Diversity Committee
The Diversity Committee is a group of people engaged in critical conversations about multicultural issues within ourselves, within the group, and in the community around us. Our mission is to equip individuals for educating, mentoring, serving, and actively engaging in opportunities that challenge stereotyped beliefs and create an atmosphere of openness, curiosity, inspiration, responsibility and concern for others.
The Diversity Committee was formed out of a need to engage University of Memphis graduate students in active dialogue on diversity issues. It has been many things over the years including a space for students to examine their own views, biases, and assumptions with support from peers, as well as a resource within the department to spearhead multicultural activities. The Diversity Committee aims to illuminate multiculturalism through explicit conversation within the campus community and active service to the community. Through our mission we also hope to be an integral catalyst for the training of internationally competent professionals steeped in the knowledge of social justice issues.
The Diversity Committee is housed in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research. Membership is open to any University of Memphis graduate student who is committed to the mission stated above regardless of their department. Please feel free to join us at a meeting or contact the committee officers for more information!
Connect with us!
- Committee Email: UofMDiversity@gmail.com
- Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheDiversityCommittee
- Follow us on Instagram: @uofmdiversitycommittee
- If you would like to join the Diversity Committee, please visit Tiger Zone and request to become a member.
Upcoming Events
Spring 2021
The Diversity Committee (housed in the CEPR department) is kicking off a fundraiser aimed at supporting international students who face unexpected expenses due to Covid-19. Anything from a direct donation (Cash App: $UofMDiversity) to a donation of your time is welcomed and appreciated! Additionally, stay tuned for our hosted cooking sessions featuring international students showcasing salient parts of their culture and diversity! This will start in Early April!
- Community Conversation regarding Covid-19 and Racism, April 16, 3:30pm
- Session on More Inclusive Classrooms, April 23, 1:00pm
- Elections for Diversity Committee Executive Board, Late April-May
- Diversity Committee International Education Services Cooking Series, Summer 2021
Meet the Diversity Committee
Diversity Committee Executive Board
Daniel Cruz Lattimore, President (He/him/his)
daniel.lattimore@memphis.edu
Daniel Cruz Lattimore is a doctoral candidate in the University of Memphis Counseling Psychology Doctoral program. His research interests include the functionality of humor in workplace settings, resilience of communities and diverse populations, and stress moderation. In all aspects of his life, he looks to encourage relationships through compassion and strategy. He is a proud member of APA Divisions 10, 13, 14, 17, 27, and 52. When he’s not working on his dissertation, you can find him practicing Latin dance steps or watching Marvel movies.
Paige Dixon, Vice President (She/her/hers)
pdixon4@memphis.edu
Paige Dixon is the vice president of the Diversity Committee for 2020-2021 academic year. Prior to coming to the University of Memphis, Paige served as the Experimental Psychology Masters representative in the Diversity Committee in the Psychology Department at Georgia Southern University. Paige has been involved with the Diversity Committee since she started her first semester of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program in 2018. During her time with the Diversity Committee, Paige has served as the Clinical Mental Health Counseling representative and the Vice President for the 2019-2020 academic year. Paige hails most recently from southern, rural Georgia, but has lived in small and large cities up and down the eastern coast of the United States. Paige will be graduating from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in the August 2020 and will be entering the Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral program in the Fall of 2020. Paige has been inspired by the amazing committee members that she has been able to work with who have encouraged her and challenged her to grow. Together, the DC members have continued to develop and expand the Diversity Committee and its impact on the university and the community. Paige looks forward to getting started with the new academic year and seeing the DC step up for social justice and the needs of our community.
Kathryn Winsley, Secretary (She/her/hers)
kwinsley@memphis.edu
Kathryn Winsley is a Counseling Psychology Doctoral Student from Brandon, Mississippi. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a double minor in Criminal Justice & Sociology from the University of Southern Mississippi. From there, Kathryn moved on to receive her Master’s degree in General Psychology from the University of Memphis. Kathryn has a life-long passion for volunteerism, civility, advocacy, and diversity.
Meera Patel, Treasurer (She/her/hers)
mbpatel@memphis.edu
Meera Patel is a Counseling Psychology Doctoral Student and will be serving as the Treasurer to the Diversity Committee for the 2020-2021 school year. She is a Masters’ graduate of Lincoln Memorial University Counseling program with a specialization in Mental Health Counseling. She completed her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Information Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her ongoing clinical research interests include addictive disorders, criminal behavior, and personality disorders. In her free time, she spends time with her two African Grey parrots and dog.
Raven Cohen, Event Coordinator (She/her/hers)
rcohen2@memphis.edu
Raven Cohen is a second-year student in the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program and will be serving as the Event Coordinator to the Diversity Committee for the 2020-2021 school year. She previously graduated with Master’s degrees in School Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Rhode Island and University of Memphis, respectively. Raven is currently a graduate assistant in inclusion and sexual diversity in the Office of Multicultural Affairs where she works to create and maintain a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for LGBTQIA+ students. Outside of her professional life, Raven enjoys spending time with her two rescue dogs, spending time outdoors, and skating with Memphis Roller Derby. Raven looks forward to collaborating with committee members to create opportunities that help build and maintain cultural competency.
Diversity Committee Officers
Dorothy'e Gott, Fundraising Officer (She/her/hers)
dhgott@memphis.edu
Dorothy'e Gott is a doctoral candidate in the University of Memphis Counseling Psychology
program. Born and raised in Memphis, TN, she also completed her Master's degree in
Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Memphis. Dorothy'e has a passion
for social justice and advocacy, and her research interests encompass mental health
services utilization amongst Black communities and experiences of motherhood and mental
health for Black mothers. She currently also serves as the campus representative for
the Society for the Psychology of Women (Div. 35).
Brandon Kimler, ICL Graduate Student Representative (He/him/his)
bkimler@memphis.edu
Brandon Kimler is a student in the Instruction and Curriculum Leadership (ICL) Master of Science program. He completed his B.A. in Psychology at the University of Memphis in 2015 and, after graduating, spent several years working as a personal trainer specializing in kinesthetics and rehabilitation. Brandon's desire to promote mindfulness and positive thinking have led to his interest in researching practices aimed at building quality communication and cogenerative spaces. In his free time, Brandon enjoys cooking, spending time with friends and family, and spoiling his three cats.
Alexandria Littlejohn, CPSY First-Year Representative and Webmaster (She/her/hers)
heilmann@memphis.edu
Alexandria Littlejohn is a Memphis native and a first-year Counseling Psychology Doctoral
Student. She recently graduated with her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling from the University of Memphis. While obtaining her master's degree, she
served a two-year term as the Master's President Elect and Co-President for the Kappa
Zeta Chapter of the international honor society, Chi Sigma Iota. Prior to receiving
her master's degree, Alexandria completed her Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Counseling
and Psychology at The University of Memphis. She has a passion for diversity, social
justice, and advocacy, which is reflected in her research interests. In her free time,
Alexandria enjoys spending time with her partner and their rescue animals, traveling,
and spending time outdoors.
Suha Dweik, CMHC Student Representative (She/her/hers)
sdweik@memphis.edu
Suha Dweik is in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She graduated from
the University of Memphis with a B.S. in Psychology and a double minor in French and
Chemistry. She is passionate about volunteering and is active in her local community,
serving on the board of the Memphis Islamic Center since 2018. She is also the Social
Chair of the University of Memphis CSI Chapter. As someone who considers herself bi-cultural,
Suha is interested in using her bilingual skills to work with and learn how to better
serve minority clients, especially immigrants and refugees. In her free time Suha
enjoys spending quality time with her two kids, rollerblading, and reading.
Alma H. Rutledge, Higher and Adult Education Student Representative (She/her/hers)
hrtldge1@memphis.edu
Alma H. Rutledge is in her 2nd year of pursuing an Ed.D. in Higher and Adult Education.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2015 followed by an M.B.A. in 2016 from
Union University in Jackson, TN. Through her time at Union University, she served
in MOSAIC (Making Opportunities Strengthening an Intercultural Community) as president
and later as a staff advisor. Through these roles, she discovered her passion for
equity, inclusion, and diversity. Currently, she serves as the Title III IDEAS (Inclusive
Design for Equity in Academic Success) Project Activities Director which focuses on
closing achievement gaps, creating equity and inclusion professional development opportunities,
and increasing data capacity for the institution. As a first-generation graduate,
Alma feels strongly about mentoring the next generation of leaders and has served
as a tnAchieves mentor for the past 4 years. She looks forward to being able to apply
her passion and experiences to bring about systemic change and contribute to the growth
of the Memphis community.
Faculty Advisor
Chelsea Liddell (She/her/hers)
cdlddell@memphis.edu
Chelsea Liddell is originally from Paragould, Arkansas, and completed her Bachelor
of Arts in Psychology and Music, as well as her Master of Science in Psychology, at
Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas. During her time at Arkansas Tech,
she focused on issues within the LGBTQ+ community, and continues that focus in a lot
of her work today. She has 7 years of experience teaching psychology in the community
college and university setting. Currently, she is the Program Manager for Student
Inclusion in the Office of Multicultural Affairs where she advises several student
organizations, develops and conducts diversity and inclusion programming and training,
and assists with other programming produced by the office.
Previous events include:
Diversity Committee Events Fall 2020
- White Fragility Discussion in Academia on Saturday, October 24th
- Community Conversation and Dialogue on Thursday, November 5th
- Unity Walk Against Gun Violence on Saturday, November 14th
Diversity Committee Events Fall 2019-Spring 2020:
- Working with religious LGBTQ populations, Dr. Tyler Lefevor, Rhodes College
- Attended Midsouth Pride Festival as a group, downtown Memphis
- Working with immigrant populations, Angela Rusk, M.A., Exchange Club/Kindred Place
- Counselors in Living Color, Black History Month Event, U of M
- St. Jude Marathon Volunteers: Spirit Stations
Prospective members can email Daniel C. Lattimore (dclttmre@memphis.edu), look at our Diversity Committee Facebook page, or look for the Diversity Committee emails that come out over the CEPR listserv for more information.