AU Anti-Racism Task Force - 10/30/2023

Conversation Overview

Join us for an engaging discussion with the Antioch University Anti-Racism Task Force leaders, Pia Alexander and Maria-Judith Rodriguez Herrera, as we reflect on the Task Force’s recently published Year 2 Report, the difficulties it has encountered, and the prospects for the future.

Maria-Judith Rodriguez Herrera, MA/MBA serves as the Vice Chancellor for Human Resources at Antioch University. In this role, she oversees all aspects of the HR function and sets the strategic direction and efforts in alignment with the institution’s mission and growth directions.

Prior to Antioch, she served as Chief HR Officer and Title IX deputy Coordinator at Amherst College for a decade and earlier headed HR at the Puerto Rico-based Arecibo Observatory, a research center managed by Cornell University. She has a diverse professional background, which includes experiences within a variety of industries including education, consulting, pharmaceutical and manufacturing. She holds her MA in Industrial Organizational Psychology from the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico and her MBA in Human Resources Management from the University of Phoenix.

Maria-Judith reports directly to the Chancellor and serves on the Chancellor’s Executive Team. She believes HR plays a critical strategic role in key areas of institutional success by fostering individual and organizational development, leading strategic efforts, and nurturing a work culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. She also believes in the importance of being an active citizen through community work, both professionally and personally.

Pia Alexander joined Antioch University New England in 2021 as a member of Teaching Faculty in the Couple and Family Therapy program, where she was previously awarded the President’s Doctoral Fellowship as a PhD student in the Couple and Family Therapy program.

Pia is a practicing New York State licensed marriage and family therapist in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and she serves as a family wellness educator and clinical justice advocate with multiple community-based service and social justice organizations.

Pia has advanced clinical training in trauma-focused systemic modalities and medical family therapy. Her primary research interest is in applying critical social theories to better understand and support maternal mental health and reproductive health for African American women and families. She sees this work as benefitting all members of our shared communities.