Avery is the Accessibility Services Coordinator at SCTCC

• What brought you to the Equity Committee?

My position as the Equity Advocate on the Board and a strong (albeit sometimes dramatic) desire to change the numerous amounts of inequities experiences by my students (and also by me!).

• What are some hobbies or activities you enjoy outside of this volunteer work?

I am currently working on my Doctorate (🥴), just bought a house (😅), and adopted a kitten a few months back (5 months old 🙃) – I fear my only hobby these days is trying not to lose all my marbles at once! I do love to read though!!

• What kind of animal would you like to have as a pet/companion (assuming they’re able to be domesticated)?

I dream to have a raccoon as a pet 🦝🦝🦝🦝. They are little tiny burglars with little tiny hands that they wash their tiny little food with and they are SO cute.

Julie is the Associate Director, Access Programs
at University of Minnesota 

• What brought you to the Equity Committee?

I had a chance to be a member of an Equity Team that formed the Equity Board position, which led to my interest in continuing this work with the Equity Committee. I am passionate about meeting the needs of all students with disabilities-- including those with intersecting identities. The equity committee works to gather equity issues from the membership and to find avenues to address them-- whether through communications, consultation spaces or education. This work energizes me. 

• What are some hobbies or activities you enjoy outside of this volunteer work?

I enjoy singing and playing guitar, doing hot yoga, and walking in nature.

• What kind of animal would you like to have as a pet/companion (assuming they’re able to be domesticated)?

I have a pug named Ollie who is very quirky. 

Chloe is the Accessibility Services Coordinator
at Lake Superior College 

• What brought you to the Equity Committee?

I joined the committee because it’s such an important aspect of our work and I knew it would be a great opportunity to learn and grow.   

• What are some hobbies or activities you enjoy outside of this volunteer work?

I’m working on my master’s in education, and I have 2 kids, so I don’t have a ton of free time! This summer I plan to do some hiking, some vintage shopping, enjoy the great Lake Superior, and read some books that have been collecting dust on my bookshelf. And I’m currently learning to read tarot! 

• What kind of animal would you like to have as a pet/companion (assuming they’re able to be domesticated)?

A penguin. No question. 

Alex is the Asst. Director of Accessibility Resources
at MSU Mankato 

• What brought you to the Equity Committee?

• What are some hobbies or activities you enjoy outside of this volunteer work?

• What kind of animal would you like to have as a pet/companion (assuming they’re able to be domesticated)?

Thryn is a Disability Specialist
at University of St.Thomas 

• What brought you to the Equity Committee?

I have always had a passion for social justice and appreciate all opportunities to ground my work in its principles. I see this subcommittee as a chance to be a part of making the change I want to see reflected in the world! 

• What are some hobbies or activities you enjoy outside of this volunteer work?

Gardening, Birdwatching, camping, kayaking, singing, board games, cooking, and some cozy-core video games!

• What kind of animal would you like to have as a pet/companion (assuming they’re able to be domesticated)?

My wife and I adopted a Tanimbar Corella cockatoo (Goffin's cockatoo) last fall and honestly, it's a childhood dream come true! He's impossibly adorable, incredibly smart, and it's absolutely surreal that he's a real creature that lives in my house! His name is Dunkin (yes like the donut chain) he's 20 years old, and he'll be polite if he's bribed with animal crackers. 

Matt is a Senior Disability Services Advisor
at Capella University

• What brought you to the Equity Committee?

I was a part of the group that preceded the committee (The Equity Squad) that wanted to help this be more directly addressed within MN AHEAD and served as the first "Equity Advocate" on the board. I think it's very important work that requires intentionality, and I love Wellstone's now classic quote of, "We all do better when we all do better."

• What are some hobbies or activities you enjoy outside of this volunteer work?

Wheelchair basketball, improv, soccer, board games, and all things music. I also love to spend time near or on various bodies of water.

• What kind of animal would you like to have as a pet/companion (assuming they’re able to be domesticated)?

 Probably a red panda or otter.  Perhaps a messenger pigeon if they still existed.