KEYSER, W.Va., APRIL 9, 2018 – West Virginia University Potomac State College recently celebrated the second successful year of its student initiative, Diversity Ambassadors. This program invites 24 student volunteers from different ethnic, racial or regional backgrounds to be matched up with one another to spend time getting to know one another by eating, studying or hanging out together over a five-week period.
The goals of the initiative are to alleviate any fears, challenge stereotypes and erode divisions between groups through positive engagement and interaction. Additionally, participants set the example to serve as role-model “ambassadors” for the rest of the student population.
This initiative was the brainchild of Ed Brown, D.M.A., who serves as the College’s activities program manager, adviser to the Student Government Association and chief adviser to 25 other student clubs. He wrote and submitted a grant proposal that was accepted and funded by the Higher Education Policy Commission in August 2017.
“I’m passionate about spreading the spirit of diversity around the Potomac State campus and it’s my sincere hope that this experience will have a life-long impact on the students who participated in this initiative,” said Dr. Brown.
Addressing the students, their families and guests at the awards dinner in addition to Dr. Brown, were Campus President Jennifer Orlikoff, Ph.D. and special guest, The Honorable Meshea Poore, Esq., recently named WVU vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Diversity Ambassadors were recently recognized during an awards dinner on the West Virginia University Potomac State College campus in Keyser, W.Va. The premise of this endeavor is to foster interaction, understanding and acceptance between minority student groups and larger student populations on the College campus.
Participants included seated on floor from left: Joseph Jones, (Baltimore, Md.); Canyon Hunt, (Silver Spring Md.); Lamar Smith, (Washington, DC); James Beall (Pittsburgh, Pa). Seated in chairs from left: Heather Park, (Martinsburg, W.Va.); Shelbi Workman, (Branchland, W.Va.); Serena Redman, (Moorefield, W.Va.); Lea Baker, (Augusta, W.Va.); Vanessa Kori, (Tokyo, Japan); Morgan Day, (Fort Ashby, W.Va.). Standing back row from left: Ed Brown, PSC activities and program manager; Kylisha Pankey (Oak Hill, W.Va.); Meshea Poore, WVU vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Joshua Myers, (Romney, W.Va.); Katrina Roxas, (Bulacan, Philippines); Jonathan Gill, (Morgantown, W.Va.); Lexus Wentz, (Charleston, W.Va.); Cassidy Harper, (Springfield, Va.); Savanah Sampson, (Shinnston, W.Va.); Cassandra Chapman, (Shenandoah Junction, W.Va.); Deasah Lee, (Morgantown, W.Va.); Jennifer Orlikoff, PSC president.