Jeffrey F. Hines MD is the Interim Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for the University of Connecticut and the Chief Diversity Officer for UConn Health. He received his undergraduate degree from Brown University in Biology in May 1983. Jeff received his medical degree from The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University School of Medicine in May 1986. Dr. Hines completed a four-year residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora CO in 1990. Jeff was deployed with the First Cavalry Division as a Battalion Surgeon during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in 1991-1992. He went on to complete a three-year fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at Georgetown University Medical Center in June 1995. In addition to his duties as Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Hines currently has faculty appointments in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Public Health Sciences at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

Judy Lopez (she/ella) is Associate Director of Business Operations for ODI. She started at UConn in 2015, prior to UConn Judy worked in the public sector for over 20 years. She completed her undergrad in 2020 as a very non-traditional student taking classes with her children’s friends and completed her Masters in Public Administration in 2023. Judy has worked in Office of the Controller, ITS and Women’s Center during her tenure at UConn. Judy enjoys learning from others and networking. As part of networking, she is an active chair member of the Women of Color Collective (WoCC) and President of the Association of Latine Faculty and Staff (ALFAS). She is also a proud mom of 3 UConn alums.

Darlis Juvino (she/her) is a fourth-year PhD student in the Human Development and Family Sciences program, with a specialization in diversity and culture. Her research broadly goes into how identity takes shape, parental socialization, and the cultural adaption of interventions. After spending five years abroad as an international employee, she’s all for enhancing support for global student and employee communities on campus.

Chizobam (Chizzy) (he/him) is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) and works as a Graduate Assistant with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). He is Nigerian and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry as well as a medical degree. He has worked as a medical practitioner and a clinical instructor. His research interests include sociocultural and psychosocial determinants of chronic illness, and health equity.

Kelly (she/they) is a current PhD student in the Learning, Leadership, and Education Policy Program at the University of Connecticut. Kelly received her bachelor’s degree in social work at Ohio University in 2016 then her Master of Arts in Higher Education at the University of Denver (DU) in 2018, after which they worked 3 years full-time as a Case Manager. At UConn, they have supported the coordination of the International and Comparative Advancement of Racial Equity for Social Justice (ICARE4Justice) Summer Summit, held at the ECHO Center for Diversity Policy, University of Connecticut, and the University of Nottingham. Kelly’s research interests include whiteness embedded in educational policy and how institutional agents invoke police to protect white interests.

Omar (él/he/him) is a current PhD student in the Learning, Leadership, and Education Policy Program at the University of Connecticut. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics at Arizona State University and has a background working in finance, information technology, the nonprofit sector, and higher education. Prior to starting his doctoral studies at UConn, Omar worked as the coordinator of Achieving a College Education at Estrella Mountain Community College, which is a college preparatory program aimed to help first-generation, low-income, and minoritized students pursue higher education. He currently serves on the Undocumented Student Advisory Board at UConn and is board secretary of 3 community-focused nonprofit organizations in Arizona and in Connecticut. His research interests revolve around expanding access to higher education through workforce development initiatives and the development of industry partnerships with community colleges.

Jonelle A. Reynolds, Ph.D. (pronouns: she/her/hers), is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives. In her role, she develops, manages, and supports data-driven diversity and inclusion strategies for the University of Connecticut system including the regional campuses. She identifies gaps in resources and training, then works in partnership with community stakeholders (i.e., faculty, staff, and students) to meet those needs. She is also a certified facilitator in cultural intelligence and managing unconscious bias.

Furthermore, she earned a doctorate in Human Development and Family Sciences at UConn, a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Journalism at Baruch College [CUNY]. Her clinical and research experiences have afforded her the opportunity to work with diverse populations and levels of need.

Amara Khaled is a multidisciplinary designer based in Connecticut, currently in her third year as an MFA candidate in the Digital Media and Design Department at the University of Connecticut. With a focus on web and interactive media, Amara combines her background in Graphic Design and English—both of which she earned a BFA in from UConn—to create impactful work that bridges technology and storytelling. In addition to her studies, Amara teaches undergraduate courses in both Design and English, and serves as a Digital Media Specialist at UConn’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Her work is deeply influenced by social issues, culture, and identity, with a particular emphasis on the intersection of design and social impact. For her thesis, she is developing an interactive educational platform and digital oral history archive that addresses mental health stigma within the South Asian community.