Dean for Equity and Inclusion Earns a Doctorate in Education

In this Q&A we speak with Renee Johnson-Thornton, dean for equity and inclusion. Q: Renee, when did you come to Wesleyan and what was your first position? When did you join the Office of Equity and Inclusion? A: I was hired in 1998 to be the associate director of the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. The Office of Equity and Inclusion was established in 2013 following the hiring of Vice President Antonio Farias. Prior to his arrival, I served as dean for diversity and student engagement from 2009-2013, and the associate coordinator of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program from 2000-2013. I…

The Office of Human Resources reported the following new hires, transitions and departures for November and December 2014: Newly hired David Shimomura was hired as a program coordinator in the Center for the Arts on Nov. 3. Fernando Vargas-Lara was hired as a post doctoral research associate in the Physics Department on Nov. 3. Jayana Mitchell was hired as an accounting specialist in the Chemistry Department on Nov. 10. Angela Wong was hired as a project manager in Physical Plant-Facilities on Dec. 1. Jessie Cohen was hired as an archaeological collections manager in the Office of Academic Affairs on Dec. 1 Alexander Chremos…

The Office of Human Resources reported the following new hires, transitions and departures for October 2014: Newly hired Samantha O’Neill was hired as marketing and outreach coordinator in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program Office on Oct. 1. Scott Rohde was hired as director of public safety in the Office of Public Safety on Oct. 1. Anya Backlund was hired as exhibitions coordinator/institute for curatorial practice in performance coordinator in the Center for the Arts on Oct. 6. Jonathan Farrar was hired as senior investment associate in the Investment Office on Oct.14. Roney Thomas was hired as post doctoral research associate in the Physics Department…

Scott Backer, associate dean of students, and Rick Culliton, assistant vice president/dean of students, received a Cardinal Achievement Award in October for completing the federally mandated campus crime (Clery) report for the past two years. This special honor comes with a $250 award and reflects the university’s gratitude for those extra efforts. They completely revised and updated the report from previous years and incorporated additional edits to ensure the data in the report was accurate. This involved collaborating with various offices on campus. They took on this responsibility in the absence of the Public Safety Director who is typically responsible…

Twenty-one Wesleyan employees were honored by President Michael Roth at the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon on Oct. 16 in Beckham Hall. All the individuals have worked at Wesleyan for at least 20 years. This year, the employees honored included: Judith Goodale, Linda Shettleworth, Susan Lastrina, Jeffrey Gilarde, Alice Scholar, Cynthia Rockwell, Robert Lancefield, Joel LaBella, Rosanna Pandolfo, Barbara Schukoske, Benjiman Jackson, Gail Winter, Pearlina Jackson, Joan Schenker, Robert Weber, Nicola David, Ernesto Marino, Michael Patterson, Tony Bostick, Sergei Bunaev and Angela Morgan. The event was sponsored by the Office of Human Resources.

The Office of Human Resources reported the following new hires and departures for September 2014: Newly hired Janani Iyer was hired as a research assistant/lab coordinator in the Psychology Department on Sept. 2. Ilona Bass was hired as a research assistant/lab coordinator in the Psychology Department on Sept. 2. Paul Wilson Cauley was hired as a researcher in the Astronomy Department on Sept. 8. Franklin Huynh was hired as a senior budget analyst in the Office of Financial Planning on Sept. 15. Michael Schramm was hired as assistant director of the Wesleyan Fund on Sept. 15. Luigi Solla was hired an associate…

Scott Rohde became Wesleyan's new Public Safety director the first week of October. The long-term police chief at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse says he's looking forward to new partnerships between the campus community and Public Safety, and pursuing other initiatives as head of the university's 30-plus member safety team. Q: Welcome to Wesleyan, Scott. What attracted you to Wesleyan? A: I was attracted to Wesleyan by its reputation as well as its strong commitment to a solid liberal arts education. During the interview process and my visit here I felt very welcome and comfortable both on campus and in the community.…

Cathy-Lee Rizza, assistant director of student accounts for Auxiliary Operations and Campus Services, received a Cardinal Achievement Award in September. This special honor comes with a $150 award and reflects the university’s gratitude for those extra efforts. On March 20, Wesleyan’s Campus Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) hosted a public health disaster response exercise for the Middletown community at the Freeman Athletic Center. Rizza was asked to create security access and a special C-CERT identification cards for almost 50 participants. Without hesitation, she designed a logo, established security access and produced the necessary ID cards enabling the event to proceed without issue. Award recipients are nominated…

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Rose Pandolfo, staff accountant for grant administration in the Finance Office received a Cardinal Achievement Award for her work in providing critical information in solving a complex problem with a grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This special honor comes with a $150 award and reflects the university’s gratitude for those extra efforts. The award recipients are nominated by department chairs and supervisors. Nominations can be made anytime throughout the year. For more information or to nominate a staff member for the award, visit the Human Resources website and scroll down to Cardinal Achievement Award under “Forms.”…

The Office of Human Resources reported the following new hires and departures for August 2014: Newly hired Sydney Lewis was hired as an assistant dean of admission on Aug. 4. William Jack was hired as the associate dean of admission and financial aid on Aug. 4. Nicholas Vennochi was hired as a sports information intern on Aug. 11. Caitlyn DeClement joined the President's Office as an office assistant on Aug. 18. (more…)

Scott Rohde will become Wesleyan's new director of Public Safety on Oct. 1. Since 1998, Rohde has served as director of Police Services at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse where he managed safety and security operations for a campus population of 10,000 students, faculty and staff. Prior to working in higher education, he worked for 10 years in municipal policing in a small town in Wisconsin. Rohde holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and a BS from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, where he majored in criminal justice and minored in sociology. "After an extensive search, I’m confident…

Dean for Equity and Inclusion Earns a Doctorate in Education

Staff on the Move, November, December 2014

Staff on the Move, October 2014

Backer, Culliton, Quinones Honored with Cardinal Achievement Awards

21 Employees Honored at Recognition Luncheon

Staff on the Move, September 2014

New Public Safety Director Looks Forward to Campus Partnerships

Rizza Honored with Cardinal Achievement Award

Wesleyan Employees Artwork on Display in Usdan

Pandolfo Honored with Cardinal Achievement Award

Staff on the Move, August 2014

Rohde Hired as Wesleyan’s New Director of Public Safety