anika Szuszman(She/Her)
Assistant Director of the Marine Hydrodynamic Laboratory, Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering (NAME)
“I am absolutely thrilled to be serving as a CCE Network Lead for our department. My primary objective in this role is to cultivate a strong bridge of interaction that connects our students, staff, and faculty to the broader campus DEI initiative. I am greatly motivated to initiate meaningful dialogues surrounding DEI issues that resonate with our community with the hope to gain insights, create understanding, and encourage intellectual growth.”
OSA: Debby Covington (She/Her)
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Equity Initiatives, Office of Student Affairs (OSA)
ROB: Daniel Newman (He/Him)
Communication Specialist, Michigan Robotics (ROB)
“Achieving greater impact through leveraging all our individual efforts and making concrete steps to improving campus culture.”
RPM: Bakari O Wooten (He/Him)
Facilities Manager, Resource Planning & Management (RPM)
“What motivated me to serve as a CCE Network Lead is the opportunity to take an active role in identifying and resolving inequities, at Michigan Engineering, within the scope of DEI.”
UMTRI: Tracey Branam (She/Her)
HR Generalist, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI)
“I am very excited to have this opportunity to be a CCE Staff Network lead. I am so grateful to be able to share, learn, and connect with other staff members across the college that have a common goal to make a positive impact in DEI within Michigan Engineering.”
