Team Members

Christina Carrubba-Whetstine, currently serves as the director of the Rinella Learning Center and has worked at Miami University for 20 years. Christina's educational background includes bachelor's and master's degrees that focused on the study of student movements in history and her doctorate in higher education that focused on the exclusionary practices and cultures embedded in institutions of higher education. As the result of her doctoral research, Christina helped develop the Access Fellows Program that celebrates and supports low-income college students. Christina feels passionate about serving on the DEI action team, because she believes this moment in history has great potential for cultural change, especially at Miami University.

Leslie Haxby McNeill is the Assistant Director in the Office of Student Wellness (2001–present) where she established and advises the HAWKS Peer Health Educators and coordinates wellness-related initiatives. Her previous positions include Residence Life at Miami University and the University of Southern California. She received a B.A. in History with a focus on U.S. marginalized populations from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s degree from Michigan State University in Higher Education Administration.

Leslie is passionate about serving on the DEI Action Team. With a deep commitment to Miami University, students and student activism, and a personal belief system rooted in equity and inclusion, she believes every significant change happens when students are involved and that we can and must do better.

Kesha Hilson serves as Coordinator for The Office of Community Standards and has been with Miami University since May of 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Services from Bowling Green State University with a focus on family support and community access services. Kesha is excited to work with the diversity, equity, and inclusion team to contribute to continuously building a campus community that gives a voice and opportunities to the traditionally underserved and/or under-represented student population. In her free time, Kesha enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and finding new and interesting podcasts to listen to.

Octavia Hubert (she/her) currently serves as a Resident Director for the Office of Residence Life at Miami University. She is also a co-advisor for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Leadership Team. Octavia’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University with a focus on Interdisciplinary Health Services and a master’s degree in Higher Education Student Affairs from Eastern Michigan University. Through Octavia’s experiences in caring for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, teaching/coaching at-risk students, and travel adventures, she has come to value connection. Octavia is passionate about creating meaningful relationships and helping students find their place in the world. Octavia has a deep commitment to implementing change in the community and serving on the DEI action team because she believes that good change happens when students feel safe and appreciated.

Ryan Kwapniowski serves as the Assistant Director for Student Activities in the Center for Student Engagement, Activities & Leadership. Ryan advises Miami Activities & Programming (MAP), oversees Late Night Miami, and helps coordinate large-scale programming including Homecoming, Family Weekend, and Welcome Weekend events. Ryan has a Bachelor's degree in Health Administration from Creighton University, and a Master's in Higher Education Administration from Clemson University. Ryan is passionate about creating inclusive spaces and programs where all students feel welcomed and accepted for who they are. He is excited to contribute to the DEI Action Team and help make a difference within the Miami community. Catch Ryan outside of the office playing with his dog, Finley, or explore the best local places to eat!

Ghada Mahdi serves as the Learning Specialist/Coordinator at the Rinella Learning Center. She has been at Miami University since the spring of 2021. She's an educator who is devoted to improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in significant ways through mentorship, education, and research. She is committed to helping students excel academically, professionally, and socially. Enhancing cultural competencies and strengthening the practice of DEI to create a culture of belonging is something she values immensely. Ghada also aspires to better serve, understand and appreciate diverse student populations (especially those who are under-represented) whether in the classroom or in an academic counseling session.

Noah Montague (He/Him/His) is one of the Resident Directors for the Office of Residence Life. In his role, Noah oversees Bishop, Stoddard, and Elliott Halls and oversees the Graduate Assistant for Minnich Hall. In addition, Noah oversees the Scholar Leader program, a historic leadership, service, and equity-based residential program housed in Stoddard and Elliott Halls. Noah's educational background includes a bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University in English Literature and Creative Writing and a Master's degree in Student Affairs and Higher Education from Miami University. Noah is passionate about change-making, storytelling, and creating spaces in which students feel that they can both tell their individual stories and learn the skills to do so in a way that centers their individual experiences and goals. Through both his work with Scholar Leaders and the DEI action team Noah hopes to help students to become change-makers on Miami's campus and in their larger communities.

Kimberly Moore is Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students. In addition to directing the Office of the Dean of Students, she oversees the following functional areas: Residence Life, Community Standards, Rinella Learning Center, and the Miller Center for Student Disability Services. Prior to her current role, she served Loyola University Chicago in various roles for over fourteen years. Moore has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, a Master’s in Education in Higher Education from Loyola University Chicago, and a Doctorate in Education and Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. Her passion and research focuses on student retention, persistence, and student success; emphasizing first-generation student support and advocacy for underrepresented students. Moore is dedicated to the field of student affairs and works to create opportunities for students to engage fully in campus life and ultimately thrive during their time in college.

Hannah first came to Miami as a graduate intern in 2016 and returned in 2018 to serve as an Assistant Director at the Armstrong Student Center. Hannah graduated with Bachelor's degrees in Political Science and History from IUPUI and has a Master’s of Education in College Student Personnel from Ohio University. She is passionate about the DEI Action Team because she believes that all students should feel appreciated, safe, and valued in the Miami and Oxford communities. She is excited to work with the DEI Action team to create lasting change in the greater community. Outside of work, you can find Hannah training her dog, Lilly, running, and going on adventures with family and friends.

Alexis Roach (she/her) serves as an Assistant Director of Orientation and Transition Programs and has been at Miami since June 2021. Alexis graduated from Arcadia University with her Bachelor’s degree in Education Studies and from the University of Connecticut with her Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Alexis is excited to be part of the important work of the DEI Action team to help enact meaningful change. She is especially passionate about education and providing space for learning and growth. In her free time, Alexis enjoys distance running and visiting national parks!

Claire Schoenfeld is a senior from Dayton, Ohio, and has been serving on the DEI Action Team since its inception in 2020. She is double majoring in Professional Writing and Media & Culture with a minor in General Business. Claire is involved on campus as President of the English honors society Sigma Tau Delta, Director of Philanthropy for her social sorority, and a University Tour Guide in the Office of Admissions. She also enjoys being a member of the MU Rock Climbing Club and the MU Marine Biology Club. Claire is passionate about bringing DEI efforts to all communities across Miami’s campus and is excited to spend her final year at Miami serving on the DEI Action Team. Following her graduation in the Spring of 2023, Claire plans to pursue a career in marketing and communications, where she hopes to use her education and experience to connect with historically underrepresented communities. In her free time, Claire enjoys writing music, rock climbing, and traveling.

Jacqlyn Schott is a Learning Specialist/Coordinator in the Rinella Learning Center. After earning her Master's degree in Student Affairs from Miami University, she joined the RLC full-time in 2021 after serving as a graduate assistant. She earned her Bachelor's degrees in English (Literature Studies & Creative Writing) and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in 2013 from Otterbein University. Jacqlyn's undergraduate studies and passion for theatre have given her a unique lens to bring the arts to her responsibilities of advocating for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, teaching transitional courses, and providing academic counseling for students. She also brings this, along with a love for creating connections, to the coordination of Rinella's Special Programs and now to the DEI Action Team. Outside of work, Jacqlyn can be found continuing to deepen her passion for meaningful, transformational storytelling in the community theatre world, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and working towards her doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Hope is an Access Coordinator with over 28 years of experience in working with students and adults with disabilities. She has worked in non-profit and state government settings and has been with Miami’s Miller Center for Student Disabilities for nearly eight years. Hope is also the Senior Department Lean Leader for the Division of Student Life and a Ph.D. student in the Leadership, Culture, and Curriculum program.

Scott L. Walter joined Miami University in August 2010 as Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. He brings over 25 years of Student Affairs experience to Miami. He is charged with providing leadership for the overall administrative area of Student Life, comprising the Armstrong Student Center, Student Activities and the Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, the Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service, the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion, and the Associated Student Government. He is responsible for establishing partnerships with students, faculty, staff, and others with the goal of enhancing student success by creating an engaging environment. Dr. Walter earned his doctorate and master’s degrees from the University of Arkansas and his B.S. from the University of Southern Mississippi.

John Ward began serving as the Director of Student Counseling Service (SCS) in March 2018 approximately 16 years after he joined Miami University. Prior to overseeing the talented team of mental health professionals, he served as Coordinator of Men’s Services, Assistant Director for Clinical Services, and Associate Director of SCS. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Comparative Religion from Miami University and a Master of Arts in Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island. John is a licensed clinical psychologist. John has been the recipient of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD) Harriett Copher Haynes Diversity Leadership Mentoring Award and the Male Ally award from Miami University’s Women*s Center. John’s clinical and professional expertise are in diversity and inclusion, psychological supervision and training, gatekeeper training, as well as establishing campus and community mental health partnerships. John is excited to be a part of this action team and believes that when together meaningful change is possible on Miami’s campus.

Dasha currently serves as Director of the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion. Dasha is an alum of Miami University and holds a Master’s Degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education. Throughout her career in collegiate student services, Dasha has always worked to serve the misrepresented student population to support and provide them with the resources they need to feel welcome and be successful during their undergraduate careers. Dasha is extremely passionate about the DEI Action Team, having once been an undergraduate of the Miami community, she hopes to help instill change and make all students feel welcome and heard.