Committee for Equity & Diversity
2024-2025 Membership
The Southern Oregon University (SOU) Presidential Committee for Equity and Diversity (CED)
in collaboration and with the guidance of the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion,
is charged with supporting the following university needs:
The SOU Presidential Committee for Equity and Diversity supports the values as well as
the equity, diversity, and inclusion goals of Southern Oregon University.
With the Office for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion’s Vision plan as the framework for organizational success,
the committee performs work, provides guidance, and makes recommendations to advance the equity,
diversity, and inclusion priorities of SOU, including compliance with 2017 House Bill 2864.
COMMITTEE CORE TEAM
*Jonathan Chavez Baez, MA
Assistant Vice President for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Office: Churchill Hall 222
Email: chavezbjo@sou.edu
Patricia Syquia McCarthy, JD
Contracts Administrative Officer/Risk Manager
Staff and Community Liaison, Office for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Office: Churchill Hall 222
Email: syquiam@sou.edu
Amanda Casto, PhD
STEM Education Instructor; Education Studies Program Coordinator
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Faculty Liaison
Office: EP 132
Email: castoa@sou.edu
Kenwani Kravitz, MLS
Native Nations Liaison
Office: Churchill Hall 222
Email: kravitzk@sou.edu
John Johnstin
Director of Student Activities and Stevenson Union
Office: SU 312
Email: johnstinj@sou.edu
Ian Parent
Associate Director of Admissions Recruitment
Office: SU 158
Email: parenti@sou.edu
Michele Barlow
Assistant Director Human Resources, Accessibility Coordinator
Office: CH 159
Email: barlowm@sou.edu
*Committee Chair
COMMITTEE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
Alma Rosa Alvarez, PhD
Professor English
Office: CE 254
Email: alvarez@sou.edu
Carey Jean Sojka, PhD
Assistant Professor Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
Affiliated Faculty, Ethnic & Racial Studies
Office: TA 125B
Email: sojkac@sou.edu
Edward Derr
Student Success Coordinator
Office: TA 101
Email: derre@sou.edu
Garima Sharma
Student
Email: sharmag@sou.edu
Frida Vargas
Student
Email: vargasf@sou.edu
Jason Molay
University Housing Conference Coordinator
Office: Residential Life
Email: molayj@sou.edu
Liz Scheppler
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Coordinator | Office for Disability Resources
Office: CE 028
Email: schepplee@sou.edu
Luana Stevens
Office Specialist, Success at Southern (TRIO SSS)
Office: SU 322
Email: woodardm@sou.edu
Marvin Woodard
Belonging and Engagement Coordinator
Office: SU 306
Email: woodardm@sou.edu
Sabrina Prud’homme
University Board Secretary
Office: Churchill Hall 107
Email: prudhomms@sou.edu
Sarah Olejniczak, PhD
Interim Director of Equity Grievance/Title IX Coordinator
Email: olejniczaks@sou.edu
Stephanie Rokes
Program Manager, Military Science
Office: Cascade Complex
Email: rokess@sou.edu
Sweets Underwood
Belonging and Engagement Coordinator
Office: SU 306
Email: underwoods@sou.edu
Tracey Culbertson
Assistant Director International Programs
Office: Hannon Library
Email: culbertst@sou.edu