The primary goal of the MultiRacial Network (MRN) is to raise consciousness and awareness of multiracial issues in higher education
The Multiracial Network (MRN), one of four (4) networks within the Coalition for Multicultural Affairs (CMA), strives to help create and foster inclusive spaces within ACPA and postsecondary education with and for students, staff, and professionals who identify as multiracial, multiethnic, transracial adoptees, and with fluid racial identities. This will be accomplished through developing intentional educational initiatives, engaging in critical dialogue and community building, and supporting institutional change through advocacy on our campuses and within the larger ACPA organization. The Multiracial Network (MRN) seeks to be inclusive and welcomes everyone who is interested in advancing the organization's goals.
2020 Leadership Team
Kelli Campa (she/her/hers), Co-Chair
Kelli Campa is excited to be the co-chair for the Multiracial Network this year! She has been involved in the Multiracial Network (MRN) for 5 years. She currently works at William Paterson University as the Coordinator for Student Conduct and Special Programs and serves as one of the university’s Title IX Investigators. Originally a California native, she received her bachelor’s degree in Communications from California Lutheran University and her master’s in Higher Education from Iowa State University. In her free time, she loves to travel (both domestically and internationally), is an avid Netflixer, plays trivia with her partner, and enjoys hanging out with friends.
Lisa Combs (she/her/hers), Co-Chair
Lisa Combs received her B.A. in Political Science and English from The Ohio State University. She also received her M.S. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She served as a Program Coordinator in the Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Office for Loyola University Chicago. She is currently a Ph.D. student at The Ohio State University in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program. She identifies as a biracial Filipina woman and her research interests include multiraciality, leadership self-efficacy, and identity development.
Nicole Belisle (she/her/hers), Incoming Co-Chair
Dr. Nicole Belisle currently works as an Associate Chief Diversity officer for Strategic Initiatives at San Diego State University. She just recently completed her doctorate in the joint program at San Diego State University and Claremont Graduate University in Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs and Higher Education. Dr. Belisle has a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Education from UC Santa Cruz. After taking some time to work with elementary youth in the Bay Area, she went on to pursue her M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University in Sociology and Education with an emphasis in Education Policy. She identifies as Multiracial and Multiethnic and has dedicated much of her higher education studies to supporting Multiracial identity development and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in educational spaces. Her ethnic background consists of Jamaican, Chinese, Belizean, French, and Mayan roots.
Mitchell Foster (they/them/theirs), Incoming Co-Chair
Mitchell Foster is a new professional who graduated with a master’s in Public Administration and a certificate in Sexual Diversity Studies from California State University, Chico in May 2018. They currently serve as an Area Coordinator at Brown University. Mitchell identifies as bi-racial, Filipinx-white. They have done research in the areas of bi-raciality, non-binary gender identity, and intersectionality. Through their research, they ultimately want to inform college curricula by highlighting the importance of using an intersectional framework in dismantling interlocking systems of oppression.
Laura Carroll (she/her/hers), Past Chair
Laura Carroll is a proud native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and identifies as multiracial, African American, and Scotch Irish. Currently, she is an Academic Program Coordinator for Student Support Services (SSS) at the University of Delaware. She received her M.Ed. in College Student Personnel Administration from James Madison University and her B.S. in Business Administration from Slippery Rock University. Her professional experience surrounds the areas of diversity and inclusion, equity and access, academic advising, and retention. An active member of ACPA for the past 9 years, Laura is excited to continue serving on the Multiracial Network (MRN) Leadership Team in the Past Chair role. Through her involvement with MRN, she has had the opportunity to facilitate presentations, coordinate social events, and meet some amazing folx! She believes that MRN provides a safe space for multiracial educators and allies to engage in critical dialogue and shared experiences. Favorite quote: “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” -Audre Lorde
Paige Thomas (she/her/hers), Awards Coordinator
Paige Thomas is an Indianapolis, Indiana native and a two-time graduate of Indiana University. Prior to entering Higher Education and Student Affairs, she taught second-grade for three years in a metropolitan school district in Indianapolis. She currently serves as a second-year Coordinator for Residence Life at UNC Greensboro and is involved in professional staff recruitment/retention/recognition, residential curriculum, and social justice initiatives. She attributes much of the salience of her multiracial identity to her parents, Frank and Tammy, who have been together since they were sixteen years old (only years after Virginia v. Loving was passed) and always celebrated the bothness of her identity as Black (African American) and White woman. This will be Paige’s first role on the Multiracial Network leadership team.
Alicia Stites, Culture Fest Liaison
Alicia Stites was born in Germany and as a military child has lived in numerous places, but calls Austin, Texas home. She is currently an Associate Academic Advisor at the University of Texas at Austin. She received her bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies from UT Austin and worked in the education non-profit sector for about 5 years before attending Texas State University for a master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education. She identifies as bi-racial, Korean/White. Her main research interests include multiracial student identity development, particularly with environment and involvement.
Brandon Arnold (he/him/his), Publications Co-Coordinator
Brandon Arnold is currently a second-year master’s student in the Student Affairs Administration Program at Michigan State University (MSU). At MSU, he holds an assistantship as an Assistant Community Director with Residence Education and Housing Services (REHS) in addition to serving in the Dean of Students Office. Brandon’s passion for student affairs and advocating for the experiences of multiracial individuals began during his undergraduate career at the University of Connecticut where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Sciences. He identifies as a biracial (Black/White) man. Brandon’s research interests include multiraciality and gender as well as the experience of multiracial graduate students. This is his first role within ACPA and the Multiracial Network.
Kamrie Risku (she/her/hers), Publications Co-Coordinator
Kamrie was born in Duluth, Minnesota but she has lived all over the United States and Europe. She eventually landed in North Carolina and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina State University before attending the University of Maryland, College Park to earn her Master of Education in Higher Education, Student Affairs, and International Education Policy. Kamrie now serves as the Associate Dean of Students for Leadership Development and Service-Learning at St. Timothy’s School. As Black Multiracial woman, her research interests include multiraciality in educational contexts and applying justice-oriented frameworks to develop engaged teaching pedagogies. In her free time she enjoys listening to podcasts, cooking for loved ones, and “dogspotting”. This is her first role within ACPA and the Multiracial Network.
Hannah Honor (she/they), Social Events Coordinator
Hannah is excited to join the Leadership Team as the Multiracial Network’s (MRN) Social Events Coordinator! Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, she has lived in Chicago for the last seven years. She is currently a Membership Coordinator at Black Youth Project 100 and Educational Trainer at Youth Empowerment Performance Project. She also develops leadership and identity development curriculum. Hannah received her B.A. and B.S.W. in Political Science and Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. She also received her M.S.W. in Community Organizing and Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Previously, she served as a Program Coordinator in the Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Office for Loyola University Chicago.
Mark Dawson (he/him/his), Scholarship and Resources Coordinator
Mark Dawson was born and raised in San Diego, California. Currently, he serves as a Diversity Education Specialist in the Department of Multicultural Services at Texas A&M. Mark coordinates the Race, Identity, and Social Equity (RISE) Initiative, a year-long undergraduate research program, and conference. He oversees the Diversity Certificate Program in the College of Liberal Arts and teaches a course that focuses on Multicultural Leadership. Mark currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from San Diego State University and is currently working on his doctoral degree in Sociology. His main research areas are Race, Class, Gender, and the Sociology of Education.
Caitlin Lindsay, Secretary and Historian
Caitlin Lindsay serves as the Associate Director of Student Activities and Greek Life at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She identifies as biracial – Sri Lankan and African American. Her higher education journey began at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where she earned Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Social Work. Following the completion of her bachelor’s degree, she traveled to St. Cloud State University to pursue a Mater of Science in Higher Education Administration. She has experience in Admissions, Diversity and College Access, conduct, fraternity and sorority life, student involvement, and union operations. Although Caitlin has been involved with ACPA in a variety of forms (Ambassadors Program, 2018 and 2019 Convention Planning Team – Programming Team, and Commission for Campus Safety and Emergency Preparedness Directorate member), this will be her first role with the Multiracial Network.
Jessica Davis (she/her/hers), Social Media Co-Coordinator
A native of Western North Carolina, Jessica received a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Western Carolina University (WCU). She spent 6 years in the mental health field, providing services to adolescents with various behavioral and mental health needs before returning to WCU in the fall of 2019. Jessica is currently pursuing her master’s in Higher Education Student Affairs. She serves as the Graduate Coordinator for Leadership Programs and has served as an intern for WCU’s Center for Career and Professional Development and the distance learning campus. Her areas of interest include leadership development for Black and multiracial students, multiracial student development, and colorism in the Black community. This is Jessica’s first role within ACPA and the Multiracial Network.
Hana Zewdie, Social Media Co-Coordinator
Hana Zewdie was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and spent most of her life in Portland, Oregon. She earned a B.A. in International Relations from Gonzaga University and an M.A. in Higher Education, Student Affairs, and International Education Policy with a concentration in Student Affairs from the University of Maryland. Her professional roles have included working with identity centers at various colleges and universities, academic advising, and nonprofit diversity consulting for employers. Hana’s research and professional interests include dialogue-based learning, experiences of multiracial student affairs practitioners, critical consciousness development, and intragroup relations among critically conscious student populations.
Caitlyn LoMonte (she/her/hers), Sponsored Programs Coordinator
Caitlyn LoMonte was born and raised in Gainesville, Florida. Caitlyn earned her Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies and Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Florida where she was a part of the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program, a scholarship program for first-generation, low-income college students. She served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the University of Florida providing resources, support, and outreach to first-generation college students and high-risk high school students before moving to Chicago, IL to pursue a Master of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies from DePaul University. She currently serves as the Program Director for Social Justice Education at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. Caitlyn identifies as a Multiracial Black Woman and is passionate about social change, identity development, education, and empowerment.
Victoria K. Malaney Brown (she/her/hers), Previous Chair, Leadership Team Member
Dr. Victoria K. Malaney Brown is the inaugural Director of Academic Integrity at Columbia University for undergraduates at Columbia College and Columbia Engineering schools. She serves on the ACPA Governing Board as the Assembly Coordinator Elect for Coalitions and Networks. Victoria is a research affiliate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Center for Student Success Research (CSSR) where her research interests focus on multiracial college students, intergroup dialogue, critical consciousness, critical race theory/MultiCrit, and student activism. These research interests stemmed from her multiracial identity and experiences as a first-generation undergraduate and graduate student. Victoria identifies as an Indo-Caribbean (Trinidadian) American, Spanish, and White (Irish). She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Skidmore College in English-Spanish with minors in Dance and Latin American Studies and her master’s degree and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Rachel Luna (she/her/hers), Previous Chair, Leadership Team Member
Rachel Luna has been connected to the Multiracial Network (MRN) since 2010 and is a past chair. She joined MRN as a graduate student and immediately found a professional and personal home. She stays involved with this community of scholars and practitioners because she continues to learn with and from our members. Through her involvement with MRN, she has presented at conferences, hosted webinars, enjoyed socials, read articles, and chatted on social media with some really great folks. She spends her days in Career Services at Diablo Valley College in the California Bay Area. Most nights and weekends, she is wearing her other hat as a doctoral student in Higher Education Leadership through Colorado State University. She explores multiraciality and digital technologies while working with others to create more just communities.
Beth John (she/her/hers), Previous Chair, Leadership Team Member
Beth John has been working in higher education for 16 years. She is currently the Director of First-Year Experience and adjunct faculty member in the Higher Education Leadership Graduate program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Beth also serves as a Dissertation Advisor for the Edgewood College Doctoral program in Educational Leadership. Beth received her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education from Edgewood College and her M.S. in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University. Beth’s primary areas of interest and research include multiracial identity development, diversity and inclusion, first-year students, and students in transition. Beth has been actively involved with ACPA for many years and has held several leadership positions within the Commission for Student Involvement, Standing Committee for Multicultural Affairs: Multiracial Network (MRN), and the Mid-Level Community of Practice. She has been involved with MRN since 2009 and is a past chair. Beth serves a co-advisor to the first Mixed Race Student Union (mXd) at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, which was established in 2015.
Michael Dixon (he/him/his), Previous Chair, Leadership Team Member
Michael Dixon has worked in higher education since 2004 in a variety of departments (intramurals, residential life, multicultural affairs, student activities, admissions, career development, and international student support services) at 10 different institutions. He is currently a doctoral candidate (ABD) in Educational Leadership, Higher Education Administration at Indiana State University. Michael’s research interests include diversity, equity, inclusion, intersectionality, multiculturalism, interculturalism, and multicultural greek organizations (NPHC, NAFLO, MGC). His father is from Jamaica and his mother hails from the collection of islands in Southeast Asia (The Philippines).
Rob Kunicki (he/him/his), Previous Chair, Leadership Team Member
Rob Kunicki was born and raised in New York City to a second-generation New Yorker and an Ecuadorian immigrant. A first-generation college student, Rob holds a BSEd in Adolescence Education with a concentration in Mathematics and an MSEd in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from St. John’s University as well as an MA in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Urban Education at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY). He has experience working in New Student Orientation, First-Year Seminar Peer Mentoring, and Fraternity and Sorority Life. Currently, Rob serves as the Assistant Director for Student Success, Assessment, and Enrollment Initiatives at Baruch College of the City University of New York (CUNY) where he has been able to translate his experience in student life to his work with retention and graduation initiatives in Enrollment Management. Rob is driven by his passions for education, exploring cultural identities, leadership development, and equal opportunity and access. He is a self-proclaimed data nerd who works diligently to support his Division to improve the student experience and meet strategic priorities.
Erika Roach (she/her/hers), Program Reviewer, Leadership Team Member
Erika Roach is the Assistant Director of Stanford University’s Inclusion and Diversity Education (DGen) Office. In her role, she teaches courses in intergroup communication and facilitates campus-wide workshops on topics including identity, inclusion, and bias. Erika received both her M.A. in Psychology and her B.A. in Psychology and Human Biology from Stanford University. She celebrates her Black and Filipina (“Blasian”) identity and as a student, was actively involved in and served as co-president of the Multiracial Identified Community (MICS). She is deeply interested in the intersection of identity, belonging, and mental health and how this impacts academic and career outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, traveling, playing with dogs, and baking for friends and family. She is originally from sunny Corona, California, and now resides in the Bay Area.