Our people
Office of Equity and Inclusion Faculty and Staff Heading link
Rosalba “Rose” Hernandez, PhD (she/her)
Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion
“We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced. Equality and inclusion ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and valued.”
– Malala Yousafzai
▶ Click here to schedule a virtual appointment
Charese A. Jackson, MPA (she/her)
Assistant Director for Urban Health Program
“If we would learn and practice humility more than we practice pride, we would be surprised at just how much we could accomplish.”
– Edgar J. Mohn
Sarah Brand-Reid (she/they)
Administrative Assistant
“If you want a strong society, it has to be inclusive. If you have to push a boulder up a hill, do you want 10 people or 100? If you weed out color or gender, you get 10.”
– Cyndi Lauper
Click here to schedule 30-minute technical assistance call with Office of Equity and Inclusion
Karen Cotler, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP
Chair, UIC Nursing Equity and Inclusion Committee
Valerie L. Howard (she/her)
Business Administrative Associate
“We, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves.”
– Barbara Jordan
Equity and Inclusion Committee Heading link
The Equity and Inclusion Committee establishes goals and strategies for the College in order to cultivate and maintain a more diverse student body, staff, and faculty in line with the College’s Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. They develop and review benchmarks and collect data, organize diversity forums and trainings for faculty, staff, and students, and collaborate with departments, regions, and offices to ensure alignment.
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Karen Cotler, Chair
Sarah Brand-Reid, Staff Assoc.
Valerie Howard, Staff Assoc.
Alisha Carter
Charese Smith
Dawn Sarginson
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Eric Osei
Jill Corr
Karla Lebedoff
Laura Monahan
Liz Aquino
Mara Clarke
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Nadia Robinson
Nicole Springer
Raye Heiberger|
Rose Hernandez
Sarah Fitz
Tina Kavukattu
Who are the Change Champions? Heading link
Change Champions use their personal dedication to equity and anti-racism practice to
1. Support implementation of the College of Nursing’s Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan and accompanying priorities;
2. Offer valuable guidance to the Associate Dean and the Equity and Inclusion Committee; and
3. Actively embody Equity and Inclusion values in their respective areas of work.
2024 – 2025 Change Champions
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Ariel Smith Malonga
Cathy Leipold
Charese Smith
Dana Blanton
David Cruz
Denise Kent
Edward Drogos
Eleanor Rivera
Gina Juliano
Heather Trotter
Hongjin Li
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Ivy Akpotu
Karen Cotler
Kathryn Vanderzwan
Laura Monahan
Lisa Sharp
Liz Aquino
Marjie Kozlowski
Mark Lockwood
Michael Calik
Monique Williams
Nadia Robinson
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Paige Ricca
Pam Martyn-Nemeth
Randi Singer
Rohan Jeremiah
Sarah Martha
Saria Lofton
Sean Boettcher
Shannon Halloway
Valerie Howard