Programs, Resources, & Events
Current Programs
The Student Diversity Officers (SDOs) at Purdue’s John Martinson Honors College are an interdisciplinary team of undergraduates who facilitate evidence-based peer-education on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). The SDOs research the experiences of minoritized and underrepresented students in higher education, strategies for building inclusive campus environments, and inclusive student-leadership practices.
They transform research into educational materials/experiences to train student leaders, peer-mentors, undergraduate TAs, and RAs to be inclusive, equity-oriented, and interculturally aware in their engagement with students.
Through workshops, trainings, learning modules, and student-panels, the SDOs equip undergraduates to undertake difficult conversations and foster equity-minded and inclusive practices in their personal, academic, and professional lives. The SDOs have received multiple grants and awards, including the NEH’s INcommon Grant, Purdue University’s Experiential Education Grant, and Council for Undergraduate Research’s Scholars Transforming Through Research Fellowship. Currently, the SDOs are working on a research project to publicize the importance of DEI-focused peer education, and to offer a template for other universities to develop peer-education programs that equip undergraduates on DEIB issues.
Autumn Reynolds
reyno225@purdue.edu
Autumn Reynolds (she/her/hers) is a freshman majoring in public health with the intent to concentrate in health policy and management. She was born and raised in Michigan City, Indiana with four siblings. She has a passion for all things belonging, equity, and inclusion (BEI) and is pursuing that by working on projects and joining organizations and clubs with a BEI-centered mission. She wants to continue this passion in her career by helping make healthcare more accessible and equitable for all people, no matter their socioeconomic status. She hopes to continue this passion at Purdue working with her fellow Student Diversity Officers doing research, workshops, and planning BEI-centered events for the John Martinson Honors College community. She is excited to grow her skills and knowledge through this position. Outside of her SDO responsibilities, she enjoys reading, participating in other organizations on campus, listening to R&B music, and going on wellness walks.
Emily Cahue
Ecahue@purdue.edu
Emily Cahue (she/her/hers) is a second-year honors student majoring in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Management. She is a proud first-generation Latina college student who aspires to be at the forefront of the design and implementation of health equity and disease prevention initiatives in the future. Her passion for promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) not only within the health field but also in the Purdue community, led her to get involved as a Student Diversity Officer (SDO). Being an SDO has given her a voice to advocate for underrepresented groups, the skills to become a peer educator, the language to engage in DEIB conversations, and the vision to view the world from an equity-based lens. It has been an empowering experience for Emily to work, grow, and learn alongside young leaders like her that share the same mission of creating a space where every person belongs and feels included through the power of peer education.
¡Yo hablo español! - I speak Spanish!
Danielle Ejiogu
dejiogu@purdue.edu
Danielle Ejiogu (she/her/hers) is a first-year student majoring in Computer Science. Danielle was born in Boston, MA and raised in Houston, Texas by Nigerian immigrants. She is passionate about science, social justice, and the arts. She is eager to learn and grow in this position and with the community at large. In her spare time, she loves to brows Letterboxd and write essays. She is excited to begin working as an SDO to support marginalized students within the Honors College and be a part of designing programs that enhance inclusion and belonging.
Mia Yates
yatesmm@purdue.edu
Mia Yates (she/her/hers) is originally from Chicago Heights, OL, but has lived in Fishers, IN for most of her life. She is currently a sophomore studying pre-pharmacy with the intent to earn a Pharm-D and a minor in Spanish for the Professions. She loves chemistry, music, dancing, food, and spending time with friends. She is passionate about addressing the racial and social disparity in the US healthcare system and
in academia. The SDO opportunity has helped her support her peers and create an inclusive environment within the Honors College and beyond. Additionally, being an SDO pushes her to think critically about my own beliefs and encourages me to continuously learn, unlearn, and relearn how I approach diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging topics. She is excited to continue working with a team who shares the common goal of creating an environment that fosters diversity of thought, culture, an experience.
Olanrewaju Sodunke
osodunke@purdue.edu
Olan Sodunke (he/him/his) is an Honors College student in his sophomore year, majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Business Economics. He is a proud first-generation college student who is passionate about a career in mechatronics and the automotive industry. Olan was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria and moved to the United States where he now lives in Indianapolis, IN with his parents and two siblings. Armed with his experiences of transitioning into a different culture both in and out of academic spaces, he currently serves as a Student Diversity Officer (SDO). In this position, Olan is dedicated to converting evidence-based research into educational material in the form of workshops, events, and panel discussions to help other peer-leaders learn about issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and to be more inclusive and equity-minded in their engagement. When he is not studying engineering or engaging in materials for peer-education, Olan spends his time running, cooking, watching anime, and appreciating the great outdoors.
Nehemiah Boyd
boyd151@purdue.edu
Nehemiah Boyd (he/him/his) is a first-year studying Neurobiology and Physiology with a minor in Spanish for the Professions. Coming from Indianapolis, IN, Nehemiah strives to bridge the gap between the many diverse individuals within the John Martinson Honors College. In his new role as an SDO, he hopes to create a stronger understanding of diversity and enhance belonging within the college. In this position, Nehemiah intends to learn more about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) issues, especially within the medical sector to improve care throughout the community and beyond.
Victor Garcia
vgarciam@purdue.edu
Victor Gerardo Garcia Mosqueda (he/him/his) is a junior majoring in planetary sciences and minoring in astronomy. He was raised in Cortazar, Guanajuato, Mexico and moved to Houston at the age of ten. Victor is a first-generation college student who is passionate about issues of social justice, especially race and class. He finds that being an SDO is an amazing position that allows for the voices of marginalized students on campus to be represented and catered to with content they care about and can relate to. Victor hopes that through his position as an SDO, more action can be taken to make Purdue a place where marginalized students can thrive with the resources necessary.
JMHC’s faculty and staff host monthly conversations over lunch to demonstrate how we integrate issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into multiple facets of our life. These collaborative conversations will enhance your world-readiness and empower you with skills to build diverse and inclusive residential, academic, and professional communities at Purdue and beyond. Lunch is provided for all participants.
At Home in Honors Spring Sessions
January 11, 2023
February 1, 2023
March 1, 2023
April 5, 2023
Resources
Archive of Past Events
If you are interested in any of these topics or want to work with us, please contact us at mendoz71@purdue.edu.