Dean of Students: ‘We Strive to Create a Safe Environment Where Everyone Can Speak Openly’

Ophelie Rowe-Allen, Ed.D., says it is her paramount priority to create a supportive environment for all students at the University of New Haven. She acknowledges that 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, and she wants to continue to foster meaningful discussions while helping faculty and staff to best support students and each other.

With instances of civil unrest and social injustice on the rise, and election season having raised the level of rhetoric across the political spectrum, Dr. Rowe-Allen, who joined the University community over the summer as dean of students and chief student affairs officer, wanted to bring the community together to talk, share their feelings, and listen to one another.

“It is important to have a conversation without blame,” she said. “We strive to create a safe environment where everyone can speak openly. Mistakes are part of success, and this is a learning process for all of us.”

Titled “Supporting Students During Times of Civil Unrest,” the conversation, held via Zoom, brought together dozens of members of the University community. Hosted by the Dean of Students Office and the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion, faculty and staff discussed how to best support students while continuing to create an environment that enables everyone to feel respected and valued.

“We need to start from a place of caring.” Lorenzo Boyd, Ph.D.

“A lot of people are hurting, and a lot of people are going through vicarious trauma,” said Lorenzo Boyd, Ph.D., vice president for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer at the University. “We need to start from a place of caring.”

The University has taken a variety of steps to provide support to students, such as “Re-Charge Days,” on which no classes were held and students were encouraged to focus on self-care, as well as open conversations that have been led by offices and departments across the University.

As part of the forum organized by Dr. Rowe-Allen, faculty and staff discussed how to best respond to students’ needs – both as a University and as individuals.

“Some students just want to listen, and that’s okay,” said Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH, assistant provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion and a health sciences professor. “Other students are very eager to share their concerns. Students process and react to things very differently.”

Faculty and staff members shared their own experiences, exchanged ideas, and offered support for each other. They acknowledged the importance of these conversations, as well as the significance of continuing the discussion.

“I’m very glad we had such a high turnout,” said Zanaiya Leon, coordinator for leadership, diversity, and inclusion for the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion. “There are many staff members who benefit from these conversations, as well as students.”