About Us

Mission

Our mission is to support and empower faculty and students to disrupt and challenge systemic racism, with a view to dismantling it within our department through advocacy at the systems level, promoting anti-racist pedagogy, and student engagement.

Vision

We envision an anti-racist and inclusive department where our Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students, faculty and staff can study and work without fear of racial discrimination or violence of any kind. We commit to actively engaging in sustained efforts to create a more equitable department and campus community.

2026-2027 Student Leaders

Dustin Sannasi

Senior, Social Work major

I believe it is important to actively stand against racism and work toward building a more inclusive and equitable campus community. Being a part of this committee allows me to live out the values of social work while helping to foster a campus environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels respected and supported.

Estrella Gomez

Senior, Sociology major, Studio Art minor

Anti-racism is extremely important to me for a multitude of reasons...I believe it is important to treat all people with equal respect and kindness. I've seen quite a bit of racism while growing up, especially as a Latina growing up in the Midwest. I have seen a lot of prejudices in action around me both at friends and family, and even firsthand. But these experiences have led me to examine my own life and the ways that I can further my own anti-racism.

Tyana Glaspie

Senior, Sociology and Pre-ECE major

I wanted to be a part of this committee because, as a person of color, using my voice to stand against racism has always been a part of who I am, and this gives me the opportunity to contribute to something I believe in while making a difference at a school I’m proud to be a part of!

Sky Rhymer

Sophomore, Sociology major, Psychology minor

I want to join because as a person who is not only Hispanic, but a person of color who has ran into so many uncomfortable situations all due to my background has made me want to change the way people think and speak and be able to educate others.

Danielle Santostefano

Junior, Social Work major

As a Black young adult woman, I deeply value the importance of understanding what it means to be an Anti-Racist and the significance of becoming one. To me, promoting an all-inclusive and anti-racist community is deeply important, and being involved in a community such as the SACSW is something I will always cherish. As someone who has experienced racism firsthand, creating a space where people feel respected, heard, and valued is something I am honored to be a part of. I am excited to contribute my perspective, learn from others, and help promote meaningful conversations!

Aniya Jenkins

Sophomore, Criminology major

I believe everyone should be treated equally and with respect. As someone who is half black, I have experienced situations where I wasn't sure how to speak up or advocate. Joining this committee will give me the opportunity to learn how to better address racism.

Olive Bulan

Senior, Social Work major

Every day I learn more and more about the systemic failures and inequity that exist throughout all aspects of life based on what someone's assumed race is. As someone who comes from a privileged background going into social work, I want to take a more active role in working through my own and other's prejudice, discrimination, and influence within these inequalities. Each and every person deserves equity, kindness, agency, and respect regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religiosity, socio-economic status, and background.

Cali Volpicelli

Sophomore, Sociology major, Human Resources minor

I want to use my voice to help foster a campus community where students feel comfortable speaking up, learning from one another, and challenging stereotypes and discrimination.

Kelly Ayala Rodriguez

Aleja Rincón

Tyanne Mclean

SACSW Faculty & Community Members

Professor of Sociology and Co-Director of Women's and Gender Studies

Cara Bergstrom-Lynch

This anti-racist work is important to me as an educator because I want to contribute to dismantling interlocking systems of oppression and institutionalized racism at Eastern. Our BIPOC students deserve to be valued, heard, empowered and powerful. As Fannie Lou Hamer said in her 1971 speech at a National Women's Caucus Event, "Nobody's free until everybody's free."

Previous Lecturer of Social Work

Catina Caban-Owen

(Community member)

This committee is important to me as I know:

I am prejudiced

I discriminate

I victimize and

I am part of the problem

Professor of Criminology and Sociology

William Lugo

Graduate Intern, Student Organizations & Operations

Sociology Major, Class of 2026

Nariyah Mazyck-Alegria

Lecturer of Social Work

Jara J. Rijs

I wanted to be a part of the SACSW Anti-Racism committee at Eastern because I am responsible for addressing and deconstructing the complex web of my own perceptions and exploring the impact in my everyday interactions. I seek to work with others to become comfortable with the internal exploration of these perceptions and to grow. This work is necessary to better understand the role inclusion, equity, and social justice play in my teaching, my research and my social work practice. I strive to commit to both my internal exploration and education and the work I do on campus to make safe spaces for student engagement.

Associate Professor of Social Work

(On Sabbatical, 2026-2027)

Megan Stanton

This anti-racist work is important to me because I want to imagine and co-create spaces of shared liberation. As a social work educator and scholar I am well aware of our profession's commitment to social justice and anti-racism. Operationalizing and enacting anti-racism in the context of my classroom, department, and the institution of Eastern requires ongoing accountability, critical reflection and growth. I am grateful for this committee as a place to do this work in partnership with colleagues and students.

Lecturer of Sociology and Criminology

Brenda Westberry

How we care for and value people in this world needs to improve beyond where we are today. I want to have conversations and hold myself and others accountable to the work that must be done to create genuine safe spaces and experiences for ALL.

Alumnae/i Student Leaders

Frida Nieto Gonzalez

(Criminology and Sociology major, Pre-Law minor, '24; Women's Center Graduate Intern, '24-'26)

Esmeralda Cruz Ortiz

(Sociology and Criminology major, '26)

Kairi Cobb

(Philosophy major, double minor in Anthropology and Sociology, '26)

Marylynn Whitfield

(Criminology major, Pre-law minor, '26)

Vanessa Sotelo

(Sociology major, '26)

Emily Fonseca Garcia

(Criminology major, Pre-law minor, '25)

Madison Farrell

(Sociology and Early Childhood Education major, '25)

Lexi Valentine

(Social Work major, Women's and Gender Studies minor, '25)

Jennifer Park

(BGS, Sociology concentration, '25)

Muneeb Butt

(Social Work major, Communication minor, '24)

Alicia Abrahams

(Sociology major, Political Science minor, '24)

Tiana Brathwaite

(Sociology & Criminology major, '24)

Alyssa Lawrence

(Sociology & Criminology major, Political Science minor, '22)

Fiorella Otiniano

(Sociology & Criminology major, BIS minor, '22)

Professor of Sociology

Kimberly Dugan

(Professor Emeritus)

It is well established in the field of sociology that one of the top ten American values is racial superiority. As a sociologist, I am very aware of this sad truth and the impact that socialization has on individuals. These two social facts lead to the keen realization that since we live in such a culture we are (more or less) racist. Regardless of intent or desire, this seems fundamental to me. I am committed to the work of antiracism for myself so I can work to undo my own internalized racism and ‘re-learn’ to be as anti-racist as I can be. This work informs my teaching, research, and engagement with students.

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