The Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness will cultivate a welcoming and safe space for all members of the Fitchburg State University community and support each person individually by recognizing and respecting all cultures, perspectives and experiences. Through programming and partnerships we will provide opportunities for acceptance, understanding and celebration.
We coordinate and maintain a campus-wide program that reflects the university's mission to support the development of the whole person by engaging students in an inclusive environment through the following:
- Promotion of active involvement
- Collaboration
- Education and leadership opportunities
- Ensuring each students goal fulfillment
CDI is my "go to" place, especially after a tough day! It is also the place where I get the necessary encouragement, and guidance.
Michelle Valentin
Latin American Student Organization
We provide the tools of understanding, sensitivity, and acceptance to diversity in its many varied forms. It is our mission to the Fitchburg State student, and its community, that they:
- Be exposed to cultural diversity
- Learn to be accepting of people and ideas not their own
- Acquire sensitivity and knowledge of cultural differences
- Develop techniques on how to best deal with diversity issues
- Advance your personal skills and demonstrate competencies' in understanding diversity
The members of the Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness will design, plan, and oversee the delivery of various programs, such as:
- Heritage Month Celebrations
- Multicultural education
- Cultural activities designed to contribute to a positive campus culture of appreciation and respect for differences
The center advises active, diverse student organizations such as:
- Black Student Union
- Latin American Student Organization
- Focus On Faith
- Asian Cultural Society
- World Integrated Nations
- Gay Straight Alliance
...on topics such as:
- Program planning
- Leadership development
- Heritage celebration
...including such multicultural events as:
- Latin American Heritage Month
- Black History Month
- Native American Month
- Asian Pacific Month
- Woman's History Month
- Gay Pride Week
CDI recognizes me as an individual. Jamie has always helped me meet the challenges of my studies, along with mixing in a whole lot of fun into my day. CDI rocks!
Ulrich Mbakop
Senior Biology Major and FWS Student
CDI Office Staff
Director for Student Diversity, Equity and Belonging Programs
Junior Peña he/him/his
As Director, Junior develops comprehensive training around Justice and Liberation, supports LGBTQ+ issues, facilitates identity-based dialogues, assesses how to better serve minoritized students, and contributes to campus-wide equity and inclusion efforts. As a first-generation graduate, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology and communication from the University of Massachusetts-Boston and a Master of Science degree in higher education student affairs at Florida State University. Junior has a deep admiration for supporting students with marginalized identities, co-creating intentional learning spaces, and re-imagining professionalism through authenticity. In his free time, Junior loves visiting family, experiencing live music, and watching cartoons.
If interested in connecting with Junior, please email him directly at JPena7@fitchburgstate.edu.
Coordinator for the Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness
Jamie Cochran she/her/hers
Jamie has spent her 26 years at Fitchburg State University advocating for students, with a focus on quality educational opportunities, inside and outside of the classroom, as well as providing welcoming environments that ensure full inclusion and acceptance. She is committed to student achievement for students of all backgrounds and academic strengths and challenges. Jamie is proud to identify herself as a first-generation graduate completing her undergraduate studies at Assumption University in mathematics and her master's degree in economics at Boston College. Jamie cares deeply about Fitchburg State's students and strives to get to know their unique needs and realities. Jamie enjoys traveling to Maine with her husband, visits from her two grown children, and her cats!
To connect with Jamie, please email her directly at JCochran@fitchburgstate.edu.
CDI Ambassador
Krismelly Grullon Rojas she/her/hers
Krismelly hails from the Dominican Republic and calls Lawrence, Massachusetts home. Krismelly is an early childhood education major with a double minor in special education and Spanish. What drives Krismelly to pursue her education is her passion for giving back to the community. More specifically, Krismelly loves helping Hispanic/LatinX children find their community through education. When she is not studying or working on campus, Krismelly enjoys running and working out.
To connect with Krismelly, please email DiversityCenter@fitchburgstate.edu and request to speak with her by name.
CDI Ambassador
Angela Melodie Noel-Polynice she/her/hers
Music is Angela’s home. If we are considering a physical space, Ayiti is Angela's true home. Angela is majoring in engineering technology with a concentration in architecture and a minor in mathematics. Angela’s passion is to develop the necessary skills, connections, and capacity to return home and improve the motherland. When she is not studying or working on campus, Angela can be found enjoying a nice nap.
To connect with Angela, please email DiversityCenter@fitchburgstate.edu and request to speak with her by name.
CDI Ambassador
Jalin Paulino Diaz she/her/hers
Jalin calls home anywhere she feels most comfortable and loved, where her family and friends are located, and where she can grow as a person. Jalin is a double major in mathematics and middle school education. Jalin is incredibly passionate about learning languages as a way to build community and connect with others. "When you speak to someone in their native tongue, it goes to their heart, but if you speak to them in their second language it goes to their head,” she said. Jalin hopes to use this passion to inform her work with adolescents and youth in the United States and globally. When she is not studying or working on campus, Jalin enjoys binge-watching movies/tv shows, talk about real-life issues, reminiscing, dancing, and spending time with friends/family.
To connect with Jalin, please email DiversityCenter@fitchburgstate.edu and request to speak with her by name.
CDI Ambassador
Anthony De Leon he/him/his
Anthony is currently a third-year student at Fitchburg State, with a major in criminal justice as part of our 4+1 police program. He identifies as Guatemalan but was proudly born and raised in Lynn, Massachusetts. As a criminal justice major, Anthony is passionate about making the world a safer place for youth, both nationally and globally. Anthony always tries to make his parents proud on campus, understanding their significant sacrifices to get him where he is today. When he is not studying or working on campus, Anthony can be found enjoying the surrounding areas, hanging out with friends, spending time with his dog Tito, visiting family, and working on himself.
To connect with Anthony, please email DiversityCenter@fitchburgstate.edu and request to speak with him by name.
CDI Ambassador
Ashley Giron she/her/hers
Ashley calls Lynn, Massachusetts her home as a place that has contributed significantly to who she is as a person. Ashley is currently studying in the criminal justice program and is incredibly passionate about the rights of both women and marginalized communities in general. When she is not studying or working on campus, Ashley can be found spending time with her family and dog, going to concerts, and hanging out with friends.
To connect with Ashley, please email DiversityCenter@fitchburgstate.edu and ask to speak with her by name.
Graduate Assistant
Mary Nankya she/her/hers
Mary joins the Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness from Kampala, Uganda, and calls Fitchburg, Massachusetts home. Mary is a graduate student pursuing a Master's degree in Computer Science. Mary is committed to advocating for the advancement of diversity and continues to be a champion for positive and inclusive environments. She directly supports student success by contributing to student organization development, programming initiatives, and research for the department. Mary is a highly engaged, intuitive, and collaborative team player who builds strong relationships at all levels.
To connect with Mary, please email DiversityCenter@fitchburgstate.edu and request to speak with her by name
We look forward to meeting you, and becoming friends.
The Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness runs several events, including:
- CDI Leadership Retreat
- Telling our Stories: A collaborative project between CDI and the Fitchburg State Community
- CDI got Talent!
- Read to Lead Book Club Series
- Orientation/Reception for freshmen and upperclassmen
- "Chill by the Grill" winter barbecue
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Questions? Get in Touch!
Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness
The Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness (CDI) delivers programs designed to contribute to a positive campus culture of appreciation and respect for differences.
Hammond Hall G04
Junior Peña
Director for Student Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Programs (Pronouns: He/Him/His)
Hammond Hall G04C
Jamie Cochran
Coordinator of the Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness (Pronouns: She/Her/Hers)
Hammond Hall G04B