Collaborating on Inclusive Excellence

Achieving our goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion relies on the entire AU community coming together to move us collectively toward success. To facilitate collaboration on Inclusive Excellence, President Burwell created two leadership positions. The President's Council on Diversity and Inclusion (PCDI) has also been revamped, including a tri-chair leadership structure and a Student Advisory Council. Members of the community can communicate with the council at DICouncil@american.edu.

Drs. Fanta Aw and Amanda Taylor lead the cross-campus collaboration on Inclusive Excellence

Drs. Amanda Taylor and Fanta Aw lead the cross-campus collaboration on Inclusive Excellence.

Two positions have been created to support cross-campus efforts around inclusive excellence. In spring 2018, Dr. Fanta Aw added Inclusive Excellence to her responsibilites as Vice President of Campus Life, and Dr. Amanda Taylor joined the team a few months later as Assistant VP for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Amanda will work closely with the President's Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on their efforts.

Fanta's Full Profile Amanda's Full Profile

President's Council on Diversity and Inclusion

Xemina Varela, Jeff Rutenbeck, and Sabrina-Yvet D'Ameila

PCDI Tri-Chairs

To broadly represent the AU community, PCDI has moved to a tri-chair leadership model. Ximena Varela, Jeffrey Rutenbeck, and Sabrina-Yvet D'Almeida currently serve as committee tri-chairs.

Learn more about PDCI and its efforts.

Council Members

PCDI council members include faculty and staff from throughout the university.
One alumna, Kristen Eastlick, also serves on the council.

PCDI Tri-Chairs

Council Members

Kelly Alexander Director of Public Relations University Communications

Kendra Brown Senior Director, DIA WCL - Washington College of Law

Bridget Cooney Finance Project Manager Finance and Treasurer Office of

Rebecca Coughlin Associate Director, Graduate Enrollment Management SIS-School of Intl Service

Michelle Engert Scholar in Residence SPA - Justice, Law and Criminology

Sharjil Hasan Director, Project Management Office OIT - Enterprise Systems

Anthony Hollinger Director, Student Engagement & Diversity Initiatives Campus Life

Leena Jayaswal Professor SOC - School of Communication

Thi Nguyen-Southern Associate General Counsel General Counsel, Office of

Lindsay Northup-Moore Director Disability Support Academic Support and Access Center

Malini Ranganathan Assistant Professor SIS-School of Intl Service

Mark Schaefer University Chaplain Kay Spiritual Life Center

Amanda Taylor Asst Vice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Campus Life

Andrew Toczydlowski Director Student Development and Services KSB - Kogod School of Business

Perry Zurn Assistant Professor CAS - Philosophy and Religion