Dr. Christopher Lester is a motivational speaker, presenter, mediation conflict resolution specialist, and consultant on human development, multicultural organizational development, cross cultural competencies, oppression theory, diversity transformation and youth empowerment issues.

Dr. Lester's lectures and workshops address important social issues related to race, gender, ability, class and religion. His research interests include looking at issues of equity in education, the roles of diversity and oppression in organizations and school settings, and the impact of race on educational outcomes.

Dr. Lester has traveled extensively throughout the United States and works with a variety of organizations and educational institutions on issues of personal and diversity transformation, cross cultural competencies, youth leadership and empowerment, multicultural organizational development and human development. Dr. Lester is the Director of the Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education, at the University of Maryland and President, CEO and founder of the National Educational Empowerment Summit, Inc. He has committed his life to helping others realize their fullest potential and recognize the ability to create empowering environments for all individuals.

Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold is the Associate Director for Assessment Programs and Student Development at OMSE. Dr. Gold is a native of Southern Virginia. She holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from James Madison University, a Masters of Divinity with an emphasis on Campus Ministry from Eastern Mennonite University, and a Doctor of Education degree from The George Washington University in higher education administration. In addition to her dissertation topic, "The Spiritual Development of Nonheterosexual Undergraduates," Dr. Gold also enjoys research concerning service learning, underrepresented student subcultures, first generation college students, and doctoral student support. Dr. Gold is the former Acting Director of the James Farmer Multicultural Center and co-director of the Student Transition Program at the University of Mary Washington. Dr. Gold also served as a campus minister at the University of Virginia. Dr. Gold is an ordained itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She spends the majority of her time with her partner - Baltimore native and Ravens fan, Charles Adam Gold II and her son Charles "Trai" Gold III.

Dottie (Bass) Chicquelo is Assistant Director at the University of Maryland, Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education with responsibility for Outreach and Programming, Service Learning, and the Student Ambassador’s program. Mrs. Chicquelo holds a Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree in Business Administration and is currently a Ph.D. student.

Her professional background includes over two decades of expertise in diversity, management and leadership development and implementation of major intercultural academic and social programming that address Native American Indian issues and other ethnic groups concerns.

She is member of the newly formed Native American Studies Working Group, the organizer and Staff Advisor for the OMSE’s Sister-2-Sister Academic Program; Advisor for both the American Indian Student Union, UM, and the Kappa Lambda XI Sorority, Alpha Chapter, UM. She spearheaded and directs the OMSE Summer Alternative Break Program.

Mrs. Chicquelo was appointed and serves on the UM President’s Commission on Women’s Issues, the UM President’s Commission on Disability Issues and the UM President’s Commission on Ethnic Minority Issues. She was named the UM “Women of Color” by the UM President’s Commission on Women Affairs. Also during her tenure here at the UM, she is presently Immediate Past President of the Black Faculty and Staff Association (UM). She is a charter member of the College Park, Maryland Toastmasters, and appointed “Ambassador for Peace” by the Inter-Religious and International Federation for World Peace for the United States and has been a member of their delegation traveling to several countries. She is a tribal roll member of the Southeastern Cherokee Council, Inc. (GA). She holds a lifetime membership in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and an active member of the Kettering Baptist Church., MD.

She has received numerous awards and accolades. She enjoys traveling and mentoring young adults.

Yanira Pacheco is the Assistant Director for Academic Outreach and Student Development for the Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education. She coordinates the Tutorial Program and the Road Maps to Success Program. Yanira holds a Bachelors of Arts in Public Communication with a specialization in Public Relations from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. She is currently working on her Masters degree in Mass Communication.

Yanira's previous institution was Iowa State University (ISU) where she served as the Coordinator of Recruitment and Retention Programs for multicultural students in the College of Human Sciences. Prior to this role she served as a Program Assistant for the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at ISU. As a student services professional she brings more than nine years of experience in the field.

Her areas of interest are the college experience for sophomore students, first generation students, learning communities, and student organization advising.  She enjoys gardening, reading and watching movies!

Tunji Sawyer, MBA, is the Assistant Director of Marketing and Technology for the Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education. He oversees OMSE's strategic marketing communications programs as well as technology integration that supports the office's mission of recruitment, retention, academic support and graduation for over 8000 students.

Tunji brings more than 13 years of experience in integrated marketing communications and technology management experience to OMSE. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles in both fields, including work as a senior public affairs officer, senior marketing copywriter and technical support supervisor for a multinational software firm.

He has delivered lectures and workshops on a wide-range of subject matter including, integrated marketng communications and netiquette. He also serves as an ad-hoc advisor to La Voz Latina, the University of Maryland's Latino campus newspaper.

As a strategic marketer, he has worked to support partnerships with several major brands, including InterAct, Sony, Nintendo, Sega, ESPN and Mattel .

Apart from his work at the University of Maryland, Tunji works as independent marketing consultant. His clientele has included the Washington Mystics and a diverse array of other entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations.

Tunji holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Marketing and Information Technology, respectively. 

Abimbola (Bola) Dawson moved to the United States in 1984 from Nigeria with an Associate Degree in Secretarial and Personnel Administration. She started working at UMCP in 1990 at the then Office of International Affairs for seven years. She left the UM to Tallahasse, Florida and then to Iowa where she worked at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa.

In 1999, she moved back to Maryland to work again at UM where she worked with the Academy of Leadership. She then got a position with OMSE in 2001. In OMSE, she is the Program Administrative Specialist - in charge of budget, purchasing, etc.

She received her bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management at UMUC and is currently enrolled in her master's program in Health Care Administration.

Norma Tomas is originally from El Salvador in Central America. She came to the United States in 1973. For 18 years, she worked with the University of the District of Columbia. In 2000 she joined the University of Maryland community in the Office of Multiethnic Student Education.

Mrs. Tomas received her Elementary School Teacher diploma from the "Escuela Normal España" in 1967. Before coming to this country, she worked as a teacher in an elementary school. Her hobbies are painting, gardening, going to shopping malls, and traveling.

Angelo Gomez was born in Concepcion, Chile. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Education and English as a Second Language from the Universidad de Concepcion. Currently, he is pursuing his doctorate degree in Counselor Education.
He is an active member of the American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association, where he has participated in many task forces and programs. He is also a certified rehabilitation counselor. 
Angelo lives in Washington, DC, which is one of his favorite cities in the United States. He enjoys attending many international events and movies.  

Biruk Haregu, born and raised in Ethiopia, is currently a Master of Public Policy Candidate in the Public Policy Program at the University of Maryland, College Park.  Biruk is specializing in International Development and is expected to graduate May 2013.  Biruk Holds a Bachelor of Art degree in International Affairs from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.  While at JMU, Biruk served as President of the African Student Organization, and as a Senator in the Student Government Association.  Upon graduation Biruk completed an internship at the United Nations Headquarters, an experience which reinforced his desire to pursue a career in development.Biruk serves as the coordinator for the College Success Scholars’ Program.  In this role, Biruk assists students in achieving academic excellence and degree requirements, serves as a liaison to parents, and implements short and long range advising goals as an assistant to Dr. Christopher Lester.  Furthermore, Biruk is a teaching assistant to Dr. Lester in the CSS weekly UNIV 100 course.

Christina Parrish

Graduate Intern

Phone: 301-405-5616

Christina Parrish is currently a Master of Public Policy Degree Candidate in the Public Policy Program at the University of Maryland, College Park, preparing to graduate with a concentration in Social Policy in May of 2012.  She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Culture and Politics and a Certificate in African Studies from Georgetown University.  Christina serves as the coordinator of the Road Maps to Success component of the College Success Scholars program, and her passions include, but are not limited to, youth, education, and fighting for justice for all.

Prior to working with the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education, Christina served as an Education Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington at the FBR Branch @ THEARC in Southeast Washington, DC.  Her direct service to youth and families in underserved communities inspires her to keep working hard for the good of people and for herself. 

 

Melody Chen

Graduate Assistant

Phone: 301-405-5616

Melody Chen is currently a graduate student at UMD pursuing a master’s of education in School Counseling. She received her bachelor's degree from UCSD (University of California, San Diego) with a major in Psychology and minor in Education, and since then has been focusing her career interests in social justice and supporting diverse students in the school system. She is currently serving as the coordinator of OMSE's Mentoring and Weekly Academic Honors Program and believes strongly in the efforts for student advocacy and equitable treatment among all races.