IDEA Committee
IDEA Committee
The Inclusion and Diversity in Education Abroad (IDEA) Committee was formed in Fall 2019 for the purpose of bringing together key partners who could provide feedback and support for the Office of Education Abroad’s goals related to diversity and inclusion. In Spring 2019, the Office of Education Abroad completed Diversity Abroad’s Access, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (AIDE) Roadmap to assess areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. One suggestion from the AIDE Roadmap was to create a committee of partners across campus who could lend different perspectives and guidance as we develop and execute plans for creating an inclusive environment and programming that supports participation by diverse populations.
The current members of the IDEA Committee are as follows:
Maria Jay* (chair), Global Learning Advisor, Office of Education Abroad
jaym01@udayton.edu
Paul Geis, Director, Office of Education Abroad
pgeis1@udayton.edu
Merida Allen, Associate Dean of Students; Executive Director, Multi-ethnic Education and Engagement Center
mallen2@udayton.edu
Megan Woolf, Assistant Director, Multi-ethnic Education and Engagement Center
mwoolf1@udayton.edu
Mary Niebler*, Coordinator of Cross-Cultural Immersions, Center for Social Concern
mniebler1@udayton.edu
Beth Combs, Assistant Director, Flyer Student Services
cahille1@udayton.edu
Kelly Bohrer*, Executive Director, ETHOS Center and Director of Community Relations, School of Engineering
kbohrer1@udayton.edu
Melissa Recht, Access Coordinator, Office of Learning Resources, Disability Services
mrecht1@udayton.edu
Oliver Ferguson, Assistant Director for Inclusive Excellence Initiatives
rferguson2@udayton.edu
Student Representatives (TBD)
Friends of the Committee are as follows:
Sam Surowitz, Director, Military and Veteran Programs and Services
ssurowitz1@udayton.edu
Zachary Lewis, Assistant Professor, Student Success Librarian
zlewis1@udayton.edu
Students may reach out to any member of the IDEA Committee to share ideas or feedback on experiences as they relate to diversity and inclusion in education abroad. Committee members are also happy to discuss aspects of a student’s identity(ies) and their plans for education abroad.
*Members listed with an asterisk (*) are available to advise on specific programs related to their office.