Shana Lee, Kent State University’s Assistant Dean of Students, has been selected to serve as a member of the Association of Higher Education Parent Program Professionals (AHEPPP) Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) Task Force. AHEPPP is the premier national association for higher education professionals who work with parents and family members of college students.
Lee, who currently oversees engagement of Kent State’s parents and families, spent 26 years working with the university’s underrepresented students as Director of the Student Multicultural Center and later the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“I felt my experiences at Kent State made me a qualified applicant,” she said. “Also, as a new member to the organization, I felt this was a prime opportunity to learn more and engage in the work I am passionate about.”
Lee is one of six selected by the Board of Directors to serve on the DEAI Task Force.
Executive Director for AHEPPP Lindsay McKinney said she is thrilled to have someone of Lee’s caliber join the Task Force.
“We are truly so excited and optimistic about our new DEAI Task Force and grateful for the committed members [like Shana] who are willing to serve and lead in this new initiative.”
Together, with leaders from the AHEPPP Board of Directors, the DEAI Task Force will:
- Develop a plan for a new AHEPPP Committee to be submitted to the Board of Directors
- Name the Committee
- Define Committee goals, make-up, and application process
- Define what an anti-racist association means
- Develop an Association of Higher Education Parent Program Professionals and DEAI statement
- Develop a strategic plan for an ongoing Committee
Ultimately, Lee is optimistic this experience will bolster not only Kent State’s parents and family engagement efforts, but those of all universities.
“It is my hope the final outcomes generated will provide a framework for parent and family areas to be intentional with regard to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion,” Lee said.
For more information on family engagement in higher education, visit the AHEPPP website.