Staff

  • Jeffrey Coleman

    Dr. Jeffrey K. Coleman

    Deputy Chief Diversity Officer

    Jeffrey K. Coleman joined Kennesaw State University as the Deputy Chief Diversity Officer on June 1, 2020. Previously Dr. Coleman served as the inaugural director of the Multicultural Center and adjunct faculty in the departments of Sociology and African American studies at Georgia State University (GSU). Prior to GSU, Dr. Coleman was the assistant director for multicultural affairs and had oversight over the Multicultural Resource Center at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). He also managed cultural themed houses and served as the coordinator of the Promoting Respect for Inclusive Diversity in Education pre-orientation and year-long mentoring program for first-year students who were first-generation and from underrepresented backgrounds at Trinity College in Harford, Connecticut.

    Dr. Coleman has an extensive background working in multicultural affairs and student affairs managing multicultural centers; implementing minority male learning communities; creating mentoring programs for first year, first generation and minority male students; developing support services for students (particularly from traditionally under-served and underrepresented communities); providing academic and immigration-related advising and support for international students; and advising cultural affinity/identity-based student organizations. His additional experiences supporting students, faculty, and staff include developing workshops and trainings, chairing university initiatives, development of strategic plans, and managing federal and state funded grants which position him to introduce innovative ways to bridge diversity and inclusion practice alongside the curriculum.

    Dr. Coleman is a native of Bloomfield, Connecticut. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Studies and Cultural Studies from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master of Science in Counseling with a Concentration in Student Development in Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies from Trinity College (Hartford, CT).

    • Laurie Headshot

      Dr. Laurie McDowell

      Diversity Planning Analyst

      Laurie McDowell assumed the position of Diversity Planning Analyst in February of 2015. Prior to joining Kennesaw State, McDowell served in various roles in higher education in both public and private institutions. McDowell's experience includes directing a university transfer and partnership program at a community college, writing grants, conducting training, directing the administrative planning and institutional research activities at a comprehensive university, and coordinating assessment activities at a non-profit university.

      McDowell has both chaired and served as a member on various committees including a multicultural task force and a diversity committee. In addition to her experience in higher education, McDowell worked for several years in public and non-profit health and human services agencies. McDowell is proficient in quantitative and qualitative analysis using tools such as Excel, SPSS, and ATLAS.ti.

      McDowell holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Higher Education Administration from Barry University, a Masters in Health Services Administration, and a Bachelors in Political Science. McDowell enjoys seeing new places, meeting new people, and exploring new ideas and experiences.

      • Erica Headshot

        Erica Brown

        Diversity Specialist 

        Erica Brown joined the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in August 2017 as an Administrative Associate II. She assumed the position of Diversity Specialist in September 2019 having worked closely with KSU’s six Presidential Commissions and ODI’s Faculty Fellows Program. Erica has experience in diversity programming while creating healthy relationships with several internal and external constituents within the KSU community.

        Brown earned a Bachelor’s in Communications from Savannah State University in 2014 and a Master’s in Human Resources from Central Michigan University in 2017. Erica has a passion for bringing together individuals to create supportive environments that is inclusive of all backgrounds.

        • Natasha Robertson

          Natasha Robertson

          Executive Administrative Assistant

          Natasha Robertson assumed the position of Executive Administrative Assistant in September of 2019. Prior to joining Kennesaw State, Robertson served as Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer at Morehouse School of Medicine. Robertson has an extensive background providing high-level administrative support to executives in higher education and non-profit organizations.

          Robertson has served as a member on the admissions selection committee. Robertson also coordinated the shared services and renovation task force projects. Robertson is very tech savvy with expert skills and experience operating office equipment and navigating computer software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Visio, Concur, SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.

          Robertson holds a bachelor in Psychology from Daemen College. Robertson enjoys writing poetry, photography, and financial management.

           

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