Student Ambassadors are Leaders in Fostering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The University’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) student ambassadors program enables student leaders to be a force for positive change at the University. Student ambassadors serve as a resource for their fellow Chargers and develop programming and initiatives that foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).

Developed by Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH, an assistant professor of public health; assistant provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion; director of the University’s Bachelor of Science in Public Health program; and interim director of the University’s Master of Public Health program, the program is now in its second year.

The nine JEDI ambassadors represent each of the University’s academic colleges and schools. Some of them are new to the program this year, while others served as ambassadors during the program’s inaugural year and were excited to continue to serve. Below, the student ambassadors discuss the important work they are doing and the impact they are making at the University.

Kiana White ’24

As a new JEDI ambassador, I hope to develop new diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the Pompea College of Business. I want to use my role to amplify the voices of members of the University community, including students, faculty, and staff, who may not feel as if they have a voice.

As part of Women’s History Month, I helped launch a Women Empowerment Speaker Series to bring awareness to challenges women experience in the workforce, as well as ways in which women can combat them. I hope to facilitate an open conversation in which faculty and students discuss the barriers and thresholds that are in place for individuals of all races, genders, and sexualities. I hope to collaborate with the Women in Business Club, the Pompea College of Business DEI Subcommittee, and, possibly, the Entrepreneurship Club.

Furthermore, some other initiatives I hope to achieve in the Pompea College of Business are roundtable conversations and a Business School Blog that will offer business students a platform to bring about change.

Although I am still somewhat new to my JEDI Student Ambassador role, I know I am not alone because I am surrounded and supported by a community of change-agents who are willing to step out and stand out for what is right.

Finley Chapman ’22

This is my second year as a JEDI ambassador, and I have been so excited to be able to have this opportunity again! Last year, I worked with the Accessibility Resources Center to start to set up accessibility training for registered student organizations in order to make them more inclusive of students with disabilities.

I have continued this work this year, and I also plan on helping set up this year’s Lavender Graduation. As a gay, transgender man, I am very passionate about making spaces more inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community.

My work as a JEDI ambassador has helped give me the skills to do this, and I plan on continuing my advocacy work while working toward my graduate degree – I am going to pursue a Master’s in Public Health – and beyond.

The JEDI Ambassador program has been an amazing experience for me, and I have been endeavoring to make my last semester as both a University of New Haven student and a JEDI ambassador a fantastic one!

Mabintou Darboe ’22 MPH

I am in my second year as a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) ambassador. During the past year, I have experienced tremendous growth as an individual. The JEDI program gave me a platform to work closely with faculty and staff to ensure an inclusive and discrimination-free environment for students in the School of Health Sciences (SHS) and at the University. I also provide student support to international students, advocating for their needs.

One of the projects I worked on as a JEDI was spearheading the University’s Youth and Public Health Conference in Spring 2021 and again in Fall 2021. The purpose of the Conference is to guide high school students, specifically those from underrepresented and marginalized populations, to gain an awareness of the multiple career opportunities in the health sciences and public health fields and to learn about the college application process. I hope it continues when I graduate, as I’m in my final semester at the University.

My current work as a JEDI includes sitting on the SHS’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging committee to foster belonging and acceptance in the SHS and to offer a student’s perspective. I am also collaborating with international students to address their needs regarding issues such as housing, transportation, and safety.

Being a JEDI ambassador has been a rewarding experience. I remember not having a voice once. The JEDI program helped me find my voice. Now, I am using it to advocate for others. This is truly a blessing indeed. I hope my work will pave the way for future JEDI ambassadors to accomplish greater things and to help make the University the welcoming, inclusive, and accepting campus we all envision.

Peri Alexander ’23

Being a JEDI has been an empowering experience. From the time I was hired as the JEDI Ambassador for the School of Health Sciences, I’ve dedicated my time and energy to fulfilling the role of an ambassador in the best way possible.

I have been involved in various activities in the School of Health Sciences, such as being a part of the SHS Dean Search Committee, which was a very rewarding experience, to be sure. As a participant, I was involved in the screening process, as well as helping to interview and choose the next dean for the SHS. This is important to me because I am a part of the history of the University, and being on the committee will be my legacy.

I am also on the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging (EDIA&B) committee for the School of Health Sciences. In this role, I meet with the associate dean of students, the interim SHS dean, and other faculty and staff members as we collaborate on ways to create inclusivity and belonging on campus. We try to create new events and programs of interest within the school.

Another JEDI ambassador, Mabintou Darboe ’22 MPH, serves on the committee with me as well. She is also an ambassador for the SHS, and we meet often to work on SHS-related issues. Right now, we are working on the JEDI Instagram page which is now up and running – @unewhavenjedi.

While being a JEDI, I have learned what it means to be a leader and the importance of collaborating with other people. I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask faculty and staff for help, as well as the importance of being involved on campus.

This year was the most dynamic and fulfilling year for me since I’ve been on campus. I’ve met so many wonderful people and learned so many things while attending club meetings and events. Overall, I am happy to help create a safe and inclusive community for the School of Health Sciences and for the University.

Mary Lippa ’23

Working as a JEDI ambassador has been an incredibly enriching experience. Through this position, I work with individuals in all levels at the University to ensure that students in the College of Arts and Sciences have equal opportunities and access throughout their education.

While my work focuses on the College of Arts and Sciences, I also work to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, both as a whole and for those in our University community. I am currently trying to increase the knowledge of faculty, staff, and the administrations regarding the LGBTQ+ community and the specific issues that we may face on campus.

During this semester, I have met with Dr. Michael Rossi to discuss a Gender & Sexualities Minor, and I have spoken with Ian Shick from the Myatt Center regarding possible pronoun trainings, both of which allow my voice and all students’ voices to be heard within the inner workings of the University.

It is most interesting to see these inner workings, such as how the administration works behind the scenes to address specific DEIB issues, and makes changes to better reflect the values of the University.

Ciara Wildes ’24

As a JEDI ambassador, I have the opportunity to support and assist in the betterment of our University community through justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Within my position, I represent the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, and I focus on DEIB issues surrounding social class and socio-economic status.

Being a JEDI ambassador means that I am able to use my platform to advocate for the needs of the University through programs and collaboration with other students, JEDI ambassadors, and faculty. My favorite part about being a JEDI ambassador is knowing that I am serving my community and helping further DEIB initiatives on campus on both a micro-social and institutional level. In addition, this position has already allowed me to further my knowledge on DEIB-related topics and issues.

My goal as a JEDI ambassador is to address certain socioeconomic inequities on campus. I plan on collaborating with other members of the University community to find adequate and accessible solutions to these issues. As of now, students have brought to my attention some socioeconomic inequities within the scope of academics, which is something that I aim to resolve. In addition, I hope to work with the Campus Pantry/Career Closet in the near future.

Aaron Brooks ’24

As a chemical engineering major, it is important that I continue to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity. Through my JEDI position, I have been able to do that for the Tagliatela College of Engineering. The JEDI position allows me to enable underrepresented voices to be heard.

For my project as a JEDI this year, I am collaborating with associate dean Stephanie Gillespie, Ph.D., to host a panel about diversity, equity, and inclusion that examines why diversity matters in the industry, as well as how others can be allies. We have a multitude of panelists coming in to talk about their own experiences with diversity in the industry, and how they have managed to navigate throughout their careers.

Outside of my JEDI position, I continue to be heavily involved with many diversity aspects on campus. I am currently the first vice president of the University’s NAACP chapter, as well as the executive assistant for the Black Student Union. I will continue to be heavily involved with both organizations as I continue my time as a Charger.

Something I am also interested in bringing awareness to is the Society of Black Engineers. Within the next year, a couple of my engineering friends and I plan to revamp the club and make sure it is better known on campus.

Destiny-Jenkins Rubins '22

When I had first heard about the JEDI student-ambassador position, it was through some friends of mine who were a part of the program. I was, at that point, only familiar with the diversity peer educators who work with the Myatt Center, and the JEDI role was unfamiliar to me. As the year went on, I saw my friends and my community grow to educate and advocate for people and communities – opportunities that never would’ve been possible without the JEDI program. When it was time to apply for the JEDI program, there was no doubt in my mind that one of the best ways to make and foster change on campus was by becoming a JEDI ambassador.

As a JEDI ambassador for the Henry C. Lee College, I’ve first had to figure out what challenges students and faculty are struggling with the most and how best to address them. As this academic year has gone on, I’ve taken notice of the dedication my peers and I have and used it to cultivate and execute a plan.

It’s not easy advocating for issues, especially those that some people find less important than others. I’m grateful for the support I have because it grants me the confidence to stand up for the things that deserve to be advocated for. Being a JEDI ambassador has allowed me the ability to not only address these issues, but to be a part of the solution.

Kiana White ’24 is a business management major. Finley Chapman ’22 is a communication major. Mabintou Darboe ’22 MPH is a candidate in the University’s Master of Public Health program. Peri Alexander ’23 is a health sciences major. Mary Lippa '23 is a psychology major. Ciara Wildes ’24 is a criminal justice major. Aaron Brooks ’24 is a chemical engineering major. Destiny-Jenkins Rubins '22 is an international affairs major.