The EDI Council, composed of students, faculty, and staff, was formed from the Summer Advisory Group on Racial Justice supported by President James Troha. Council members are charged with considering the needs of Juniata’s students and community and addressing racial justice and inequality.

The Council is led by chair Reggie Onyido, acting director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, along with co-chair Territa Poole, assistant professor of psychology. Members include Jarrin Jeffrey, residential life coordinator, Stacia Fleegal, Baker Institute assistant, Kaleigh Domanick, admission counselor, Josh Carter, head football coach, Elliot Hirshon, EAP coordinator and ESL instructor, Melissa Innerst, assistant professor of statistics and mathematics, Kathy Jones, professor of education, Norris Muth, professor of biology, Dipali Puri, assistant professor of education, Jacoba Rock, assistant professor of social work, criminal justice, and sociology, Dan Dries, associate professor of chemistry, Calvin Bembry II, residential life coordinator, Grace Fala, professor of communication, Hannah Griffith ’21, Alyssa Reed ’23, Alex Forlenza ’22, Zachery Uporsky ’24, and Dawit Mitiku ’24.

The Council’s mission and responsibility is to offer insight and provide support as work toward creating a more diverse, inclusive, and respectful community progresses. Their work focuses on four main areas: Capacity, Community, Constituencies, Curriculum and Co-Curriculum.

In considerations surrounding capacity, EDI Council members will evaluate goals, needs, and strategies at both the student level and that of the entire college. Current and future assets, as well as challenges relating to racial justice and equity, diversity, and inclusion, will be explored and examined.

Community takes into account the physical spaces and mechanisms for BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) students to connect with one another, other student groups, and the Huntingdon community.

Actions, changes, and training will be the focus of work under the area of constituencies. The council will contemplate the needs of various constituencies, including the board of trustees, as policies are examined, established, or altered.

The EDI Council will explore the intersection of racial justice and classroom practices, clubs, activity groups, and sports teams. The members will factor in the need to promote justice in each setting, as well as examining what is currently being done.

Juniata will launch a nationwide search for applicants for our second Dean of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. As the Dean of EDI, the successful candidate will serve as the senior diversity officer for the College and will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive plan for furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion through coordinated efforts to create a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment.