Senior Director of Equity and Culture at the American Alliance of Museums

Position

Running Back

Hometown

Burlington, Vermont

Major

Philosophy

Member of the football and men's basketball teams

Tell us about your role as the Senior Director of Equity and Culture at AAM.

My job is to define our diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) both internally and externally. What I really do is oversee all external DEAI programming and content—from initiatives, trainings, and workshops to making sure we're embedding DEAI best practices into all externally focused content (blogs, videos, magazine articles, webinars, speaking engagements, etc). I also implement all DEAI change management internally at AAM, which means I serve as an in-house diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion consultant and coach. 

You recently partnered with the NESCAC as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility consultant. What will you do in this role and why were you interested in taking this on?

This is a super exciting project and I'm very proud that NESCAC has chosen me to take on this critical work league-wide. I'll be supporting the conference and its many constituent groups by building out a platform of shared understanding and learning for all. That means I'll be supporting the conference in building foundational learning content that any student, coach, athletic director, and department can use to better embed equity and inclusion into everything they do. I'll work closely with seven main constituent groups including the AD's, ADID's, SWA's, DEI Committee, CoSAoC, SAAC, and Coaches of Color group. I'll also support the conference in building out proper structures that will enable the NESCAC to drive and sustain DEI throughout the conference for years to come. 

Is there one piece of advice you would pass down to current Middlebury student-athletes?

Don't be in a rush to do the next thing. Cherish the moment you're in and live in the present as much as you can. You'll have plenty of time to figure out what and who you want to be, so don't rush to be an adult. Trust me, adulting isn't what it's cracked up to be! Haha!

What was your Midd Moment?

It would have to be creating, producing, and recording the "Midd Kid" song and music video. My friends and I decided to make a satire song of Middlebury College life, and the song ended up being a huge hit. A production company flew out and shot the music video, and it went viral. It was really wild times back in 2010.

Teacher and Coach at The Brunswick School

Position

Safety

Hometown

Mt. Vernon, New York

Major

Political science; History and Chinese Minor

How did you become interested in mission work in Haiti?

My grandmother has done missionary work in Haiti for as long as I can remember. On a trip in 2012 with them, I was able to hand out care packages and everyday necessities to families and children in Haiti. In Kenscoff, Haiti, a mountainous area, I had the opportunity to actually learn soccer from the kids there. I introduced a local school to the game of volleyball. I learned lessons about life through missionary work in Haiti. I will continue to do this and give to Haiti because I greatly respect the people and the pride they have in themselves and their homeland.

You also said you volunteer at a local public school in the Bronx.

My mother has been an educator in the greater New York City area for over 15 years. As I surpassed the age of those she was teaching, I began to help them in the classroom with their work and with their comprehension skills. As I learned the Chinese language, I volunteered in the classes to teach the language concepts to the students. My role now in these schools has shifted to more of a mentorship position. I talk to the students about the importance of education and how it is cool to be a hard-working student.

What drew your interest to Middlebury?

I decided to attend Middlebury because I wanted to excel both academically and athletically. I liked how people weren't confined to social environments based on the things they do on campus. I heard about the school in high school, as my college advisor and many of my professors attended Middlebury and encouraged me to look in to the school. My mother also did her research on the college and informed me about specific strengths of Middlebury that appealed to me, such as the world-renowned language program.

What activities piqued your interest off the field?

I was a member of the Black Student Union on campus and I was Co-President of the Student-Athletes of Color Club. From the Black Student Union, I was able to understand the positive impact of safe spaces where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. I watched how an organization that was simultaneously dedicated to discussing important issues and maintaining a fun atmosphere for all involved, could also create many positive experiences for its members.

The Student-Athletes of Color club is dedicated to facilitating diversity on Middlebury's campus, focused specifically on diversity on athletic teams. Through my experience as an athlete and talking to older student-athletes on campus, I learned how lonely and difficult it can be to play on a team where you don't connect with your teammates socially and culturally. I have also known how great of a feeling it is to have that bond with members of your team and with members from other teams. The latter is what this club will be focused on with my leadership. I am to create a connected community that transcends specific sports and connects all student-athletes who are dedicated to diversity and growth as a community. Through my involvement in other clubs and due to my personal experience, I wanted all students and student-athletes to feel like they are not ostracized on campus, regardless of socio-economic background or ethnicity.

How did you balanced your academic class load with your athletic schedule?

I felt more focused and sharp academically while in-season. I tried to space out my classes or have them done a few hours before practice started so that I could take a nap during the day if needed. I realized that having those few hours to recollect myself during the day/week lessened the amount of stress I have and gave me the opportunity to refocus.

What is your #MiddMoment?

My #MiddMoment is the first early morning practice I had at Middlebury. Coach Ritter stopped all drills early in the session, called a huddle and directed our attention to the mountain peaks. As we stared at the mountains, he told us to take time to enjoy the things around us and how fortunate we were to be where we all were together. Soon after, the sun rose right over the mountains, illuminating the entire sky. I couldn't believe I was playing football and enjoying such a beautiful sunrise. I'll never forget it!

Sports communications at Ari Fleischer  Communications 

Position

Cornerback

Hometown

Middlebury, Vermont

Major

American Studies

How did Middlebury help you get where you are?

The wide and engaged Middlebury network helped me find this job. My boss is a Middlebury alum. Middlebury also taught me how to manage my time and how to effectively use criticism and coaching. 

Relationship Associate at Brown Brothers Harriman

Position

Cornerback

Hometown

Venice Beach, California

Major

Economics

How did Middlebury help you get where you are?

I would not be where I am at today without Middlebury. Individually, Middlebury, and specifically Middlebury Football, helped shaped me into the person I’ve become. I still carry lessons I learned on and off the field everyday. Professionally, I would not be at my current job without Middlebury. I was able to connect with a former Middlebury Hockey Alumni through Erin Quinn following my graduation. Due to the strong Middlebury connection, I was able to join Brown Brothers Harriman and am currently transitioning into a position under said Middlebury Alumni.