Strengthening Campus Communities Through the TRHT Framework - 10/21/24

Conversation Overview

The American Association of Colleges and Universities is partnering with higher education institutions to develop Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers to prepare the next generation of leaders to break down systemic racism and dismantle belief in a hierarchy of human value.

In June 2023, Antioch University was one of 52 institutions invited to host a campus center. Come in community and join members of the TRHT Advisory Council to learn about Antioch's TRHT plan and ways that you can connect and get involved in the full integration of the TRHT framework through the Antioch culture that crosses all of our regions, roles and hierarchies.

Dr. Kat Bell, University Director of Writing Support - Kat Bell holds a Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition, with a focus on graduate education and Writing Center Studies. Over the last ten years, she has spent most of her post-graduate career in writing center and writing program administration. Prior to that, she taught public high school in both urban and rural environments. She is passionate about learning and teaching in antiracist pedagogies and truly enjoys collaborating on course design, discussing how to support students from all backgrounds, and doing institutional research to find strengths and opportunities for improving academic culture through increasing equity. As an editor and coach, she focuses on helping students find manageable processes and personal voices in their writing. To her joy and consternation, virtual meetings with Kat almost always feature at least one four-pawed, tuxedo-ed guest.

Kat sits on the University Curriculum Committee, the HLC Accreditation Steering Committee, and the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center Advisory Board at Antioch, in addition to working with the Student Success Symposium, the Inclusive Learning Group, and various other committees

Shontae Walker, Individualized Masters Student- Shontae Walker is an emerging scholar and practitioner whose work is at the intersection of dance/movement therapy, cross-cultural connection, and racial healing. Her educational background includes a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, complimented by a Certificate in Dance, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. In addition, she is currently pursuing an Individualized Master’s degree at Antioch University; her research centers on how movement and embodiment can foster healing and bridge cultural divides. With a diverse professional background in education, community advocacy, and student support, Shontae has dedicated her academic and professional pursuits to fostering inclusive spaces and building cross-cultural understanding. As a trained Racial Healing Circle facilitator, Shontae actively creates spaces where dialogue and transformation can coexist. Her commitment to continuous learning and community engagement is evident in her role as a facilitator of racial healing circles, workshops, speaking engagements, and volunteer activities. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is a strong advocate. She is committed to using her skills to bridge cultural gaps, foster healing, and champion social justice. Her academic insight, professional experience, and community involvement make her a forward-thinking leader.

Pia Alexander, Teaching Faculty- 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.

Maria-Judith Rodriguez, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources- Maria-Judith 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.

Stephanie Helms Pickett, Vice Chancellor, Equity, Belonging and Culture- Stephanie Helms Pickett (she/her) joined Antioch University in January 2024 and serves as the Vice Chancellor, Equity, Belonging and Culture. Stephanie has extensive experience in higher education administration, working at private, public, single-sex, predominantly White, and historically Black institutions of higher education, in residence life, commuter life, multicultural affairs, orientation, leadership, international student affairs, disability services, and academic support services. She served as the Associate Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Practice at North Carolina State University and as the Director of Assessment and Professional Development, as well as the Director of the Women’s Center at Duke University. Dr. Helms Pickett is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Educational Leadership and Higher Education Policy in the College of Education at NC State University and an Adjunct Professor in the Duke University Divinity School. Her research interests are in the areas of higher education policy, women’s engagement, cultural competency, faith, and leadership. She is a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory and uses it in her practice to assist others in developing an intercultural mindset. She presently serves as a member of the BRIDGES Advisory Board, a leadership program advancing women in higher education. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio & Television Broadcasting from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; and a Master’s and Doctorate degree in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University.

Malikeya Khantrece, Doctoral Student- Malikeya Khantrece is a Mitigation Specialist/Investigator for the Federal Public Defender in the Capital Habeas Unit in Western PA. In this work, she serves on the defense team that appeals death penalty sentences. She has worked as a prisoner’s rights advocate, poverty law advocate, and in restorative justice practice as an alternative carceral and punitive discipline. She serves as adjunct faculty for schools of law teaching race, racism, and American Law. She has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh in Law, Criminal Justice, & Society. Her research interests include the development of Antiracist educational curriculum, dismantling prison pipelines, human rights, Truth & Reconciliation practices, and death penalty/prison abolition. Finally, she is pursuing an EdD at Antioch University in Multicultural and Anti-Racist Educational Professional Practice.

Karen Crist, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success- In this role, Karen serves as the university’s Chief Retention Officer and Chief Student Services Officer, and is responsible for assuring the quality and sufficiency of university academic and student support services. Specifically, this position is responsible for assuring the highest quality, university-wide student success services, including but not limited to disability support services, writing support, career planning, and Veteran and military-connected student services. Having over two decades of higher education administrative experience, Karen helped launch the earliest asynchronous online learning model at Antioch University. She has held various roles in program administration, enrollment management, disability support services, career planning, prior learning assessment, student conduct, and Title IX coordinator, and reaffirmation of accreditation. She currently co-chairs the Student Success Symposium Planning Committee, and the Retention Huddle. Karen also leads the Strategic Initiatives Knowledge Share, a multi-discipline, cross-university collective of colleagues from Antioch University and Otterbein University focused on affiliation-related programming and staffing. Karen’s priority is leading initiatives for student success at the university level in collaboration with student services areas, faculty, deans, and academic affairs with a focus on team-building, cross-functional collaborations, culture and climate, and raising the visibility of student success staff university-wide. Prior to coming to Antioch University, Karen was a human resources manager for a large Silicon Valley corporate law firm, and an organizational development manager focusing on work redesign and major change efforts for a fortune 300 corporation. Karen received her BA in Human Development and Social Relations from Earlham College, her MA in Management from Antioch University, and holds an EdD in Educational and Professional Practice from Antioch University.