Kyle R. Williams Named Assistant Vice President and Dean of Intercultural Engagement</h1> <article> <h1>Kyle R. Williams Named Assistant Vice President and Dean of Intercultural Engagement</h1> <p>eburnett — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 14:27:15 +0000</p> <span>Kyle R. Williams Named Assistant Vice President and Dean of Intercultural Engagement</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-10-02T10:27:15-04:00" title="Wednesday, October 2, 2024 - 10:27">Wed, 10/02/2024 - 10:27</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Kyle R. Williams, a dedicated educator and administrator with extensive experience in community building and culturally responsive pedagogies, has been named Assistant Vice President and Dean of Intercultural Engagement at 91ֱ��. He began September 16.</p> <p>Prior to 91ֱ��, Williams served as special advisor to the Senior Vice President and Dean of Campus Life at Emory University in Atlanta. He has performed a variety of roles within student affairs at Oglethorpe University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Texas A&M University-Commerce, among other institutions.</p> <p>“Kyle is a highly skilled and knowledgeable scholar-practitioner who embodies the seamless integration of theory and practice,” says <a href="/node/362451">Karen Goff</a>, Vice President and Dean of Students. “His student-centric philosophy will help to facilitate spaces that transcend diversity and prioritize inclusion and belonging for all students, so that they can be active co-creators—rather than passive observers—of intercultural connections.</p> <p>“Kyle’s commitment to enhancing the student experience aligns perfectly with the overall vision of Student Affairs. Furthermore, his depth and breadth of expertise within Student Affairs is an added value, which will help to advance the work within our division. I am thrilled and excited to welcome Kyle to the Student Affairs Team and the 91ֱ�� community.”</p> <p>Williams arrives at a time of great energy in the <a href="/node/415091">Center for Intercultural Engagement</a>, or CIE. This fall, it celebrates the creation of a new office—<a href="/node/476320">Gender and Attraction Initiatives</a> (GAI)—and christens new spaces in Wilder Hall for the <a href="/node/4396">Office for Disability and Access</a> and the <a href="/node/4516">Multicultural Resource Commons</a> (MRC). CIE also includes the <a href="/node/4241">Office of Religious and Spiritual Life</a> (ORSL) and <a href="/node/4366">International Student and Scholar Services</a> (ISSS).</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Accomplished educator and administrator celebrated for centering diversity, equity, and inclusion across numerous higher ed settings.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-02T12:00:00Z">Wed, 10/02/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4141">Student Affairs</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3960">Center for Intercultural Engagement</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32154" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class="blockquote--quotemark" data-text-color-red data-text-size-giant> <p>I’ve long regarded 91ֱ�� as a beacon of hope in American higher education—a place where equality in education first took root.”</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-28168" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>A native of Cincinnati, Williams is a graduate of Otterbein College, where they studied voice. They completed a Master of Science in Educational Leadership at Old Dominion University and an EdD in Higher Education at Texas A&M-Commerce. Their dissertation was titled “Influence of Mattering on Black Males Intent to Persist at a Regional Predominately White Institution.”</p> <p>“As a scholar-practitioner, I’ve long regarded 91ֱ�� as a beacon of hope in American higher education—a place where equality in education first took root,” says Williams, who uses the pronouns he/they. “I am overjoyed to return home to the Buckeye State and to build upon the legacy of the Center for Intercultural Engagement alongside dynamic and knowledgeable leaders, especially at a time when identities are so politicized. Together, we will ensure that Obies, both past and present, have a space to engage, thrive, and contribute to the ongoing story of justice and inclusion.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Happy Return</h1> <p>tapplega — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:50:42 +0000</p> <span>Happy Return</span> <span><span>tapplega</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-01-30T09:50:42-05:00" title="Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - 09:50">Tue, 01/30/2024 - 09:50</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>It’s been a few semesters since Samia Mansour was a <a href="/node/65666">religion</a> student at 91ֱ��. In the years that followed her graduation in 2010, she worked for 91ֱ�� College Hillel and for Cleveland-area nonprofits that support interfaith couples and families, as well as women and gender non-conforming individuals. Along the way, she completed a master’s degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University.</p> <p>In fall 2023, Mansour returned to campus as assistant dean and director for the <a href="/node/4241">Office of Religious and Spiritual Life</a>. It’s a role that interacts closely with students and complements the work of her colleague, Multifaith Chaplain <a href="/node/30801">David Dorsey</a>.</p> <p>We caught up with Mansour in her first weeks on campus, to learn more about her student years and the journey that brought her back. </p> <p><strong>You originally came to 91ֱ�� from nearby Canton, Ohio. What appealed to you about it at the time?</strong></p> <p>So many things! 91ֱ�� was the first school I visited, and I absolutely fell in love. I compared every other school I visited to 91ֱ��, so when it came time to apply, I knew 91ֱ�� was my no. 1. 91ֱ�� was so different from the community and school I was coming from, and even though it's not far from where I live, I used to joke that I needed a passport to come to 91ֱ��. </p> <p>I felt like a big fish in a small pond in high school. I had so many dreams, interests, and things I was passionate about, and I didn't feel I had a place to put that energy. I was a first-generation and low-income student as well, so I knew that college was my only real chance to make it out and be able to pursue my passions. 91ֱ��'s historic achievements inspired me; I felt represented by the progressive and inclusive campus environment. I appreciated the commitment to global learning, and I loved the quirkiness of 91ֱ�� students. My life was changed by my decision to become an Obie. </p> <p><strong>How did your career path take shape?</strong></p> <p>I honestly didn't come to 91ֱ�� with any specific career aspirations. My first goal was to make it to college, and I knew I wanted to find a path to do good in the world. I was confident I would find my way and wanted to keep my options open.</p> <p>Looking back, I think I had a hard time imagining all the possibilities of what could be. As the first in my family to attend college, no one I knew had a job or career they loved—work was a means to a paycheck. Folks didn't have an opportunity to pursue their passions, and so I didn't know what it would look like if I did. I started by taking classes that piqued my interest and ultimately found that I couldn't stop taking courses in the Religion Department. I was on a spiritual journey of my own, and once I opened that door, there was no closing it. Every role I've held after 91ֱ�� has been in the realm of religious and spiritual life.</p> <p>A few years after graduating, I decided to get my master's in social work. I believe that social work skills are universally transferable; you can find social workers in all kinds of organizations and roles. I knew that in whatever position I took, I thrived when working with people and supporting them on their path. And so social work felt like a natural fit. It opened up many possibilities for where my future career could go and gave me a lot of tangible skills. </p> <p>I often wished that I was one of those people who knew exactly what they wanted to be in the world; I thought that would be so much easier! But I am grateful for my journey, the incredible people I've met, and the experiences I've had along the way.<br> <br> <strong>Tell us about your role on campus.</strong></p> <p>My role is focused on working with student groups, supporting student needs as they relate to religious and spiritual life, and working collaboratively with other departments in the <a href="/node/415091">Center for Intercultural Engagement</a>. However, I am still learning what this role is and can grow into, and I am open to learning more from folks on campus about what they would like to see from our office.</p> <p><strong>What's your favorite thing that's changed about 91ֱ�� since you were a student?</strong></p> <p>There are many new opportunities for student support and career development that I don't remember from when I was a student. New courses and concentrations and professors—I wish I could be a student again! Student life has evolved in a wonderful way since I was here before, and I love to see all of the collaboration and restructuring that better serves student needs. <br> <br> <strong>What's your favorite thing that hasn't changed?</strong></p> <p>Womb chairs, ExCos, OSCA, Art Rental, Organ Pump, TGIF, Winter Term, the Feve, Blue Rooster.<br> <br> <strong>What's one thing you would hope every student knows about the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life?</strong></p> <p>Religious and spiritual exploration is a lifelong journey. Whether you identify as traditionally observant, open-minded skeptic, spiritually curious, or grounded in your faith, we are here for you without judgment.<br> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">91ֱ�� was Samia Mansour’s top college choice. Now years removed from her graduation, she chose it all over again.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-12-08T12:00:00Z">Fri, 12/08/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3709">Religious and Spiritual Life</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After 91ֱ��</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3960">Center for Intercultural Engagement</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25421">Religion</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/samia-mansour" hreflang="und">Samia Mansour</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/david-dorsey" hreflang="und">David Dorsey</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/religion" hreflang="und">Religion</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>