UC engineering hires new staff to equity and inclusion team
Two new members bring expertise in student success and social justice
Krizia Cabrera-Toro
The Office of Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement for the College of Engineering and Applied Science at University of Cincinnati (UC) recently welcomed two new staff members, Krizia Cabrera-Toro and Danielle Williams.
Cabrera-Toro joined the office as the Women in Engineering program coordinator. Krizia is responsible for programs that assist with the recruitment, support and retention of female engineering students, faculty and staff.
"I am excited to have the opportunity to work alongside strong female faculty, staff and students to increase representation including underrepresented minorities,” said Cabrera-Toro.
She most recently worked as the multicultural recruitment coordinator at Northern Kentucky University, where she developed programming and relationships with the university community to foster a more diverse and equitable campus environment.
For her, the role is an opportunity to combine the skills from her STEM background with her extensive experience in creating and coordinating initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
Cabrera-Toro has a Bachelor of Science in Cell/Cellular Biology from Ana G. Mendez University System, a Post-Baccalaureate in Molecular Genetics from Baylor College of Medicine, a Master of Arts in Integrative Studies/Multicultural Education and Leadership in Higher Education, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in STEM Education from Purdue University.
She has a passion for helping students succeed and looks forward to using her experience with retention, student success, social justice to create more opportunities for those who have a desire to better themselves.
Cabrera-Toro, who is bilingual in Spanish and English, hopes to obtain a PhD and teach at a university in the future.
Danielle Williams
Danielle Williams will support the office in its mission to support students on their journey to success as the executive assistant for Assistant Dean Whitney Gaskins.
About three years ago, Williams relocated to Cincinnati from Madison, Wisconsin, where she had worked for five years at Madison Area Technical College.
She was attracted to the position at UC because she felt that helping others achieve their dreams and true potential would be a profound way to make a difference every day.
Williams is passionate about justice, excellence, and equity and she is currently enrolled in a Criminal Justice program at Southern New Hampshire University with a focus on Criminology.
“As a current college student, I know that some days don't exactly go the way I plan,” Williams said. “If I can uplift someone on their journey or nudge them forward when they are having ‘one of those days,’ then I am making a difference.”
Williams is inspired by an Ayn Rand quote: “The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.”
“I use this quote to keep pushing forward in grace, to strive towards greatness, to achieve excellence, and to be the best version of me that I can be daily," Williams said.
The Office of Inclusive Excellence & Community Engagement strives to empower individuals to transform their lives and achieve their highest potential by offering programs, services and scholarships that will enhance learning and lead to their success.
Featured image at top: The Engineering Research Center at UC. Photo/Corrie Mayer, CEAS Marketing
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