Hosted by Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services and CoachLink coach, and Micah Shristi, director of international student services, the ceremony featured a musical drum performance led by Makinto and his son, Joël Friebe-Makinto.

Since 2016, the ceremony has celebrated graduates who honor their African and international roots. Each receives a handwoven stole of kente cloth, a symbol of prestige in many African societies, or a satin sash featuring the flags of countries they feel connected to.

Sashes at Saturday’s ceremony bore the flags of Albania, Argentina, Barbados, Burkina Faso, the Cherokee Nation, China, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Honduras, Iceland, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Oromia, Palestine, Peru, Puerto Rico, Senegal, South Sudan, and Uruguay.

Class of 2026 graduates take part in Saturday’s Donning of the Kente Ceremony in 91����Ƶ’s MainStage Theater.

Joël Friebe-Makinto (left) honors his father, Makinto. Celeste Thomas (right) welcomes attendees to the ceremony.

The ceremony celebrates achievement, encourages recipients to continue striving for excellence, and provides an intimate end-of-year experience. Each recipient selected a family member, friend, mentor, administrator, or faculty or staff member to place the stole or sash around their neck and offer remarks, sharing joyful and heartfelt stories and words of praise about each graduate.

Graduates wore the stoles and sashes at Commencement to honor their collective heritage and reflect on shared struggles and successes.

“Our hope is that they feel the support of their village,” Thomas said. “Additionally, we hope the ceremony signals the college’s desire to meet the needs of all its students.”

Micah Shristi honors a graduate during the ceremony.

Since 2016, the ceremony has celebrated graduates who honor their African and international roots.

Participants

The following graduates were recognized:

Makinto, a general theological certificate major from Harrisonburg, was donned by Mukarabe Makinto Inandava and Joël Friebe-Makinto.��

“You’re a clear example of how, no matter your age or where you are in life, you can accomplish anything,” Friebe-Makinto told his father. “You are a continuous inspiration for me and someone I can always look to for guidance.”

Esdras Burgos, accounting and business administration major from Charlottesville, Virginia, was donned by M. Esther Showalter.

Arelys Martinez Fabian, a Spanish language & Hispanic studies and education (PreK–12) licensure from Winchester, Virginia, was donned by M. Esther Showalter.

Zazkia De la Vega, a marketing and business administration major from Cusco, Peru, was donned by M. Esther Showalter. 

Ankita Adhikari, a computer science major from Pokhara, Nepal, was donned by Micah Shristi.

Donovan Arnason, a digital media, photography, and design major from Stafford, Virginia, was donned by Phyllis Braxton Arnason.

Elili Asefa, a nursing major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was donned by Baati Ayana.

Irais Barrera Pinzon, a political science, Spanish language and Hispanic studies major from Richmond, Virginia, was donned by Wendell Shank.

Mimi Bayongwa, a social work major from Riverdale, Maryland, was donned by Dia Mekonnen and Perpetue Kaimba. 

Lemi Amanuel Bekele, a biochemistry major from Kansas City, Missouri, was donned by Micah Shristi.

Shristi recalled receiving an email from Bekele, who was waiting for his admissions decision in 2019. “He sent me the following email, and I quote: ‘Please answer me. To wait for your answer I am in the forest in a tree to get data and it’s too dark and cold,’” Shristi read aloud. “That same determination carried Lemi through his years at 91����Ƶ.”

Jean Betancourt, a business administration major from Meridian, Mississippi, was donned by Angel Betancourt.

Nia Boyd, an art and writing studies major from Richmond, Virginia, was donned by Lenice Sudds.

Kylik Daquan Bradshaw, a liberal arts major from Crewe, Virginia, was donned by De’Andra Oliver, Te’Ahra Oliver, Theron Oliver, and Kayanna Bradshaw.

“Through every season, you have shown resilience, courage, and determination beyond your years,” Bradshaw’s mother said. “But your greatest gift has always been your heart, your love, your loyalty, and your strength. Even when you were challenged with difficulties, you never let it break you.”

Chase Comer, a political science and history major from Timberville, Virginia, was donned by Amy Miller.

Ruach Dhieu Ruach Deng, a computer science major from Bor, South Sudan, was donned by Micah Shristi.

Odesa Elezi, a nursing major from Harrisonburg, was donned by Luis Elezi.

Jasmin Escamilla Ruiz, a digital media, photography, and design major from Bluemont, Virginia, was donned by Irma Ruiz Ramirez. 

LaToya Fernandez, an MA in restorative justice major from West Hartford, Connecticut, was donned by Lyric Bryant.

Genesis Figueroa, a political science, Spanish language and Hispanic studies major from Millersburg, Ohio, was donned by Mia Figueroa.

Leah Frankenfield, a psychology major from Moraga, California, was donned by Rachel Tusing.

Sofia Garcia Pini, an MA in restorative justice major from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was donned by Joe Cole.

Jamila Gaskins, an MA in conflict transformation major from Los Angeles, was donned by David Evans.

Emily Guin, a nursing major from Lovettsville, Virginia, was donned by Juan Guin.

Jacqueline Jackson, a nursing major from Staunton, Virginia, was donned by Jacqueline Badger-Jackson.

Jayda Lenae Jones, a social work major from Goodview, Virginia, was donned by Kim Jones.

Yohanna Kebede, a computer science major from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was donned by Haweni Tolosa.

Emae Klompenhouwer, a social work major from Newport News, Virginia, was donned by Remco Klompenhouwer.

Ramata Lam, a biomedicine major from Baltimore, was donned by Kaitlyn Upshaw.

Mallery Salemah McShine, an MA in restorative justice major from Fredericksburg, Virginia, was donned by LaToya Fernandez.

Dia Mekonnen, a social work and political science major from Silver Spring, Maryland, was donned by Deanna Reed.

Abraham Mekonnen, a computer science major from Harrisonburg, was donned by Noel Abeje. 

Last summer, Mekonnen interned at Morgan Stanley in New York City. This summer, he is headed to Northern California, where he will work for Palo Alto Networks. “How many people can say they’re hopping from Wall Street to Silicon Valley at 23 years old?” his close friend Abeje said. “Here’s the thing about Abraham: when the rest of us go to a mall, we typically just shop. Abraham asks the storekeepers how much they made that week and whether they’d recommend entering the industry. He’s constantly studying the world, ambitious, resilient, and relentlessly curious.”

Fadi William Michael, a marketing major from Bethlehem, State of Palestine, was donned by Jim Leaman.

Diego Morales Torres, a computer science major from Ponce, Puerto Rico, was donned by Team Oosthuizen.

Zipola Nayituriki, a social work major from Harrisonburg, was donned by Mary Ann Zehr.

Tasia Ocaranza, an MA in education major from Staunton, Virginia, was donned by Kathy Evans.

Taylor Helenna Parker, a digital media, photography, and design major from Charlottesville, Virginia, was donned by Mikaela Brooks Fauver.

Royale M. Parker, a business administration and psychology major from San Bernardino County, California, was donned by Ruby Parker and Roy Parker.

Jennifer Perera, an MS in biomedicine major from Miami, was donned by Jose Perera.

Robyn Chardaé Pratt, an MA in education major from Newport News, Virginia, was donned by Sandra Pratt.

Sarah Prroj, a business administration major from Shkoder, Albania, was donned by Micah Shristi.

Sharon Salinas Morales, a restorative justice in education major from Harrisonburg, was donned by Andrew Claassen.

Jacob Sankara, an MA in conflict transformation major from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, was donned by Gloria Rhodes.

Roumany Sefin, a business administration and medical lab science major from Port Said, Egypt, was donned by Jim Leaman.

Zoe Seifu, a nursing major from Harrisonburg, was donned by Nati Seifu.

Anisa Yousef Sharhabeel, a business administration major from Rockingham, Virginia, was donned by Rita Tutu.

Shayleigh Michelle Sims, a biology and secondary education (6-12) licensure major from Palmyra, Virginia, was donned by Kathy Evans.

Emily Suarez Nunez, a nursing major from McGaheysville, Virginia, was donned by Silvana Nunez.

Guadalupe Tenorio Ramirez, an accounting and business administration major from Hopewell, Virginia, was donned by Lindy Backues.

Cheylan Ury, a psychology major from Staunton, Virginia, was donned by Shaion Ury.

Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus poses with Class of 2026 graduate Emily Suarez Nunez following the ceremony (left). Alumni returned to campus on Saturday to honor friends at the ceremony (right).

“We’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together,” Shristi said in his closing remarks. “What a beautiful space.”

The Donning of the Kente Ceremony is sponsored by Multicultural Student Services, International Student Services, and the Black Student Alliance.

Watch a video recording of the ceremony below!

“These people are my friends and they’re my colleagues and they’re my inspiration,” Flowe told a roomful of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Harrisonburg residents during a dedication ceremony of the mural on March 27. “I may not know them on a personal level, but every time I see them on the wall of this building, I know that people recognize the work they’ve done.”

That feeling extends beyond just the students at 91����Ƶ. Dr. Tara Kishbaugh, dean of faculty and student success, said that seeing the mural fills her with joy. “Every time I see it, it makes me happy,” she told the crowd gathered for the ceremony at Suter Science Center 106.

The Inclusivity in Science Mural, completed in summer 2022, celebrates the scholarship and contributions of seven scientists whose identities as women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), and/or queer individuals have historically been underrepresented in scientific spaces. The mural’s stylized portraits depict chemist Asima Chatterjee, mathematician Gladys West, mathematician Katherine Johnson, arachnologist Lauren Esposito, astrophysicist Nergis Mavalvala, eco-philosopher Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd, and ADM (ret.) Rachel Levine.

“[The mural] names the contributions that have too often gone unrecognized,” said Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus in her remarks at the dedication ceremony. “And perhaps most importantly, it offers reflection and invitation to those who walk these halls every day, especially to students who may be asking quietly or aloud, ‘Is there a place for me in this field?’” 

“Together, these figures and all of those represented remind us that excellence in science has never been limited to a single identity, even if recognition has been,” Dycus added. “And we’re affirming something today about 91����Ƶ itself: that we are a place that’s willing to name gaps and then do the work to address them, and that we believe representation is not symbolic alone—it is formative.”

Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus presents her remarks at a dedication ceremony for the Inclusivity in Science Mural.

Dr. Rachel Levine (left) and Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd (right) pose next to their portraits on the mural.

Work on the mural began in spring 2022 and was funded by an Inclusive Excellence Grant made possible by the generous support of Jose Koshy ’76 and Jean Koshy-Hertzler ’79. Learn more about the process behind the project in our article from last month. Veronica Horst ’23, Asha Landes Beck ’22, Grace Harder ’23, Molly Piwonka ’23, Afton Rhodes-Lehman ’24, and Jake Myers ’22 are listed as co-leaders for various stages of the project

A dedication ceremony on March 27 honored the scientists represented on the mural, the artists who brought it to life, and “every person in the arts and sciences who has had to push a little harder against systems that were not built with them in mind,” said event organizer Dawn Neil, coordinator for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  

“This mural is both a celebration and a call to continue the work of building a truly inclusive community,” she said. “When more people belong in science, science belongs to all of us.”

The ceremony included appearances by two special guests whose portraits are on the mural. Sinopoulos-Lloyd, who participated earlier that day in the second annual Mornings with the Mayor Convocation, gave a talk and contributed to a panel conversation. Levine, the former U.S. assistant secretary for health, chatted with 91����Ƶ News and also attended the event. Both Sinopoulos-Lloyd and Levine signed their names on their portraits as part of the dedication.

Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd gives a talk during the mural dedication ceremony at the Suter Science Center on March 27.

Dr. Rachel Levine (left) and Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd (right) sign their portraits on the mural.

Sinopoulos-Lloyd is an Indigiqueer wildlife tracker, writer, and guide whose work bridges Indigenous ecological knowledge, field-based science, multispecies studies, and poetic inquiry. 

In their talk, they recited poetry, shared photos of wildlife tracks—including a rattlesnake, puma, and toad—recounted their experiences following an elk herd, and discussed how their work connects science, art, and sustainability. They also spoke about the importance of representation. 

“This mural we’re honoring today is not just artwork,” Sinopoulos-Lloyd said. “It’s also a constellation. It represents scientists whose work has expanded what is possible, not only through curiosity, but through devotion, imagination, and care.”

Third-year biochemistry major Dante Flowe shares their connection to the mural during the dedication ceremony at Suter Science Center 106 on March 27.

Afton Rhodes-Lehman ’24, who helped design and paint the mural, speaks during a panel conversation (left). Veronica Horst ’23 reflects on the mural (right) while Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd looks on.

A panel conversation following the talk included several alumni who helped bring the mural from concept to creation. Landes Beck, Horst, Piwonka, and Rhodes-Lehman spoke about their roles in the project, the intertwined relationship of art and science, the importance of representation, and their reflections on what the mural means to them. Kishbaugh and Sinopoulos-Lloyd also joined the panel, along with Flowe, who served as a voice for current students. Senior Madelynn Hamm moderated the discussion.

Horst said they hope the mural continues to honor those who haven’t been recognized for their contributions. “One of the names on the mural that people are probably most familiar with is Katherine Johnson’s, because of her story being told through the book and film Hidden Figures,” Horst said. “I think that made us realize how much we don’t know about how women of color and people from minority identities were involved in a lot of influential work. We don’t get to hear about it because it was overshadowed.”

The program included a message from Jenny Burden, executive director of the Arts Council of the Valley, on the role that public art plays in shaping a healthy, thriving, and inclusive community. It also included remarks from Mavalvala, who is depicted on the mural but was unable to attend the ceremony. 

“I am honored to be included with so many wonderful luminaries,” Neil said, reading a statement from the astrophysicist. “Inclusivity in the sciences is critical, and I’m proud that 91����Ƶ continues to strive toward this goal. Ensuring that people feel a sense of belonging strengthens our educational communities and strengthens science itself.”

Watch a video recording of the ceremony below!

ADM (ret.) Rachel Levine, a pediatrician who served as the U.S. assistant secretary for health from 2021-25, visited campus for a dedication ceremony of the Inclusivity in Science Mural at 91����Ƶ’s Suter Science Center on Friday, March 27.

The mural, completed in summer 2022, features seven professionals in STEM-related fields whose identities as women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ individuals have historically been underrepresented in the sciences. 

Dr. Levine, whose career as a pediatrician spans more than 40 years and whose portrait graces the mural, became the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2021. As part of her position, she served as a four-star admiral leading the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She was the first openly transgender four-star officer and the first woman to serve as a four-star admiral in the Commissioned Corps. She was named one of USA Today’s Women of the Year in 2022.

“The job was as interesting, challenging, busy, and rewarding as you might expect,” Dr. Levine said in a conversation before the dedication ceremony. “It was an amazing experience, very difficult and challenging, but worth it.”

The public health expert sat down with 91����Ƶ News to talk about the mural, DEI, and the importance of vaccines.

It’s an honor to have you here with us. How did you hear about this event?

[Adrian Shanker, former deputy assistant secretary for health policy and now a consultant] came across the news story about Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd coming here, which mentioned that the mural featured my portrait. I thought that was great and asked Adrian to reach out, and then I was invited to today’s event to meet everyone, meet the artists, meet Pınar, and say hello. I live near Hershey, Pennsylvania, so it’s not that far, and I thought I’d just jump in the car and come.

Have you had a chance to look at the mural?

I just saw it. It’s remarkable. The artists did an absolutely fantastic job.

How do you feel about the mission of the mural?

The terms diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t accepted terms now. They’re even somewhat radioactive. But I still believe in that mission. I’ve had many experiences in hospitals, government, and other organizations, and I believe that diversity improves any organization, whether it’s a school, the government, a hospital or medical center, or a business. I truly believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We can call them by different names, but I think they’re critically important. I thought it was wonderful that they were able to emphasize that here at the science center and in STEM fields from various perspectives. Being included in that was a real honor.

Anything else you would like to share?

As a pediatrician, I know from more than 40 years of clinical experience that vaccinations are one of the great victories of public health in the 20th and 21st centuries. I can’t tell you how many children and teenagers, who are now adults, have had their lives saved and prevented from illnesses because of immunizations that I administered or ordered. The questioning about the effectiveness and safety of vaccines is harming our nation and our children. We are now seeing vaccine-preventable illnesses, such as measles and others, that could have been prevented. In 2000, there were no cases of measles in the United States. Now look at what we’re seeing, because of the misinformation and overt disinformation about vaccines.

Dr. Rachel Levine introduces herself at Friday’s mural dedication ceremony in Suter Science Center 106. Seated to her right are 91����Ƶ Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus and artist and scientist Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd.

Dr. Rachel Levine signs her portrait (left) on the Inclusivity in Science Mural. The pediatrician and public health expert talks with 91����Ƶ News (right) before the ceremony.

Nearly four years after its final brushstroke was applied, the Inclusivity in Science Mural inside the Suter Science Center will get its long-awaited dedication ceremony on Friday, March 27.

The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. in SSC 106 with a 30-minute talk led by Pinar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd, one of the seven people featured on the mural. Sinopoulos-Lloyd (they/them) is an Indigenous eco-philosopher, artist, and wildlife tracker, and will speak about the way their work connects science and art with sustainability.

Following the talk, Nicole Litwiller ’19, MACT ’20 will host a panel conversation with Sinopoulos-Lloyd, mural artist and alumna Veronica Horst ’23, a current 91����Ƶ science student, and Tara Kishbaugh, dean of faculty and student success. The program will also include reflections from Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus and Jenny Burden, executive director of the Arts Council of the Valley.

A formal dedication of the mural will proceed shortly after 5 p.m., with Sinopoulos-Lloyd signing their portrait. The event is open to the public and will include light refreshments.

91����Ƶ the mural

During the spring of 2022, students involved in 91����Ƶ’s Art Club and the Earthkeepers group wanted to make the Suter Science Center more welcoming and reflective of who contributes to the sciences, said Dawn Neil, coordinator for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

“They noticed two things: the space felt visually sterile, and the sciences have historically centered white male voices while overlooking women, scientists of color, and queer scientists,” she said. “They wanted to highlight those hidden figures.”

Work on the mural, funded by an Inclusive Excellence Grant made possible by the generous support of Jose Koshy ’76 and Jean Koshy-Hertzler ’79, began that semester. 91����Ƶ students Veronica Horst ’23, Asha Beck ’22, Grace Harder ’23, Molly Piwonka ’23, Afton Rhodes-Lehman ’24, and Jake Myers ’22 served as co-leaders at various stages of the project.

“STEM is a field in which, historically, gaining recognition and representation has been challenging for non-white, non-male, and non-heteronormative cisgender individuals,” reads an artist statement for the project. “This mural is intended to be a joyful statement of representation, emphasizing that we have, are, and will continue to make a significant impact on the world.”

“We want to recognize and celebrate these individuals and their contributions to the academic world,” the statement continues. “Our hope is that women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), and LGBTQIA+ individuals at 91����Ƶ will experience a positive impact through increased awareness of successful individuals like themselves in STEM.”

The project leaders distributed a campus-wide survey to students, faculty, and staff asking whom they would like to see depicted on the mural and then took a vote to determine who those seven figures would be.

The mural features seven professionals who have made and/or are making an impact in STEM-related fields and are queer and/or BIPOC women. In addition to Sinopoulos-Lloyd, the portraits depict chemist Asima Chatterjee, mathematician Gladys West, mathematician Katherine Johnson, arachnologist Lauren Esposito, astrophysicist Nergis Mavalvala, and admiral Rachel Levine.

For bios of each of these professionals, scroll to the bottom of this article.

Students from the Visual and Communication Arts (VACA) department designed and painted the mural. Although the project was completed during the summer of 2022, this is the first time it’s officially been dedicated, said Neil.

With sustainability serving as the university theme for the 2025-26 academic year, it seemed like the perfect time and Sinopoulos-Lloyd the ideal guest to help make it happen.

“Their work challenges the idea of what science is,” said Neil. “They’re exploring how the environment connects with things visually, artistically, and also scientifically. It’s a different side of science, one rooted in global and community contexts rather than a strictly data-driven one.”

“They would fit in perfectly as a student here,” she added. “What’s exciting is that their values really align with ours.”

91����Ƶ the speaker

Sinopoulos-Lloyd is an artist and scientist known for their powerful work at the intersection of sustainability, science, and art. They are the co-founder of Queer Nature, an interdisciplinary project focused on ecology, identity, and decolonization. Their work has been featured in The Guardian and The New York Times and archived by the Library of Congress. They lecture nationally at institutions including Stanford University, Colorado College, and the Guggenheim Museum.

In 2020, they were honored with the Audubon National Society’s National Environmental Champion award, as well as the R.I.S.E. Indigenous 2020 Art & Poetry Fellowship.

For more information, visit their website at . 

Sinopoulos-Lloyd will participate in several events throughout the day on Friday, March 27. In addition to the mural dedication, they will serve as a panelist at the second annual Mornings with the Mayor, a special edition of Convocation hosted by Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, director of alumni engagement and community connections, at 10:15 a.m. in the University Commons Student Union. 

They will also meet with students, faculty, and staff for a lunchtime discussion in the West Dining Room of Northlawn Dining Hall at noon.

Sinopoulos-Lloyd is one of seven people featured on the Inclusivity in Science Mural, located on the second floor of the Suter Science Center south of SSC 106 (Swartzendruber Hall). Biographies of each of the people featured on the mural are included below.

When the Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus took the reins as 91����Ƶ’s interim president last July, she worried that she would lose the authentic relationships she developed with students over the years as the former head of student affairs. While it’s true there’s now a greater distance, both figuratively and literally, between Dycus on the third floor of Campus Center and the hundreds of 91����Ƶ students who cross the Front Lawn below her, it hasn’t been as far as she feared.

Over the past several months, Dycus said, she’s found ways to engage with students and show up for them. And so when a pair of student clubs asked her last month to participate as a panelist in a Valentine’s Day-related “How to Flirt” session, it was another reminder her approach was working.

“My initial reaction was, ‘Is this something a president should do?’ And then I realized that they wanted someone who could speak honestly and authentically, so it was actually an honor they included me,” said Dycus. “It was a wonderful opportunity for me to be with students again and to talk about things that matter a lot to them.”

Dycus isn’t the typical university president. The first Black woman to lead 91����Ƶ in the role, even in an interim capacity, she’s brought courage and boldness to the presidential suite. That confidence comes from a deep devotion for the university and its mission, shaped by years of serving its students. She said she’s learned to love engaging with donors and stakeholders, sharing stories of the school’s successes and expressing what excites her, well beyond the corners of campus.

“I’ve actually found that to be one of the things I enjoy most about this role,” she said. “My passion for 91����Ƶ gets concentrated in conversations I get to have.”

As the calendar flips from Black History Month to Women’s History Month and she approaches the ninth month of her two-year appointment, the ordained minister and educator reflected on her leadership, the mentors who have molded her, and her goals moving forward.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus leads a line dance at the Turner Pavilion in Downtown Harrisonburg during the fourth annual Royals Go Downtown in September 2025. | She greets students outside 91����Ƶ alumna-owned Magpie Diner at the start of the cross-town culinary crawl. | Dycus chats with Jonathan Swartz, dean of students, at the Harrisonburg Holiday Parade in December 2025.

From conversations with faculty, staff, and students at a series of listening sessions held by the marketing and communications team in mid-February, it’s clear that people on campus feel a spirit of change in the air. A renewed energy courses through the veins of the university, and much of it stems from the new face in the president’s office. Dycus, ever the humble servant leader, brushes off the credit and heaps it on the leaders around her.

“Our Executive Leadership Team (ELT) is an adaptive and cohesive team,” said Dycus. “We identified our gaps in areas like branding or fiscal data and have launched shared responses, which is critical. Our team of four deans, with unique portfolios for teaching and learning, is also incredible. It’s a collaborative effort focused on what’s truly a priority for us as an institution.”

That priority has been righting the ship through the headwinds and choppy waters of higher education. Dycus and the leadership team have worked to stabilize the university and guide it toward long-term sustainability, ensuring it can thrive for generations to come.

“One of my goals this year, and as we keep moving forward, is to truly empower faculty and staff on campus to lead within the scope of their work and feel energized and excited about 91����Ƶ’s identity and progress,” she said. “I want them to know they have permission to advocate, both on campus and beyond, for the good things they see.”

Lately, there’s been plenty of positive news to go around. The momentum from last year has carried into this one, said Braydon Hoover ’11, MAOL ’21, vice president of enrollment and marketing. Undergraduate applications have jumped 92% compared to last year, and offers of admission have risen 126%.

When Dycus looks back at the many mentors in her life, she can’t overlook her roots in the traditional Black church where she was raised. The granddaughter of a pastor in the Disciples of Christ denomination, she recalled the many Black women in her congregation who offered wisdom, corrected her, and challenged her in ways that were important for her formation.

“I felt loved and cared for by each of them,” she said. “They invested in me and poured into me, with their wisdom, time, and energy, in ways I still feel grateful for. How do I continue that investment with the next generation of young people? There’s a real responsibility and commitment in what they gave me.”

One of the people who impacted her most was her high school guidance counselor. As a sophomore starting at her third high school, Dycus struggled to make new friends and figure out her identity. Her counselor, Marilyn Corbitt, was pivotal in helping her find a place where she belonged and in affirming the gifts she saw in herself.

“I left high school and started college hoping I could be a Marilyn Corbitt for someone else,” said Dycus. She earned a degree in education and planned to become a guidance counselor herself.

Corbitt died in September 2019 at age 80. She was one of the only Black counselors at Dycus’ high school of more than 3,000 students and served as advisor to its Black Student Association.

“She did a wonderful job of teaching us many of the things we weren’t learning in the classroom and challenging us to live them out in real ways, from leading service projects in the community to expressing culture in ways that brought joy,” Dycus said. “She encouraged us to use our voices, even when it was uncomfortable.”

“I still carry her spirit and the impact she had on me,” she continued. “I didn’t get a chance to go back and tell her ‘thank you,’ but I carry the hope that I can be Marilyn for whichever young version of Shannon needs it.”

Students at 91����Ƶ say Dycus has supported them and helped them grow through her mentorship.

“She always chats and checks up on me and emphasizes my mental health,” said senior Nia Boyd. “She’s like an auntie for me. I always enjoy sharing a laugh with her.”

As co-president of the Student Government Association last year, senior Genesis Figueroa worked closely with Dycus. “She was always there to help us out, especially when it was hard being a woman of color on the executive team,” said Figueroa. “I saw how she not only did her job, but also supported and encouraged students to speak up for themselves.”

For senior and first-generation college student Emily Suarez Nunez, Dycus has helped her recognize the value of quiet presence and support and become more confident speaking up for others.

“I appreciate that, even with her new role and responsibilities, she is still Shannon,” said Suarez Nunez. “Every time I see her, she’s the same kind, genuine, listening ear she’s always been. When I talk with her, the world slows down for a few minutes, and sharing that moment feels like a deep breath that refills and recharges me.”

A set of mosaic prints has adorned her 91����Ƶ offices. The prints feature portraits of people throughout history who have inspired her in different ways.

Among the portraits are bell hooks, the educator and activist who shaped Dycus’ understanding of what it means to be a teacher; theologian and spiritual leader Howard Thurman, the first Black dean of a predominantly white institution; and two icons of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

“I come to this role of president not as a traditional academic, but as a leader who seeks boldness and truth, like Martin and Malcolm did,” said Dycus. “I come as an educator who is deeply concerned with the growth of humans, as bell hooks was. And I come as someone who pays attention to the spirit in people and in our community, as Howard Thurman did. Whenever I feel fragmented or unconventional in how I arrived here, they remind me how all the pieces can come together in meaningful ways.”

Learn more about Dr. Dycus at��emu.edu/president.

The 91����Ƶ Washington Semester program started off in the fall of 1976 as a “high-risk proposition,” recalls Phil Baker-Shenk ’79.  

“It was a high risk for the college, a high risk for us individual students, and certainly a high risk for (program founder and director) Nelson Good ’68 and Arden Shank, who staffed it,” said Baker-Shenk, one of the first students in the yearlong program (then known as the Washington Study-Service Year or WSSY) from 1976-77. “It was a high risk all around, and yet people with good ideas decided to plunge in, take that risk, and make it happen.”

Fifty years later, that big gamble has paid off.

Alumni of the urban studies program—the only such program offered at Anabaptist-affiliated institutions—credit it with giving them improved professional confidence, greater clarity about career direction, more comfort in working with people different than they are, and an increased awareness of systemic injustices.

Each semester and summer, students from 91����Ƶ and partner schools such as Bethel College, Bluffton University, and Goshen College converge at the Nelson Good House in the culturally diverse and multiethnic Brookland neighborhood of Washington D.C. It’s there that they learn to live in a shared community, cooking and eating meals together, managing a collective budget and household responsibilities, and navigating conflict with maturity.

Students gain real-world professional experience in their chosen field of study through internship placements, study the history and social dynamics of the city, and immerse themselves in the rich culture and vibrancy of the nation’s capital.

Baker-Shenk was among the 60 alumni and supporters of the 91����Ƶ Washington Semester, from its beginnings in the 1970s through today, who gathered at the Busboys and Poets restaurant in Brookland on Saturday, Feb. 14, to share their memories and experiences from their time in the program and celebrate its 50-year legacy. The milestone reunion included remarks from Program Director Ryan Good, 91����Ƶ Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus, Provost Dr. Tynisha Willingham, and many students and alumni from the past five decades. 

Since its inception, more than 1,000 students have called the program home for a season of their lives, said Dycus. They’ve taken courses at and built relationships with institutions such as Catholic University of America and Howard University. And students have learned to live with difference, practice shared leadership, and carry conviction into real work.

“We’re celebrating a living, evolving experiment in education,” Dycus told the crowd. “One that has asked generations of students to take learning seriously enough to put it to work. Since 1976, this program has woven together community living, academic study, and vocational reflection right in the complexity of our nation’s capital.”

As the story’s been told, shared Dycus, Nelson Good came to D.C. as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War era. “And, out of that experience, he helped build a program committed to servant leadership and social justice, and an education shaped by peace, responsibility, and courage to see the city as it is.”

Nelson Good directed the program until his retirement in 1987, mentoring it through major transitions. When the time came to find a new home closer to public transportation and academic partners, he personally helped find and secure the building at 836 Taylor Street that became the Nelson Good House. 

“He did that work even while facing a cancer diagnosis and died a few months before the facility’s dedication (on Aug. 20, 2005),” Dycus said.

Alumni of the 91����Ƶ Washington Semester gather to celebrate the program’s 50-year legacy.

The 91����Ƶ Washington Semester offers a built-in social and professional network for its alumni, many of whom find long-term careers in D.C., thanks to the web of connections and relationships they build through the program.

Aerlande Wontamo ’06 was among the first cohort of 15 students to live at the Nelson Good House during the spring of 2006. She interned at the Ethiopian Community Development Council while taking classes at Howard University.

“It was such a meaningful experience for me because I got on (Howard’s) campus and I looked like everybody else,” said Wontamo, who is originally from Ethiopia. “There was another person in our group, I think from Goshen, who was also at Howard, and she was white. We would go to school, and that was the first time she felt like a minority. It was this wonderful experience for both of us.”

Like many alumni of the 91����Ƶ Washington Semester (it was known as the Washington Community Scholars’ Center or WCSC after 2002), Wontamo stayed in the city. Twenty years later, the economic development grad is still working in the refugee and immigrant services field as senior vice president of U.S. programs for World Relief, a global Christian humanitarian organization.

“It was my internship that was such a meaningful experience for me and led me through all of the steps to get to where I am,” she said. “So, I’m a huge fan of the program.”

Anisa Leonard ’21, a social work grad originally from Kenya, interned at Voices for a Second Chance, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals returning home from incarceration, during her spring 2021 semester in the program.

“The WCSC program was absolutely foundational in getting me to where I am now,” said the social worker. “It sparked my interest in working with people who are marginalized in so many ways, especially in a city so impacted by race and gentrification.”

Genesis Figueroa joined Ryan Good on stage for a conversation, reflecting on her experiences in the program during spring 2025. The 91����Ƶ senior, who is double majoring in political science and Spanish, interned at Catholic Charities in its immigration legal services department, where she provided translation, interpretation, and administrative work. She said she hopes to become an immigration lawyer.

“It definitely solidified what I want to do after college and what type of work I want to do,” she said. “It solidified my passion for it.”

Another 91����Ƶ senior, Dia Mekonnen, remembered living at the Nelson Good House with 13 other students during summer 2025. “It was really packed,” she said. “But it was really nice to connect with them. It was nice to cook together, to be able to share our perspectives, and we still hang out.”

Baker-Shenk credited Nelson Good, along with many other heroes, with the courage and vision to implement and sustain the idea of the D.C. program over the years.

“One of the many things he taught me, and it was a little hard for me to take back in the ’70s, was that institutions deserve our love and our commitment and our care,” he said. “Fifty years later, here’s an institution that has carried each of us in this room in one way or another, and it happened because it was nourished and encouraged.”

Kirk Shisler ’81, vice president for advancement, is a proud member of the third cohort of students in the program (1978-79). He told guests there were many ways to support the program. One such opportunity is through the Dr. Kimberly Schmidt Endowed Scholarship, which was dedicated during the program’s on-campus reunion at Homecoming 2025.

“Financial aid is such a critical part of the story for every student, and it’s an obstacle,” he said. “It’s an obstacle to participation in this program and others. And so what we can do to mitigate that through donor-funded aid is an opportunity we want to focus on.”

Learn more about the 91����Ƶ Washington Semester at .

Read more:

• Sept. 2025: Rebranded 91����Ƶ Washington Semester celebrates 50 years of career-building and community
• Nov. 2016: Forty years of service and learning celebrated at WCSC’s Nelson Good House
• Aug. 2015: Washington Community Scholars’ Center celebrates 10 years at the Nelson Good House in Brookland
• March 2014: The history of the Washington Community Scholars’ Center

The festival, hosted by the International Students Organization (ISO) and the International Food Festival Committee, is one of the most popular events on campus. It provides a chance for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to share traditional dishes from their cultures and enjoy delicious foods from all over the world.��This year’s event drew 233 attendees, including more than 175 students.

“It’s the one night of the year where the University Commons transforms into a global buffet and your taste buds get a passport,” a blurb promoting the event read.

ABOVE: The winning teams and cooks from Friday’s International Food Festival pose for a group photo at the Student Union. BELOW: Community members and students serve traditional Albanian (left) and Ethiopian cuisine (right).

A total of 11 teams participated in the competition. Those sampling the dishes could vote on their favorite cuisines through a QR code at each table. 

As announced on Friday, the winning individuals/small groups were:

• 1st place: Kurdistan (shfta, dolma, breany, salads, kubba, bammya, fasolya, rice, and paglawa) 
• 2nd place: Ethiopia (injera, misir, and tibs)
• 3rd place: Albania (lasagna, white rice with chicken and sauce, byrek with beef, byrek with cheese, and byrek with leek)

The winning clubs were:

• 1st place: Asian-Pacific Islander Student Alliance/APISA (sweetened coconut rice, mango slices, and salted coconut sauce)
• 2nd place: Latinx Student Alliance/LSA (tostadas, lettuce, sour cream, pico, and horchata)
• 3rd place: Black Student Alliance/BSA (jollof rice, African-style fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and bissap juice)

Other cuisines competing included those from Jamaica, Pakistan, Palestine/Syria, and the United States.

ABOVE: Members of the Latinx Student Alliance won second place in the competition. BELOW: Students serve dishes from Palestine/Syria (left) and from the Asian-Pacific Islander Student Alliance.

As a first-year student at 91����Ƶ, Reuben Wenger was attending the International Food Festival for the first time. The biochemistry and peacebuilding double major from Hutchinson, Kansas, said he enjoys trying new foods and had been looking forward to the event.

Choosing just one dish from the night was tough, but the food from Kurdistan stood out to him. “It was well-seasoned,” said Wenger, who was penning an article on the event for The Weather Vane. “They had different salads with textures and tastes I’ve never had before.”

Aram Hanson, an instructor for 91����Ƶ’s Intensive English Program (IEP), was among the winning team of cooks serving Kurdish food at the festival. He credited his teammates, who were all IEP students from Kurdistan.

“It feels absolutely great,” he said. “Our students are the ones who deserve it, because they cook really well.”

Daven Molina, a sophomore majoring in international business and marketing, said his favorite part of the night was “seeing all the smiles.” He added that it was his first time trying shawarma, and it was an instant hit.

“I’ve never had it before,” he said. “I got hype from the Avengers ���DZ�����—editor’s note: character Tony Stark suggests trying shawarma in the 2012 film—but when I actually tried it, I was like, This is very delicious.”

Another student, 91����Ƶ senior Jean Betancourt, said he liked the Kurdish food most, particularly the kuba (a dumpling‑like ball filled with seasoned meat) and biryani (a hearty rice and meat dish). 

In addition to the festival’s culinary diversity, he said his favorite part was the sense of community. “There’s always a lot of people here. You can talk to them, and it’s just a fun vibe.”

Adding to the fun vibe was DJ Adam Wirdzek (also known as EBRO), web content and strategy manager for marketing and communications, who dropped deep dubstep and cultural recommendations from the crowd.

No matter where you come from or which language you speak, there is a place for you in Harrisonburg and at 91����Ƶ, and Nasser Alsaadun MA ’17 (education) is living proof of that.

The Iraqi-born educator, who came to the United States in 2008, became the first refugee councilmember in the city’s history when he was elected last fall and began his in January. He says his presence on council sends a clear message that Harrisonburg is diverse and accepting and that local immigrants can feel welcome as a part of the community.

“People can all live in peace and learn from one another—your culture, my culture. We’re all in the same pot,” Alsaadun said. “I think that’s actually a unique thing about this area.”

Through his advocacy work, Alsaadun ensures that the Friendly City lives up to its name as a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds. He volunteers with , a local office of Church World Service that serves and advocates for refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, and immigrants in the Shenandoah Valley.

He is also a founder and board member of the , a community group that works to make the city more inclusive and supportive for immigrants and newcomers, addressing challenges they face, building relationships with them, and connecting them with resources.

One of those resources is 91����Ƶ’s renowned Intensive English Program (IEP). Alsaadun, who teaches Arabic courses as an at James Madison University and English Language Learner (ELL) classes for Rockingham County Public Schools, often motivates residents to enroll in IEP classes. The program, hosted in 91����Ƶ’s Roselawn Building, helps English language learners from all around the world find their voice and build a better life for themselves. In a typical semester, IEP has 60 to 80 students of varying ages and language skill levels representing 15 to 20 countries.

“91����Ƶ has one of the best English programs in the area,” Alsaadun said. “It has a great reputation with the immigrant community.”

He added that graduates of IEP are highly proficient, professional, and well-prepared to continue their education, not just at 91����Ƶ, but at any university. “From Winchester to Charlottesville, (that program) is the best there is.”

Did you know?
In Harrisonburg City Public Schools, more than 70 languages are spoken by the student population. The No. 1 spoken language isn’t English—it’s Spanish! Source: in the Daily News-Record. Learn more about IEP at .

Escaping danger

Alsaadun grew up in Iraq and graduated from the University of Basrah in 1997 with a bachelor of arts in English. When the Iraq War broke out, he served as an interpreter for the U.S. Army in 2003. Because of his help, he became a target of militia insurgents, who came looking for him. When they couldn’t find him, they kidnapped his father for two days, then tortured and killed him.

Alsaadun and his family fled to Syria and later relocated to Lebanon, where they received refugee status from the United Nations. They arrived in the United States in July 2008 and were resettled by CWS Harrisonburg.

While serving as a temporary instructor for JMU’s foreign language department, Alsaadun started working with the refugee resettlement office and other organizations to welcome newcomers and help refugees adjust to their new life. As he helped connect immigrants to 91����Ƶ’s Intensive English Program, he learned more about the university. He had heard so many success stories about its graduates and decided to enroll. And in 2017, he graduated from 91����Ƶ with a master of arts in education.

It had always been his father’s dream to see him earn a master’s degree, shared Alsaadun, and so it was especially meaningful to him. “I cried,” he said, “because I couldn’t have him there with me seeing that moment.”

‘A different touch’

Since graduating from 91����Ƶ, Alsaadun has continued his studies through courses at JMU and the University of Virginia. He said 91����Ƶ professors are unlike any others he has encountered in his education.

“I was blessed to have professors who recognized and appreciated the gifts I had,” Alsaadun said. “They knew I wasn’t a native English speaker and that I came from a different culture. Some teachers expect you to know everything, but my teachers at 91����Ƶ understood that sometimes you struggle. That kind of understanding is unique to 91����Ƶ.”

In August, while attending a city/91����Ƶ liaison committee meeting as a council representative, he received an email confirming his acceptance into the doctoral program at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He is now in his first semester, pursuing a PhD of education in curriculum and instruction, and credited 91����Ƶ and its professors for providing the tools and skills that have helped him succeed.

“It’s absolutely a different taste of education,” he said. “The courses at 91����Ƶ have a different touch.”

Alsaadun, now a U.S. citizen with a wife and four children, opened Babylon, a Middle Eastern restaurant and market in Harrisonburg, in 2016. He’s been invited to the White House on two occasions. He met former President Barack Obama in July 2016, in appreciation for “serving the community and being a good role model for refugees” and attended a leadership summit on refugees at the White House that September. He received the Leader of the Year award from Church World Service in 2022.

The program offers faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to develop ideas that advance opportunities to grow, learn, and belong together. “Inclusive excellence” is a research-based approach that encourages proactive, collaborative steps towards creating a community in which all belong. These grants are possible thanks to the generosity of��Jose Koshy ‘76��and��Jean Koshy-Hertzler ‘79.

Fall 2024

Lunar New Year APISA Trip

A trip to Washington, D.C., to celebrate the Lunar New Year and promote cultural appreciation and exposure for all students, featuring visits to Chinatown and the National Museum of Asian Art. Project co-leaders:��Leah Frankenfield, student;��Arushi Sachan, former admissions counselor; Asian and Pacific Islander Student Alliance, club.

Infusing Inclusion II DC

A mural project led by the Washington Community Scholars’ Center (WCSC) at 91����Ƶ’s Nelson Good House, designed to visually express inclusivity and solidarity within a diverse student and neighborhood setting. Project co-leaders: Ann Butwell, WCSC – associate director of student life and program administration; Ryan Good, associate professor of urban studies, program director – WCSC.

ADA Compliance Improvement and Panel

Campus improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), along with a panel discussion to raise awareness of accessibility and disability-related issues. Project co-leaders: Brandon Ewing, student; Mike Stellwag, Aramark maintenance supervisor; Disability Student Alliance, club.

BIPOC Student Support

A support group for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) students offering dialogue, workshops, mentorship, and resources to address systemic inequities. Project co-leaders: Tamika Jackson, assistant professor of counseling; Yenifer Dottin-Carter, student.

Spring 2025

Let’s Talk 91����Ƶ Mental Health

Panel and discussion circles addressing mental health issues affecting diverse student populations, including LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC students. Project co-leaders: Deanna Durham, associate professor of social work & sociology, program director – social work; Bria Wright, student.

Black Voices Matter: A Student Listening Summit

An off-campus retreat for Black students to discuss barriers, foster belonging, and offer recommendations to improve racial equity at 91����Ƶ. Project co-leaders: Venissa White, director of Safer Together – sexual violence prevention & response coordinator for Student Life; Celeste
Thomas, director of Multicultural Student Services.

LGBTQIA+ Support Training

Training for faculty and counselors on supporting LGBTQIA+ students, especially transgender students, led by a certified 91����Ƶ alum. Project co-leaders: Nikki Dovel, LPC, lead counselor for 91����Ƶ Counseling
Services; Kathy Evans, professor of teacher education, program director – education.

Stories of Belonging: A Visual and Narrative Exhibit

A rotating exhibit at 91����Ƶ Lancaster featuring stories and visuals from students, faculty, and staff about belonging and identity. Project co-leaders: Rebekah Christens, adjunct faculty at 91����Ƶ Lancaster; Wendy Kellogg, recruitment & enrollment specialist – Lancaster, Pa.

Tasting Mennonite Culture: Y1 and Y4 in Conversation

First-year and fourth-year students read the same book and discuss it over dinner at a local Old Order community home. Project co-leaders: Marti Eads, professor of English; Mary Ann Zehr, assistant professor of rhetoric & composition, program director – writing & communication.

Conversations 91����Ƶ Trauma Awareness and Resilience

Workshops led by 91����Ƶ’s Intensive English Program (IEP) on trauma awareness and resilience to foster inclusion and support for international and first-generation college students. Project co-leaders: Melissa May, lecturer; Wima Ranasinghe, IEP tutor.

Click to support the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Fund at 91����Ƶ.

Aram Hanson, an instructor in 91����Ƶ’s Intensive English Program (IEP), along with two of his IEP students, Dastan and Shalaw, conquered the competition at the 11th annual International Food Festival on Friday with their crowd-favorite Kurdish dishes.

Competing in the event for his first time, Hanson and his students prepared dolma (vegetables stuffed with rice and meat), biryani (a rice and meat dish), chicken tikka (kebabs), kuba (a type of dumpling), baklava and a variety of salads.  

“It seems that many people here liked our food, and that feels great,” he said after being announced as a winner. He added that two of his family members recently opened a restaurant called Kabob Corner on South Main Street in Harrisonburg, and that if people enjoyed his Kurdish food, they would love the dishes served at the restaurant.

For placing first in the individuals and small groups category, the trio of Kurdish cooks received $200 in winnings. A second-place prize of $125 was awarded to Mohammad Khatiri and Ayam Ali, the cheesecake-baking duo behind , and a $100 third-place prize was given to 91����Ƶ staff member Amina Anwar for her Pakistani biryani.

Since winning last year’s competition, Khatiri and Ali have been busy selling their cheesecakes through their Instagram page and said they plan to launch a website soon. Khatiri said he was glad to be back at the festival for another year. “We enjoy the whole vibe and like trying different types of food from different countries,” he said. 

The winners of the student clubs category received a trophy and bragging rights. They are:

• First place: Asian-Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APISA)
• Second place:  Black Student Alliance (BSA)
• Third place: Latinx Student Alliance (LSA)

A total of 14 teams participated in the competition. Those sampling the dishes could vote on their favorite cuisines through a QR code at each table. 

Hosted by the International Students Organization (ISO) and the International Food Festival Committee, the festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year, drawing hundreds of students, faculty, staff and other 91����Ƶ community members to celebrate the rich flavors and traditions from around the world. Micah Shristi, director of international student services, said that more than 275 people participated in this year’s festival. He said that students represent 55 countries at 91����Ƶ.

“A diversity of cultures, languages, and belief systems make our 91����Ƶ community stronger,” he said. “Nothing demonstrates this more deliciously than the International Food Festival.”

The turnout at the event included many students from other schools who were on campus for the Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship conference held over the weekend. One of those students, Abby Chappell Deckert of Bethel College in Newton, Kansas, said she enjoyed the Pakistani biryani. “I think it’s great,” she said while in line for cheesecake. “It’s really interesting to try food from other countries, and I think it’s a great alternative to the usual everyday ‘caf’ food that people get.” She said that Bethel has a very diverse student body, but does not have a similar food festival of its own.

While 91����Ƶ juniors Maria Longenecker and Leah Beachy may have disagreed on which cuisine earned their vote (Longenecker favored the Ethiopian dishes while her friend preferred the Kurdish ones), they said they both considered the festival among their favorite events of the year. “That Kurdish food was bussin, and you can quote me on that,” said Beachy, using a slang term for “delicious.”

In between bites, Harrisonburg Vice Mayor Dany Fleming and his wife, Carol, campus visit coordinator for the admissions office, took in the upbeat music and positive energy at the Student Union. “I love the diversity that 91����Ƶ brings and has brought historically to Harrisonburg,” the vice mayor said. “Part of the reason we are such an international city is specifically and directly because of 91����Ƶ and the work they do around the world.”

Friday’s event, held at the Orie O. Miller Hall of Nations inside University Commons, also included an announcement from ISO student leaders about seven new flags added to the hall: Belarus, Dominican Republic, Malawi, Mongolia, Puerto Rico, Sudan, and Uruguay. 

“These flags are more than fabric,” said 91����Ƶ senior and ISO co-President Fiker Yigzaw. “They are a testament to the stories, journeys, and contributions of our international students, past and present. Let’s continue to learn from one another, share in the joy of cultural exchange, and embrace the vibrant global spirit that unites us all.”

Take a look at more photos from the 2025 International Food Festival in our Flickr gallery below:

Annabeth Roeschley, executive director of the for LGBTQ Interests, will serve as keynote speaker for the third annual Queer History Month address. The free event will be held at Common Grounds in 91����Ƶ’s University Commons at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Roeschley, who uses they/she pronouns, is a longtime activist and adviser for queer intersectional justice within and beyond Mennonite Church USA. They embody this role as a queer abolitionist theologian, spiritual care curator, and politicized chaplain who dwells at the intersections of individual and collective healing. 

Roeschley graduated from Bluffton University and holds a Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary with a concentration in LGBTQ+ Religious Studies. 

91����Ƶ alumnus Christian Parks ’16 will facilitate a conversation with Roeschley during the event.

Last year, Tori Cooper, a Black transgender woman who serves as director of community engagement for the Human Rights Campaign’s Transgender Justice Initiative, spoke at the annual keynote address.

The census numbers, collected on Sept. 9, represent undergraduate, graduate, non-degree and non-credit enrollment on the main Harrisonburg, Virginia, campus and the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, site for fall 2024.

“Amidst a challenging higher education environment, I am delighted that 91����Ƶ is seeing growth in areas that reflect our shared values and ongoing commitment to belonging,” said Braydon Hoover ’11, MA ’21, vice president for enrollment. “It is important to note that while we are reporting our fall enrollment in aggregate, each number represents an individual student who has chosen 91����Ƶ to be the catalyst of their bright futures. It is a choice we celebrate and a responsibility we take seriously. We will continue to deliver an exceptional education experience that is accessible for them and for all students interested in becoming unifying leaders.”

Explore more data 
in the 91����Ƶ Fact Book.

The number of incoming students in the aviation program at 91����Ƶ at Lancaster surged from 9 to 23 (a 155% increase from last year), contributing to a total undergraduate enrollment of 755 students and an incoming class enrollment of 183 students. The Class of 2028 represents 15 states/territories and 10 countries and includes 34% of students who identify as first-generation and 53% who identify as people of color (a roughly 10% increase from last year). Of the incoming class, 43% are athletes.

Top areas of study, starting from most popular, include nursing, business and leadership, STEM, aviation, and education. The Intensive English Program realized an 18% enrollment increase from 84 to 99 students.

This year at least 32 teachers from the Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County public school divisions are renewing their licensure through the Graduate Teacher Education program, further demonstrating 91����Ƶ’s commitment to community partnerships.

91����Ƶ’s retention rate, which is generally used as a gauge of student satisfaction, remains high. According to census data, 76% of the first-year undergraduate students who entered in fall 2023 continued their studies at 91����Ƶ this semester. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the rate has measured 75% or higher.

“Our retention rate continues to soar above the national average,” said Provost Dr. Tynisha Willingham. “Achieving this for six consecutive years is a feat. 91����Ƶ’s collaborative approach, involving various departments working in synergy, ensures that students receive comprehensive support and have the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.”

91����Ƶ’s eight graduate programs, which include Eastern Mennonite Seminary and the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, continue to draw exceptional candidates with total full-time equivalent enrollment at 225 students. The number of new graduate students, including part-time and full-time students, is up by 30%. Those 108 degree-seeking students in the incoming graduate class represent 17 states and 16 countries.

Dr. David Evans
Seminary Associate Professor of History and Intercultural Studies, and Director of Intercultural Studies

Evans received the grant to prepare and teach a pilot section of the new CORE 300 “Power, Systems, and Justice” course. This class focuses on race, gender, economic inequality, class, and other dimensions of identity and difference. Students will describe and analyze the ways structural inequality shapes their lives and those around them, and develop skills to work toward equity in their own professional and personal lives. Students will have the opportunity to develop creative and ethical ways of strategically disrupting and transforming unjust systems.

Dr. Kate Clark
Associate Professor of Nursing and Program Director of Public Health

Clark was granted funding for three initiatives. First, she will conduct a review of the current undergraduate nursing curriculum related to nursing care and special considerations for marginalized patient populations. Second, she will gather recommendations from students on content regarding these issues as well as engaging teaching strategies. Finally, she will collaborate with nursing colleagues to develop intentional, scaffolded “threads” through the curriculum focused on racial disparities in health and the care of LGBTQ+ patient populations, and suggest the addition of associated program outcome measures.

Health disparities associated with race and sexual orientation persist throughout health care. Due to these disparities’ implicit and pervasive nature, nurses and other health care workers must understand their existence, explore their reasons, and discuss strategies for nurses to address disparities. 91����Ƶ’s nursing program aims to provide targeted content on the care of marginalized patient populations.

The Hertzler-Koshy Faculty Fellowship Program, honoring��John Asa and Rebecca Hertzler, supports full-time faculty members who encourage student collaborations and advance projects that integrate and infuse diversity into the curriculum with a specific focus on race, ethnicity, disability, and gender content in the curricula (undergraduate, graduate, intercultural programs, training).��

The program offers faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to develop ideas that advance opportunities to grow, learn, and belong together. “Inclusive excellence” is a research-based approach that encourages proactive, collaborative steps towards creating a community in which all belong.

These grants are possible thanks to the generosity of Jose Koshy ‘76 and Jean Koshy-Hertzler ‘79. Jose Koshy will deliver the keynote address during 91����Ƶ’s Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Fall 2023

BIPOC-focused Mental Health Three-day Residency with Vincent Jones

This program aims to increase awareness and provide resources for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People Of Color) male athletes, BIPOC students, particularly social work majors, and the wider university community. The program prioritizes creating a safe space for BIPOC students to discuss mental health challenges and learn from an experienced practitioner who understands their cultural context. Additionally, it aims to educate social work students on culturally competent practice and provide insights into professional practice, including working in public schools and graduate school tips.

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: Carrie Bert, director of athletics; Mikaela Brooks, head women’s lacrosse coach; Deanna Durham, associate professor of social work & sociology, program director – social work; Deanna Reed, regional advancement director; Shannon Dycus, VP of student affairs and dean of students; Rubi Long, student; Kylik Bradshaw, student; Brii Redfearn, student.

The Intersectionality of Sexual Violence and Diversity

Sexual violence disproportionately affects individuals aged 18-34, with women experiencing these crimes most frequently, while men are also affected. Transgender, genderqueer, and nonconforming college students face the highest risk. Women of color are particularly vulnerable, with a significant proportion experiencing sexual violence. We aim to host events that combine education, entertainment, and diverse perspectives to foster respectful and honest conversations. By providing a platform for engaging discussions, we seek to raise awareness, reduce sexual violence on campus, and facilitate healthy exchanges of ideas among participants.

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: Venissa White, Catherine��Rittenhouse; project director; Rehana Franklin, student; Tibby Miller, student; Ashley Mellinger, student; Sarah Moore, student; Jordyn Thompson, student.

Infusing Inclusion through Visual Representation at the 91����Ƶ House in DC

The Washington Community Scholars’ Center (WCSC) is initiating a project with students to make their living quarters more welcoming by featuring artwork from local artists of underrepresented groups. This effort aims to create an inclusive environment and combat racism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression through visual representations of diversity and solidarity. The artwork is chosen to make all visitors, especially students and their families, feel included and to challenge traditional, dominant symbols. The project is designed to impact inclusivity and acceptance within the community beyond just the current semester.

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: Ann Butwell, WCSC – associate director of student life and program administration; Ryan Good, associate professor of urban studies, program director – WCSC.

Queer Together Mural

The initiative entails the creation of a mural symbolizing queer inclusion at 91����Ƶ, serving as a visual testament to the university’s commitment to embracing diversity and cultivating an inclusive culture. Community engagement will be integral to the project, allowing individuals to actively participate and contribute their perspectives. Close collaboration with administrators will ensure the selection of a prominent campus location, effectively highlighting 91����Ƶ’s dedication to fostering belonging and inclusivity for all members of the community.

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: August France, student; Will Blosser, student.

Multilingual Affiliate of The Weather Vane: Global Voices

The Weather Vane, 91����Ƶ’s longstanding campus newspaper, has consistently focused on reflecting the student body’s voices, opinions, and concerns. However, it has historically overlooked the representation of non-English languages within the campus. The newspaper aims to publish a special edition featuring the diverse languages spoken by students, especially those in the Intensive English Program. By highlighting the experiences of these students, who navigate daily life in a language that is not their first, The Weather Vane seeks to enhance understanding of multilingualism and address the complexities of linguistic diversity within the campus community.

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: Hannah Landis, student; Zack Furr, student.

Extended Family

91����Ƶ is collaborating with MFA student Iover Ikeseh to create a mural titled Extended Family on campus. This project explores identity, diversity, and inclusion themes, using the metaphor of family — an institution embodying a broad spectrum of characteristics like gender, race, and beliefs. Although families often struggle with inclusivity, this initiative seeks to counteract that by involving BSA students, Art Club members, and other interested students in the painting process. The resulting mural will use imagery, colors, and designs to represent the diverse identities within the 91����Ƶ community.

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: Cyndi Gusler, professor of art; Anna Westfall, associate professor of art.

Celebrating the Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance, a cultural, social, and artistic movement that flourished in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s and 1930s, brought together a vibrant community of black writers, artists, musicians, photographers, poets, and scholars. Of Ebony Embers is a chamber music theater production that delves into the lives of African-American artists who played pivotal roles in shaping the Harlem Renaissance. The musical repertoire of Of Ebony Embers features compositions by jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Billy Strayhorn, Thelonius Monk, and Charles Mingus, alongside concert music by composers Jeffrey Mumford and George Walker.

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: David Berry, associate professor of music; Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services.

Increasing Accessibility of Menstrual Hygiene Products on 91����Ƶ Campus

Students Irais Barrera Pinzon and Isaac North-Sandel are spearheading an initiative at 91����Ƶ to provide students with free menstrual hygiene products (tampons and pads). They plan to install five dispensers across campus bathrooms, ensuring they are regularly stocked. They are collaborating with local entities, including Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, to secure support from businesses like CVS and Target and Royal Women for 91����Ƶ, a group dedicated to women’s issues. Initial funding from the Inclusive Excellence grant will be used to purchase the products and dispensers, aiming to sustain the project beyond their graduation.

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: Irais Barrera Pinzon, student; Isaac North-Sandel, student.

Spring 2024

Girls & Women in Sports Clinic @ 91����Ƶ

Over the past one to two years, the 91����Ƶ Athletic Department has organized a girls and women in sports clinic to empower young females in our community. This event serves as an opportunity to bring together athletics faculty/staff, current students, and young girls from the community. The objective is to impart sports skills to these girls while highlighting how sports can empower females. Recognizing the underrepresentation of women in sports, 91����Ƶ Athletics is committed to creating spaces where female athletes can excel and inspire the next generation. The aim is to foster mentorship and leadership among females in sports by connecting younger community members with student-athlete role models.

Award: $1070

Project co-leaders: Jenny Posey, head women’s basketball coach; Mikayla Via, student; Mya Hamlet, student.

Cultural Oasis: Creating a Haven for Belonging and Inclusion

Research on cultural centers in higher education has primarily targeted students of color but is increasingly including LGBTQ students. These centers serve as safe spaces at predominantly white institutions where marginalized students often encounter challenges regarding their presence and abilities. The project plans to convert a room in the counseling department into a multipurpose space for marginalized students, featuring study areas, meditation spaces, resource centers, and venues for cultural events and dialogue. This personalized space will cater to the needs of various affinity groups, enhancing inclusivity and fostering a sense of ownership.

Award: $1950

Project co-leaders: Jennifer Cline, assistant professor of counseling; Yenifer Dottin-Carter, student; Fengyi Huang, student; Stormi Nuckoles, student; Nick LaGrua, student.

The 91����Ƶ Gospel Choir

The recently-reactivated 91����Ƶ Gospel Choir is seeking financial support to cover expenses for musicians, copyright music, musical equipment, and IT services for performances. Gospel music, deeply rooted in African and African American cultures, provides a safe and culturally resonant space for African American students and allies to engage spiritually. The choir, which does not require auditions, aims to promote inclusivity and diversify 91����Ƶ’s musical offerings by challenging traditional, predominantly white musical structures. This initiative supports 91����Ƶ’s strategic priorities of fostering belonging, creating inclusive experiences, and challenging institutional norms.

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: Mikayla Pettus, student; Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services; David Berry, associate professor of music, program director – music.

MLK Jr. Play 

Multicultural Student Services, Black Student Alliance, and 91����Ƶ Theatre are teaming up to produce a play for the MLK events in January 2025, aiming to engage 91����Ƶ, the community, and the region. This collaborative effort will involve a guest director, preferably an 91����Ƶ alum, and a diverse cast and crew comprising students, community members, and alums. Several plays are under consideration, including The Meeting by Jeff Stetson, Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu, and Widows and Warriors by Donna Coles, among others. The final selection will prioritize accessibility, potential community impact, and feasibility within limited budget and time constraints.

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services; Justin Poole, associate professor of theatre, program director – theatre.

The Green Bandana Project 

The Green Bandana Project, originating in 2014, began as a response to suicide loss and has since evolved into a dynamic initiative. Student athlete leaders across a conference expressed a desire to bring this project to each campus, recognizing the importance of mental health support. Their vision includes training individuals in Mental Health First Aid on campus and collaborating with key campus stakeholders to impact mental health positively.

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: Stephanie Roby, athletic trainer; Mike Ramer, residence director; Amber Bonds, student; Kaley Frazier, student.

WCSC Inclusion Training

The WCSC program comprises students from diverse backgrounds, spanning cultural, racial, gender, class, and political spectrums. The grant will fund training sessions on nonviolent communication and conflict resolution for fall 2024 and spring 2025. Led by outside experts Kirstin and Merwyn De Mello, these sessions aim to enhance students’ capacity to navigate conflicts constructively, fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for all residents.

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: Ann Butwell, WCSC – associate director of student life and program administration; Ryan Good, associate professor of urban studies, program director – WCSC; Dima Kassem, associate director of communications & recruitment – WCSC.

Diversifying 91����Ƶ Ed. Dept. Bookshelves

91����Ƶ recognizes the importance of representation in fostering an inclusive education, so plans to provide around 80 diverse children’s and Young Adult literature for use in course curricula, benefiting students from various backgrounds and majors, including future educators. This initiative aims to combat isolation and ensure that all students can see themselves reflected in their required reading materials. 

Award: $1200

Project co-leaders: Trina Trotter Nussbaum, associate director – CIE; Dr. Barbara Wheatley, assistant professor of education; Erika Lopez, student.

The celebration was held at Brix & Columns Vineyards in McGaheysville, Virginia. Eighteen guests from 91����Ƶ, including students, administrators, faculty and staff, attended to show their support for Font-Guzmán.

The Diversity Business Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional personal and professional leadership within the business or nonprofit community, according to the nomination form. 

“This person must have a track record of giving back to their community through the creation of economic opportunities, advocating for minorities and those in the protected classes in the workplace and/or in business, or creating an environment for residents to become self-sufficient or successful,” it reads.

Font-Guzmán, who was hired to lead the Office of DEI in 2021, has made great strides in increasing the sense of belonging for all students at 91����Ƶ. This progress is highlighted in a short-form documentary featuring actor Dennis Quaid and airing in millions of homes.

“Jackie has accelerated 91����Ƶ’s DEI journey,” 91����Ƶ President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman said. “She has equipped us in word and deed for how we can expand our horizons and belong together as a community of learners.”

Font-Guzmán said she was deeply grateful for the support and the opportunity to continue contributing to the community’s journey toward inclusivity and belonging. 

“This award is a testament to the extraordinary community at 91����Ƶ,” she said. “My efforts are built upon the foundational work of countless individuals who have advocated for and advanced DEI over many years.”