The BEDI Advisory Council comprises volunteers from every administrative unit at NSU, ensuring that all university staff sectors are represented. The Council expands upon the foundation and hard work of many dedicated faculty and staff who have successfully integrated DEI principles into the NSU curriculum, experiential learning, and workplace practices in various colleges and units.
The Executive Committee is comprised of the BEDI Council Leadership and co-leads of each working committee.
Name | Unit |
Robert Pietrykowski, BEDI Co-Chair | Office of Human Resources |
Jessica Valenzuela, BEDI Co-Chair | College of Psychology |
Arnetta Pierce, BEDI Coordinator | Office of Human Resources |
Eileen Petzold-Bradley, BEDI Editor | Division of Public Relations, Marketing, and Creative Services |
Aryia Amini | College of Dental Medicine |
Ramina Benjamin | Office of the Provost/Academic Affairs |
Gilbert Chrispin | Office of Human Resources |
Sonia Davidson | Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice |
Yashiva Edwards | NSU Athletics |
Kyle Fisher** | Division of Public Relations, Marketing, and Creative Services |
Jonathan Harrison** | Office of Human Resources |
Brandon Hensler** | Division of Public Relations, Marketing, and Creative Services |
Arkene Levy | Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine |
Laura Ramirez | Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center |
Donald Rudawsky | Office of Institutional Effectiveness |
Elizabeth Swann | Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences |
Sherrica Taylor | Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine |
**ex-officio member
The Communications Committee is responsible for developing, updating, and monitoring BEDI’s communications policies and social networking and also recommending new ways for BEDI to communicate with its members and the larger NSU community. All communications from BEDI will be channeled through this committee.
Name | Unit |
Arkene Levy* | Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine |
Alejandro Hernandez Padilla | Business Services/Printing and Publications |
Jane Cross | Shepard Broad College of Law |
Brandon Hensler** | Division of Public Relations, Marketing, and Creative Services, Ex Officio Member |
Eileen Petzold-Bradley* | Division of Public Relations, Marketing, and Creative Services |
Raquel Rincon | Division of Clinical Operations |
Linda Rouse | College of Optometry |
*subcommittee co-leads
**ex-officio member
The Data Committee analyzes data to identify areas where it can support BEDI initiatives and overarching goals. The Data Subcommittee will work to support the data and analysis needs of the other BEDI subcommittees.
Name | Unit |
Laura Ramirez* | Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center |
Donald Rudawsky* | Office of Institutional Effectiveness |
Aldett Francis | Regional Campuses |
Silvia Rabionet | Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy |
Shannel Zambrana | Office of Human Resources |
Renee Venezia** | Office of Human Resources |
*subcommittee co-leads
**ex-officio member
The Inventory and Practices Committee collects, categorizes, and curates current diversity programs, practices, and initiatives from NSU’s colleges and administrative units. It also identifies diversity best practices from educational, healthcare, non-profit, and for-profit institutions.
Name | Unit |
Jonathan Harrison*,** | Office of Human Resources |
Rodrigue Colas | Robert S. Lafferty Sr. Central Energy Plant (Physical Plant) |
Sarena Hicks | Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center |
Tracey Jackson | Financial Operations |
Catarina Suplicy Goes | Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation |
Gabriela Mendez | Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice |
Lisa Quinn | NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale |
Crystal Victor | College of Optometry |
*subcommittee co-leads
**ex-officio member
The Learning and Development Committee enhances the NSU community with resources and programs while cultivating a culture of continuous learning and dialogue that promotes a sense of collective belonging within an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community.
Name | Unit |
Elizabeth Swann* | Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences |
Sherrica Taylor* | Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine |
Yashiva Edwards | NSU Athletics |
Robyn Kaiyal | NSU University School |
Jennifer Vigille | NSU University School |
Terry Morrow Nelson | Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences |
Kim White | Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing |
*subcommittee co-leads
The University Culture and Climate Committee embraces NSU’s Core Value of Diversity by helping to create and sustain an NSU community-wide culture that understands, respects, and celebrates the fact that belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to the university’s vision and continued excellence. Through strategic initiatives, internal and external stakeholder partnerships, policy development, stewardship, innovation, education, and complaint resolution, the University Culture and Climate Subcommittee will help support and champion an environment where former, current, and future NSU community members can fully realize their potential, acknowledge their differences, and support each other on their respective journeys.
Name | Unit |
Gilbert Chrispin* | Office of Human Resources |
Sonia Davidson* | Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice |
Maria Ballester | Halmos College of Arts and Sciences |
Laura Bennett** | Office of Human Resources |
Sarah de Flesco | Legal Affairs |
Valerie Grapshi | Office of the President/Health Care Compliance |
Tramaine Martin | H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship |
Gerard Wheeler | Student Affairs and College of Undergraduate Studies |
Courtlyn Heard | Enrollment Management and Student Affairs |
*subcommittee co-leads
**ex-officio member
The Website and Technology Committee represents, supports, and promotes the BEDI Advisory Council’s mission through the use of technology and website design, enabling information sharing and being a catalyst in promoting greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging throughout all aspects of the university and community at large.
Name | Unit |
Aryia Amini* | College of Dental Medicine |
Ramina Benjamin* | Office of the Provost/Academic Affairs |
Melody Dunbar | Office of Innovation and Information Technology |
Elizabeth Rai | Farquhar Honors College |
Vernol Robinson | Enrollment and Student Services |
*subcommittee co-leads