Latrina L. Denson
Director
ldenson@millikin.edu
Latrina grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana. She completed a B.S. in Psychology and a Minor in Vocal Performance from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 1994. In 1997, Ms. Denson completed her M.Ed in Community Counseling from University of Louisiana at Monroe. After completing her masters, she worked at Albion College in Albion, Michigan as a Resident Hall Director/ Wellness Education Coordinator for two years. She then became the Associate Director for Campus Programs and Organizations two years and finally, completed her tenure at Albion as the Associate Director for Multicultural Affairs and First Year Experience 2003.
Ms. Denson then worked at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana from 2003-2007 as a Program Coordinator for Multicultural and Leadership Programs while pursuing a M.Ed in Higher Education, completed May 2007. Ms. Denson has extensive experience in issues around Social Justice and Diversity programs, as well as much experience in developing mentor programs which foster achievement among under-represented populations. She is co-founder of the National Identity-Based Mentoring Coalition. Ms. Denson’s passions include: Social Justice Advocacy, Mentoring, Music, and assisting students in achieving their goals.
Latrina has a 4 year old daughter (Maya Starr) and a 17 year old Shih Tzu (Jazzie). |
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Ishwanzya Rivers
Assistant Director
irivers@millikin.edu
Dr. Ishwanzya D. Rivers joined the Center for Multicultural Student Affairs as the Assistant Director of CMSA and the Long-Vanderburg Caterpillar Scholars Program in July 2011. She completed a B.A. in Psychology from Millikin University in 2001. In 2005, Dr. Rivers completed her M.Ed in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she also received her Ph.D. in 2011.
As the Assistant Director for CMSA and the LV-CAT Scholars Program, Dr. Rivers leads the Program in its commitment to the development of high academic scholarship, leadership skills, and engaged community service for LV-CAT Scholars. She also advises StartSMART, a peer-mentoring program aimed at retaining underrepresented and underserved students at Millikin University. Dr. Rivers’ research and teaching interests focus on college access, choice, recruitment, and retention for underrepresented students. Particularly, she examines the relationship between higher education, legislative policy, institutional policy, and social and economic outcomes for historically underrepresented and underserved students.
In connecting with students, Dr. Rivers encourages them to always think critically, apply their learning to real-life issues, and encouraging students to be proactive in shaping and creating their own learning experiences. |
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Pej Clark
Administrative Assistant
pclark@millikin.edu
Pej Clark has served as support staff for the Center for Multicultural Student Affairs (and its predecessors) since October 1996. She and her husband, Bill, have lived in Decatur for many years, and have raised three children, two of whom are Millikin alums.
Pej says: "I feel very fortunate to work in an office area that promotes and celebrates diversity. I enjoy helping with programs and services for students, and using my skills to keep the office running smoothly on a day to day basis. "I also have the pleasure of being around young people who are excited about achieving their goals. As I get to know each of them, they become special to me and almost like my own children. I feel joy and pride in their accomplishments and sympathy in their disappointments. I try to be supportive as they develop their own unique strengths and talents. This is why I love my job. I look forward to meeting all the new students each year, and I keep in touch with former students all over the world!" |
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