INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS LEADING THE WAY
Diversity Coordinator, Consultants, Clubs and Committees
Dashea Hickson: School Counselor and Diversity Coordinator
As the Diversity Coordinator for Notre Dame, I am committed to creating an environment where all students are seen, heard, and valued. After studying and taking coursework at Binghamton University in Black Families, Psychology and Racism, LGBT Adolescent Development, and Youth and Social Policy, I learned how to unpack complex theoretical concepts and social issues within communities and organizations. My responsibility is to assist in the fostering of a diverse, equitable and inclusive school community. Diversity at Notre Dame School is represented in various ways: family structure, race, ethnicity, religious traditions, socio-economic backgrounds. My goal is to guide the members of our school community into a clearer understanding that everyone has a role to play in the pursuit of equity and justice. I want to encourage and motivate our school community members to be positive and effective agents on this journey.
Martha Haakmat: DEI Strategic Planning Consultant
Ms. Haakmat works regularly with Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees to at the level of policy, procedures, and messaging regarding the schools DEIG objectives and expectations. She guides our trustees in comprehensive and systemic DEI action planning, leveled training and assessment.
Dr. Sandra Chapman (Dr. Chap): DEI Educator, Leader, and Facilitator
Dr. Chap from Chap Equity works directly with our faculty, staff, and parent community to foster a deeper understanding of DEI issues. She presents data, research, and scenarios to help us reckon with the realities of institutional racism and work toward understanding, growth, and solutions. She helps to create a supportive and safe environment for courageous conversations about race to support our school’s DEIG initiatives and to increase the deep sense of belonging that our mission calls us to nurture and protect.
Julie Mencher, MSW: A nationally recognized speaker and consultant, Ms. Mencher serves as a strategic advisor to organizations on gender diversity and sexuality. She will be working with Notre Dame faculty during the 2023 - 2024 school year.
Union of Color: ND Student Club moderated by Dashea Hickson
Union of Color is a safe space that provides cultural diversity at Notre Dame with special regard to students of African descent.
Building Bridges: ND Student Club moderated by Scott Vasey
Building Bridges seeks to provide a safe, non-judgmental, and affirming space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies to come together to share experiences, observations, and concerns with each other. The club is dedicated to building networks with clubs at other schools who share a similar mission, and working together with like-minded community organizations to keep paths of dialogue open and to stress the vital importance of unconditional compassion, acceptance, and love.
Young Feminists: ND Student Club moderated by Scott Vasey
Young Feminists Club’s mission is to provide a forum for ND students to come together to find strength in each other as they insist on their unconditional, full, and equal humanity. The club welcomes all students and prioritizes discussion and debate, affirmation, community involvement, and efforts to shape the future so that everyone’s full and unconditional humanity is realized.