"Jonathan McElderry" Archive

ACPA elects McElderry as director of equity & inclusion

McElderry

Jonathan McElderry was elected, recently, as director of equity & inclusion by ACPA-College Student Educators International.  McElderry and others recently elected will be honored at a March meeting of the organization.

McElderry has served as the assistant dean of students and the executive director of the Intercultural Center since June 2016.  He also serves as an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Counseling.  Before joining Wake Forest, he served as the director of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center at the University of Missouri.

Categories: Inside WFUStaff News

Office of Diversity and Inclusion announces promotions for Ashford, McElderry

The Wake Forest Office of Diversity and Inclusion announced, recently, promotions for staff members Shannon Ashford and Jonathan McElderry.

Shannon Ashford

Ashford was promoted to associate director of diversity education.  McElderry was promoted to executive director of the Intercultural Center.

Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion José Villalba said Ashford “has provided impactful and insightful guidance, vision, and implementation of student-centered diversity education so as to make Wake a more empathetic and belonging community.”  In her new role, “Shannon will continue to engage with students and student leaders, as well as connect and collaborate with faculty and staff as they focus on elevating their inclusive practices and programming,” Villalba added.

She previously served as program manager for diversity education.

McElderry joined Wake Forest in 2016 as director of the Intercultural Center and assistant dean of students.

Jonathan McElderry

“In his time at Wake Forest, Jonathan has overseen an expansion in the programming offered by the center, as well as influencing the breadth of inclusive practices and initiatives across campus life,” said Villalba.  “He is a standout scholar-practitioner, who has authored or co-authored research articles, book chapters, and mainstream resources so as to increase access to promising student affairs practices on college campuses.”

McElderry also mentors new and prospective leaders in student affairs, in addition to serving as an affiliate faculty member in the University’s Department of Counseling.

 

Categories: Inside WFU

Thrive Dimension Champions for 2018-19 announced

The Office of Wellbeing, recently, presented its Thrive Dimension Champions Awards to faculty and staff.

Annually, the Office of Wellbeing recognizes award winners who demonstrate their commitment to individual and community wellbeing across the eight dimensions of wellbeing:  emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual.

Recipients and their dimensions for which they were recognized are the following:

Emotional: Jessica Scales, case manager, CARE Team

Environmental: Jim Coffey, director, Landscaping and Residential Services

Financial: Deborah Snyder, administrative coordinator, Teaching and Learning Collaborative

Intellectual: Adrian Greene, associate dean, Undergraduate Admissions

Occupational: Jonathan McElderry, assistant dean and director, Diversity & Inclusion

Physical: Christy Buchanan, professor of psychology

Social: Derri Stormer, major, University Police Department

Spiritual: Gail Bretan, program director for Jewish Life

Categories: Inside WFU

In Support of DACA students at Wake Forest University

The following message went out to the Wake Forest University campus community on Sept. 3: 

Dear Wake Forest Students, Faculty, and Staff,

The current political climate around the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is one of uncertainty and confusion, not only for Wake Forest students enrolled in the program, but also for their families, friends, classmates, faculty and staff. Given that climate, we cannot provide clarity about the program’s continuation or possible changes to federal policy. However, it is critically important for everyone in our campus community – and especially those worried about their safety and freedom to pursue their studies – to know that Wake Forest is here to support all our students, including those who are not U.S. citizens.

In December, President Hatch joined hundreds of other university leaders in signing a petition asking then-President-elect Trump to uphold and expand DACA. Yet, as a decision from the White House looms, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion – through our Intercultural Center, Women’s Center, and LGTBQ Center – acknowledges the anxiety and frustration associated with not knowing the impact of changes to current federal policies. Please consider our collective staff available should you need to an attentive ear or a comforting space. In addition, please remember that the University Counseling Center (117 Reynolda Hall) can provide expert and clinical confidential support, that the International Students and Scholars division (116 Reynolda) can provide up-to-date information and implications for changes to federal policies around immigration procedures and statutes, and that the Chaplain’s Office (8 Reynolda) can provide spaces that facilitate reflection and solace. Finally, consider your own personal support network of family, friends, and staff and professor allies, and how they can be affirming.

Wake Forest, like other institutions of higher education, will continue to monitor changes to DACA. We will also continue to assess progress or updates to Congressional actions, including the BRIDGE Act and the Recognizing America’s Children Act (a rewrite of the Dream Act). Ultimately, the academic and personal-social wellbeing of DACA students at Wake Forest is something we neither take lightly nor take for granted.

As President Hatch has said, we are a community that stands up for one another in the face of discrimination. We are a place committed to respecting and preserving the dignity of all people – from every nation. We are a campus that welcomes diverse people and viewpoints. Our campus is richer for our diverse population and we will continue to provide financial aid, support services, and connection to legal resources for undocumented students. You belong here and you are welcome here.

Sincerely,
José A. Villalba, Interim Chief Diversity Officer
Johnathan McElderry, Director, Intercultural Center
Angela Mazaris, Director, LGBTQ Center
Paige Meltzer, Director, The Women’s Center

Categories: Inside WFU

June 2016 comings and goings

See a list of employees joining and leaving the University in June 2016:

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