2023 What's Next DEI Conference Presenters, Panelists, and Moderators
Speaker and moderator list
M. Cristina Alcalde, Ph.D.
Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
Miami University
Cristina Alcalde is Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. She also holds an appointment as professor of global and intercultural studies. In her role as vice president, she provides strategic vision and leadership for a holistic, coordinated approach to inclusive excellence for faculty, staff, and students. Prior to joining Miami, she served as Associate Dean of Inclusion and Internationalization in the College of Arts and Sciences and Marie Rich Endowed Professor in Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Kentucky, where she also designed and directed the Online Graduate Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion. As a scholar-practitioner, she has published widely and speaks nationally and internationally on inclusion, race and racialization, gender violence, migration, exclusion, belonging, and leadership. In addition to journal articles and chapters, her books include Dismantling Institutional Whiteness: Emerging Forms of Leadership in Higher Education (2022); #MeToo and Beyond: Perspectives on a Global Movement (2022); Familia, exclusión y racismo de la peruanidad: la tía Eliana (2022); Peruvian Lives across Borders: Power, Exclusion, and Home (2018); Provocations: A Transnational Reader in the History of Feminist Thought (2015); La mujer en la violencia (2014); and The Woman in the Violence: Gender, Poverty, and Resistance in Peru (2010). Recent shorter pieces on women in leadership positions, re-envisioning leadership in higher ed, and women of color and burnout have appeared in Inside Higher Ed and Ms. Magazine. She is co-editor of the Navigating Careers in Higher Ed Book Series and Editorial Board Member of the Political and Legal Anthropology Review. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and their two cats.
Matthew C. Chaney, Ed.D.
Vice President for Inclusive Excellence
Wright State University
Dr. Matthew C. Chaney is a passionate educator committed to student development and inclusive excellence. A native of Flint, Michigan, he began his career in higher education at Ferris State University over 27 years ago. He is a thought leader on inclusive excellence and models his important work through effective engagement strategies. In addition, Dr. Chaney is a collaborative leader who encourages intentional and inclusive leadership with all university stakeholders, creating spaces where everyone’s humanity is valued, celebrated, and appreciated.
Dr. Chaney has a committed track record of assisting students, faculty, and staff in understanding the value of inclusive excellence and ways to increase their cultural competencies that will contribute to everyone’s growth and development as leaders and lifelong learners. Dr. Chaney has been successful at multiculturalism and inclusion by implementing best practices, strategic planning, creating assessment initiatives, programming, effective management, and building strategic partnerships to advance his work.
Dr. Chaney believes that the key component to diversity and inclusive excellence work begins with intentionality. With that belief, everyone is encouraged to be intentional in their efforts to celebrate diversity. Dr. Chaney currently serves as the Vice President for Inclusive Excellence at Wright State University and is excited to advance the institution’s work relative to inclusion.
Dilip Das, Ph.D.
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
University of Toledo
Dr. Dilip Das joined The University of Toledo in May 2022 bringing his strong commitment to improving diversity, opportunity and belonging through collaboration to lead the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
An alumnus of UToledo, Das led diversity initiatives at the University of Michigan for 15 years as assistant vice provost for equity, inclusion and academic affairs. At the University of Michigan, he co-led a campus-wide diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plan and task forces and implemented a number of task force recommendations to support students with disabilities, Native American students and undocumented students. He also was engaged in projects to create new equity-based recruitment, interviewing and hiring tools.
Das’ career also includes serving as the program officer for the University of Michigan’s Center for South Asian Studies, executive director of the New Canaan Nature Center in Connecticut, director of natural areas and interpretation of the Geneva Park District in Illinois, and director of youth, family and teacher programs at Morton Arboretum in Illinois.
Das has a doctorate in higher education administration from UToledo, a master’s degree in science education from Northern Illinois University, and a bachelor’s degree in biology and teaching certificate from St. Olaf College.
Frank E. Dobson, Jr., Ph.D.
Chief Diversity Officer, Office of Social Justice & Activism
Otterbein University
Frank E. Dobson, Jr., Ph.D. has served as an instructor and administrator at a number of institutions, including Bowling Green State, Vanderbilt, and Wright State. Frank has directed Black cultural centers at two institutions, and led numerous diversity and equity efforts, including the Posse program at Vanderbilt and the Freshman Prep Program at Lafayette College. Frank is involved in community service and activism, including serving as the board chair for the Launch Mentorship program in Nashville, TN. He is also involved in a mentoring program with Westerville South High School. Frank is a published author and scholar, with two novels, The Race is Not Given, 1999 and Rendered Invisible, 2010. He has published numerous scholarly articles, including on such diverse figures as Clint Eastwood, Spike Lee, and Woody Strode. Frank is currently co-authoring a children’s book on the trailblazing congresswoman, Cardiss Collins, one of the first Black women to serve in Congress.
Oliver Ferguson
Assistant Director for Inclusive Excellence Initiatives
University of Dayton
Oliver Ferguson joined the University of Dayton as the Assistant Director for Inclusive Excellence Initiatives in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in June 2022. He brings a decade of higher education experience in international and intercultural programming, with a focus on program development, management and student advising. Previously, Ferguson has been affiliated with University of Illinois, University of Minnesota and Crown College (MN). He holds a BS in Political Science from the University of the West Indies and a Masters in International Development from the University of Pittsburgh.
Jorge Figueroa, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Curriculum & Strategic Initiatives
Texas Woman’s University
Jorge F. Figueroa, Ph.D., is the Vice Provost for Curriculum and Strategic Initiatives at Texas Woman’s University.
He provide leadership for curriculum development undergraduate education, core curriculum, transfer agreements, and scheduling. He oversee first year seminar instruction, college readiness testing, university curriculum committee, the university course inventory, compliance with state and university policies for undergraduate education, and faciliates academic partnerships that supports the strategic mission of the university. Before his appointment as Vice Provost, he was the Associate Dean for Research, Inclusion, and Innovation for the College of Professional Education (COPE) where he oversaw COPE’s international education partnerships, the COPE’s Emerging Leaders Program, and all research, inclusion and innovation activity in the college. He is a Professor of Bilingual and ESL Education in the Department of Teacher Education, Affiliate Faculty to the Department of Literacy and Learning, In addition, he is the advisor for the Bilingual and ESL Education Student Organization (BESO). With over 20 years of experience in higher education, he had trained pre-service and in-service teachers in the North America, Latin America, and Europe. His research focuses in the intersection between emergent technologies and emergent bilinguals with emphasis on extended realities (XR), gamification and game based learning, second language acquisition, culturally responsive/sustaining teaching, and critical pedagogies. His research has appeared in Contemporary Educational Technology, Educación XX1, International Journal of Technology and Educational Innovation, Expert Systems, Digital Education Review, European Researcher, International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, among others. He is an inaugural Fellow of the New Leadership Academy at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, a Fellow at the Executive Leadership Academy at UC-Berkeley, and member of Cátedra ESCALAE at Universidad de Málaga in Spain.
Amoaba Gooden, Ph.D.
Vice President for the Division of Diversity
Kent State University
Amoaba Gooden, Ph.D. is the Vice President for the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She previously served as the chairperson of the Department of Pan-African Studies at Kent State University for nine years.
Gooden’s collegiate journey started at the University Guelph in Toronto, Ontario, where she received her bachelor’s and a master’s degree in history. Shortly thereafter she earned another M.A. in African American Studies, a certificate in Women Studies and her Ph.D. in African American Studies from Temple University. Since then, Gooden has used higher education as a pathway to drive community mobilization and change for racialized and underserved populations.
Gooden’s love for history pushed her to become both a researcher and professor. In the same way, her passion for social justice and social change drives her to explore and speak out about the life experiences of People of African descent and other marginalized and underserved groups. This charge started at the age of 10, when Gooden read a book about Harriet Tubman. Since then, she was always inspired to follow the footsteps of Black liberators, helping oppressed communities find their way. Gooden’s research and teaching interests are focused primarily on migration, identity, barriers to health and health promotion.
Gooden’s works have spanned outside of the nation’s border to include her country of birth, Jamaica, as well as her country of citizenship, Canada. Gooden has worked as a researcher and project coordinator in health promotion for immigrant and Black women at the University of Toronto and community health centers. She has also constructed academic research publications covering immigrant women’s health promotion, African-Caribbean community building, gender and sexual identities in Ghanaian societies, the African Canadian experience and more.
Overall, Gooden’s academic and professional work continues to highlight the narratives and cultural structures of people of African descent and aims to broaden this platform. She is a catalyst for equitable change for disenfranchised people nationally and internationally. Her professional pursuits in the U.S. and Canada have given her a unique perspective and approach to mobilizing social justice. Gooden aims to continue ongoing learning and curate student success while eventually becoming a full professor at Kent State University.
Primrose Igonor, MA
Director: Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Columbus State Community College
Primrose Igonor was born in Uganda. She was raised in South Africa where she qualified as a Clinical Psychologist. Primrose has lived and worked in South Africa, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Canada. She is the Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Columbus State Community College. Primrose is passionate about diversity issues and community building. She is married and has two wonderful sons. Her hobbies include reading, travelling, gardening and attending arts and music festivals.
Adrienne Lyles, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Office of Gender Equity & Inclusion
University of Cincinnati
Dr. Adrienne Lyles serves as Executive Director for Gender Equity & Inclusion and Title IX Coordinator at the University of Cincinnati (“UC”). Dr. Lyles arrived at UC in July 2021 and coordinates and manages UC’s comprehensive response to concerns related to sex/gender, including compliance with Title IX of the Higher Education Act of 1972 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Dr. Lyles completed her undergraduate degrees in Philosophy and English at Iowa State University. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder; her areas of specialization include feminist philosophy, existentialism, and intersectionality. Dr. Lyles earned her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame and is licensed to practice law in Indiana.
Prior to arriving at UC, Dr. Lyles was Associate Director of Equal Opportunity, Senior Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and Associate Teaching Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Iowa State University. At Iowa State, Dr. Lyles was responsible for policy, procedure, and processes related to non-discrimination and anti-harassment as well as affirmative action planning. Dr. Lyles has also taught philosophy at the University of San Diego and Saint Mary’s College (Indiana), served as director of an interdisciplinary social justice education program, and was attorney/owner of a law firm in South Bend, Indiana. Dr. Lyles’ current research areas remediating prejudice and stereotypes in workplace investigations and investigative interviewing best practice.
Julio A. Quintero, Ph.D.
Director for Inclusive Excellence Strategy and Initiatives
University of Dayton
Julio Quintero joined the University of Dayton as the Associate Director for Inclusive Excellence Education and Initiatives in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in 2019. Quintero believes that inclusion relates to a humanistic quest for which understanding is defined as an engagement with different and sometimes contradictory points of view across cultures, locations, and times. Inclusion defies the epistemological mandate –so typical of modern thought– to resolve contradiction for the sake of historical advancement and a linear evolution of ideas. Inclusion does not necessarily strive to synthesize contradiction, but affords a space of dialog and reflection in which diverse points are given equitable treatment. In a truly inclusive environment, polemical discussions give in to an empathetic commitment to respect everyone’s right to belong.
Quintero brings his experience and expertise in curriculum design, management, delivery, and assessment to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. In his role, he assists with the implementation of the Inclusive Excellence Academy, a program for faculty and staff designed to educate and create conversations on the intersections between learning and a positive campus climate. Quintero collaborates closely with the Office’s goal to provide leadership and connect efforts destined to advance the institution’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Prior to joining the University of Dayton, Quintero served as an assistant professor for six years and as an associate professor for five years in two liberal arts institutions, teaching Spanish language and Latin American cultures. Quintero’s areas of interest include the intersections between belonging and cultural manifestations, representation and imagination (particularly in relation to artists and political leaders), utopian and travel literature, and migration within Latin America. He is the author of two books, El poeta en la novela hispanoamericana (2010) and La máquina dictatorial (2016). His articles and reviews in Spanish and English have been published in journals such as Hispania, Hispanic Issues On Line, Istmo, and Revista Hispánica Moderna, among others.
Tiffany Taylor, M.S.Ed.
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
University of Dayton
Tiffany Taylor was appointed University of Dayton’s vice president for diversity and inclusion on January 4, 2022. Taylor is a noted leader in intercultural competence and joined the University of Dayton as an executive director for inclusive excellence education in 2017, before being appointed assistant vice president in 2021.
“Tiffany is accomplished and respected both on campus and off. She brings to this position valuable experience creating and leading comprehensive professional development and training for UD and a broad background working with institutions of higher education, corporations, nonprofits and other organizations across the country,” said University President Eric F. Spina. “She is an excellent colleague, a proven selfless collaborator, and well positioned to advance our shared work to become a more diverse and inclusive community dedicated to the common good.”
Taylor, a Dayton native, has decades of experience leading people to build better cross-cultural relations, navigate cultural diversity, and increase cultural equity. At UD, Taylor has worked to create a culture of collaboration, inclusion and equity through efforts including faculty and staff programming, one-on-one meetings with other campus leaders and relationship building across campus.
Taylor’s professional experience also includes serving as president and founder of the consulting and coaching company, Culture Learning Partners; as senior manager for diversity and organizational capability for Procter & Gamble; as a research associate on multicultural issues in counseling at Fordham University; and presenting nationally on topics related to cultural conversations. Taylor expects to graduate from UD with a doctorate in educational leadership in May 2024.
A graduate of Archbishop Alter High School whose family continues to reside in Dayton, Taylor said coming back to Dayton after her career called her away for more than 30 years has been more exciting than she ever imagined possible.
“Even while I was away, Dayton was always and still is my hometown,” she said. “I am excited to contribute my skills, talents and passions in continuing to build an inclusive campus community steeped in our Catholic and Marianist values. I will continue to anchor the University’s efforts in our collaborations and partnerships with the city of Dayton and surrounding communities.”
