The Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) Network Team develops strategies for addressing issues of concern, as well as initiating and sustaining collaborations to support an environment of transparency and open communication.
View the Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team charge.
View the Member Profiles on this page to learn more.
In 2023, Recommended Actions to Address Staff of Color Experience (RAASCE), a subcommittee on the Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) team supported DEI 2.0 events. This included presenting a panel discussion webinar during the October DEI Summit. The webinar was titled "This is Our Story: Staff of Color Experiences at U-M." It was designed, in collaboration with ODEI and The Coalition, to share findings from a research study of the same name. The study revealed various ways in which staff of color experience pervasive white cultural norms and marginalization in the workplace.
The team is currently working with ODEI and partners to connect these research findings with existing DEI 2.0 Campus Action Items (CAIs) and to develop recommended actions to address the specific needs of staff of color.
To learn more about the ADEI team, see their 2024 project poster.
Alex Jendrusina (he/him) is a counselor with the Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO), having joined the team in 2021. Previously, Alex worked in primary care as a psychologist at the Ann Arbor VA. He received his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Alex has engaged in various DEI related efforts throughout his career. These have included chairing or participating in DEI committees, providing clinical and educational trainings, researching the association between mental health and experiences of discrimination, and supporting clients in coping with race-based stress and trauma. Alex looks forward to his first year being a part of the Voices of ADEI Team.
Amanda Louks (she/her/hers) is the Payroll Manager in the Michigan Medicine HR Department at the University of Michigan. She manages a team of 8 pay analysts and 1 trainer who support over 20,000 staff and over 300 timekeepers at U-M Health. Amanda hired into the University in Dec. 1996 as a timekeeper for the Department of Surgery, worked as a timekeeper for 3 years, moved to the central payroll team at Michigan Medicine in the HR department in a pay analyst role, then Lead Pay Analyst, Supervisor, and finally Manager of the team. She works closely with the ITS department & University Payroll Offices on system and process development and other various projects. Amanda joined the Voices of the Staff DEI team in 2017 and serviced 2 years on the team. She stayed in touch with the Voices of the Staff Program volunteering at several events, then later was invited to join the Voices Program Management Team in 2021 and to serve as the PMT liaison to the ADEI team.
April Crutcher has been at U of M for 8 years. She has been a medical biller for 20 years and her current position is Patient Financial Coordinator for the transplant department. She is a mom of 2 girls, enjoys watching movies, going to concerts, and family time. She is currently in her second year for the Voices Diversity Equity, and Inclusion team.
Chaz Vander Horst (he/him/his) is the Administrative Operations Coordinator for University Unions, and is the assistant building manager for Pierpont Commons. Chaz has only been with the University of Michigan for a year and comes to us as a first-generation college graduate from Eastern Michigan University where he received his Bachelor's degree in communication. Chaz is also an FSG Mentor for transfer students, and he is a student here as well, pursuing a Master's degree in Higher Education. Outside of work, Chaz enjoys spending time with friends/family and enjoys some hobbies such as painting, kayaking, watching crime TV, listening to music, and traveling the world.
Claudia Cameratti-Baeza (she/her) is the Assistant Director for Experiential Learning at the Center for Socially Engaged Design from the College of Engineering. She coordinates the ongoing development and revision of new and existing C-SED content, build and support educational initiatives for faculty and students, and develop and co-facilitate training and support for C-SED’s Graduate Facilitators. Claudia’s career and experience as an international educator have focused on curricular design and pedagogical consultation in diverse contexts and disciplines. Among others, leading the curricular design and coordination of experiential learning programs like The Ann Arbor Languages Partnership (A2LP), developing structures for pedagogical consultation and faculty development as Associate Director for Faculty Development at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile School of Engineering, and more recently in her role as instructional consultant leading large scale course transformation with the Foundational Course Initiative (FCI) at the UM Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT). Claudia earned her PhD in Educational Studies from UM, with a focus on teaching and teacher education and has a MS in cognitive development from Universidad Diego Portales in Santiago, Chile, and a BA in psychology from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Ellen Rambo (she/her) is a project coordinator and the Digital Accessibility Lead in Organizational Learning. Ellen works in early leadership and DEI programming with two goals in mind: meeting participants where they are on their learning journey and adopting universal design principles to give all participants equitable opportunities for success. Ellen served on the Student IDEA Board Pedagogy SubCommittee, and is currently involved in the UHR DEI 2.0 team, the UHR Technology Committee, the UHR Accessibility Standard Project, Organizational Learning DEI Committee, and the Digital Accessibility Community of Practice. Ellen has collaborated with ECRT and the ITS Accessibility Team to develop and delivery talks about digital accessibility and its positive impact to removing barriers to access, cultivating inclusion, and creating a framework for success. Ellen is currently partnering with the ITS Accessibility team and ECRT to offer Disability Awareness and Inclusion and Digital Accessibility classes through Organizational Learning beginning in the Spring of 2024.
Emily Baxter is an Assistant Managing Project Representative with the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP). She has been with ORSP for 10 years. Emily currently serves on ORSP’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and is passionate about continuing to broaden her perspective by learning from the experiences of UM’s diverse staff. Outside of work, Emily enjoys volunteering to socialize adoptable cats at her local Petco, watching scary movies, and trying to learn a little Korean through K-pop music.
Heather Alemu (she/her/hers) is a Senior Business Intelligence Analyst for the Ford School of Public Policy. She has worked at the University of Michigan for ten years. This is Heather's third year as a member of the Advancing DEI Network Team. She is passionate about creating inclusive and equitable environments within academic institutions. When not working, Heather and her husband stay busy with their young daughter. She also loves baking delicious homemade desserts for her family and friends!
Helen Garbarino is a Michigan-based graphic designer, photographer, and writer. She is currently the Communication Specialist in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Helen specializes in communications with over 9+ years in higher education. For EEB, she handles news writing, editing, graphic designer and writer of alumni newsletters (Natural Selections and ecology and evolution enewsletter), EEB website writer and manager, social media coordinator, liaison to Michigan News/media relations, special events publicity, alumni development, photography, and promotions.
Ivoree Griffin (she/her) is an Administrative Assistant responsible for managing office administrative tasks for the Michigan Engineering Zone in Detroit during the academic year and the Engineering OnRamp outreach programs in Ann Arbor during the summer. She is involved in financial management, event planning, student engagement, employee recruitment, and hiring. She is passionate about social and economic justice with a keen interest in the regulations surrounding technology and history-related education reform—ivoree balances various beauty and wellness endeavors, promoting self-esteem and confidence for individuals of all ages. Ivoree’s overall focus is to draw attention to our continuous efforts to recognize and shift the gap of underrepresented minorities on all platforms by encouraging diversity and establishing innovative ways to learn and appreciate differences within the community.
Jules XX (they/them) is an artist, designer, intersectional feminist, and higher education professional. Their academic research is grounded in Critical Race Theory and focuses on understanding systemic barriers to higher education and alternative admissions evaluative processes. As the Stamps School's recruiting and admissions manager, Jules has travels across North America and Asia identifying and solidifying partnerships with peer institutions, high schools, and community-based organizations, plans and executes events ranging in scale from 6 to over 600 participants, curates communication across many channels to our prospective students, families, and educators, and partners with faculty to engage, educate, and evaluate our prospective students.
Kelly Williams (she/her) is the Finance and Business Manager for Integrative Systems and Design (ISD) in the College of Engineering. Kelly has been with UM since 2010 in various financial roles in ITS, Audit Services and College of Engineering and has been with Voices of the Staff, Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team since 2021. Kelly graduated from Central Michigan University with an Accounting degree and is both a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor. Outside of work, Kelly spends her time teaching hot yoga and pilates at local studios as well as doing DIY home projects. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring state and national parks and supporting her stepson's baseball teams.