The University of North Carolina Wilmington has named 12 faculty and staff members to its new Diversity and Inclusion Fellows Program, according to a news release.

The new program was established by the UNCW Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, in partnership with the Office of the Provost, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Business Affairs and the Office of General Counsel, stated the release.

Members will collaborate with these offices to design programs, policies, and/or procedures that "focus on cultivating inclusive partnerships or community engagement with diverse external organizations," said Donyell Roseboro, the university’s interim chief diversity officer, in the release.

Each member can serve for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three consecutive years. 

"The program gives us the opportunity to extend the work while at the same time expanding our creative capacity to foster an inclusive climate at UNCW,” Roseboro said. "We have staff and faculty with a wide range of expertise in research, writing, problem-solving, academic and student services, documentary film, and photojournalism. I am thrilled to have such a diverse group joining us. It is my hope that the program will strengthen our collaborative efforts and help us to better cultivate a sense of belonging for students, faculty and staff.”

The fellows are:

• Babette Boyd, senior lecturer, Department of Sociology and Criminology
• Kimberly Cook, professor of sociology and criminology, Department of Sociology and Criminology
• Melissa Crowe, lecturer and MFA coordinator, Department of Creative Writing
• Teddy Howell, residence coordinator, Housing & Residence Life
• Jeff Janowski, photography services manager, Office of University Relations
• Mike Jefferson, residence coordinator, Housing & Residence Life
• Venita Jenkins, content and communication specialist, Office of University Relations
• Leah Mayo, Center for Healthy Communities coordinator, College of Health and Human Services
• Christine Pesetski, assistant dean of undergraduate studies and University College director, University College
• J. Randolph Jr., associate professor of Spanish and education and world language teacher education coordinator, Department of World Languages and Cultures
• Masha Shpolberg, assistant professor of film studies, Department of Film Studies
• Taniesha Young, freshman admissions coordinator, Office of Admissions