Diversity and Inclusion at Warner

The statement below was constructed with input from students, staff, and faculty through a variety of venues to include as many members of Warner’s community as possible. We view this as a living document and our work around diversity and inclusion as ongoing and dynamic. To that end, we seek to foster ongoing discussions of how we can engage in sustained, meaningful dialogue and action about issues of diversity and inclusion.

Our goals and values

The Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development is dedicated to fostering a learning community that represents and builds on the rich diversity of human experiences, backgrounds, cultures, histories, ideas, and ways of living. Consistent with our dedication to education, leadership, counseling, and human development that can transform lives and make the world more just and humane, we recruit, support and learn with and from students, staff, and faculty from the broadest spectrum of human diversity. Likewise, we seek the same through our interactions with the broader local and global community.

Warner Council for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CEDI)

Newly formed in 2020, CEDI is working closely with Dean Sarah Peyre to understand and advance equity, diversity and inclusion at the Warner School. Members include:

• Monerah Almahmoud, Student Ambassador
• Nancy Ares
• Robert Bonfiglio, Student Ambassador
• Brian Brent
• Andrea Cutt, Faculty Diversity Officer
• Theresa Danylak, Genesee Staff Council
• Eleni Duret, Student Ambassador
• Kara Finnigan
• Anika Simone Johnson, Director of Equity and Inclusion
• Mary Judge Diegert, Staff Diversity Officer
• Nahoko Kawakyu-O’Connor, Faculty Diversity Officer
• Evelyn Kirst
• Joanne Larson
• Karen Mackie
• Shaun Nelms
• Sarah Peyre
• Harriette Royer, Staff Diversity Officer
• Tyana Velazquez, Student Ambassador

Faculty Diversity Officers
Andrea Cutt, assistant professor
Nahoko Kawakyu O'Connor, assistant professor, director of program evaluation for the Center for Professional Development and Education Reform

Staff Equity Officers
Mary Judge, assistant director of the Center for Disability and Education
Harriette Royer, assistant director of career services

Director of Equity and Inclusion
Anika Simone Johnson

Warner Ombudsman
Brian Brent, Earl B. Taylor Professor

Title IX Coordinator
Mary Judge, assistant director of the Center for Disability and Education

Warner's Representative on the President's University Diversity and Equity Council
Kara Finnigan, professor

Warner's Representative on the University's Commission on Women and Gender Equity in Academia
Karen Mackie, associate professor

Warner's Representative on the Genesee Staff Council
Theresa Danylak, assistant director for communications


The University of Rochester values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation or any other status protected by law. Further, the University complies with all applicable non-discrimination laws in the administration of its policies, admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs and activities.