Meet Our Staff

M. Cristina Alcalde, Ph.D.

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Vice President for Transformational and Inclusive Excellence
OTIE@miamioh.edu 

Cristina Alcalde is Vice President for Transformational and Inclusive Excellence at Miami University. She also holds an appointment as professor of global and intercultural studies. In her VP role, she provides strategic vision and leadership for a holistic, coordinated approach to inclusive excellence for faculty, staff, and students.

Before joining Miami, she served as associate dean of inclusion and internationalization in the College of Arts and Sciences and as Marie Rich Endowed Professor in gender and women’s studies at the University of Kentucky, where she also designed and directed the Online Graduate Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion. As a scholar-practitioner, she has published widely and speaks nationally and internationally on inclusion, race and racialization, gender violence, migration, exclusion, belonging, and leadership.

In addition to dozens of journal articles and chapters, her books include  Dismantling Institutional Whiteness: Emerging Forms of Leadership in Higher Education (2022); #MeToo and Beyond: Perspectives on a Global Movement (2022); Familia, exclusión y racismo de la peruanidad: la tía Eliana (2022); Peruvian Lives across Borders: Power, Exclusion, and Home (2018); Provocations: A Transnational Reader in the History of Feminist Thought (2015); La mujer en la violencia (2014); and The Woman in the Violence: Gender, Poverty, and Resistance in Peru (2010). Recent shorter pieces on women in leadership positions, re-envisioning leadership in higher ed, and women of color and burnout have appeared in Inside Higher Ed and Ms. Magazine. She is co-editor of the Navigating Careers in Higher Ed Book Series, Editorial Board Member of the Political and Legal Anthropology Review, and Editorial Board Member of Insight into Diversity. In 2024, she was named as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Ohio by Women We Admire.

Hiram Ramirez, Ph.D.

Pronouns: He, Him, His
Assistant Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Initiatives
ramireh2@MiamiOH.edu

Hiram Ramirez joined Miami University in Spring 2022. His current role is focused on collaborating with campus stakeholders - faculty, staff, and students - to advance strategic initiatives geared towards embedding Inclusive Excellence throughout the institution. He is passionate about inclusive excellence as a pathway for co-constructing campus culture with faculty, staff, and students. During his 15 years in higher education, he has been an inclusive leader who strives to innovate and transform communities through structural changes.

He coordinates and leads efforts that encompass capacity-building opportunities, leverage data to inform project development and implementation of best practices, grant writing projects, communications and marketing content strategy, and other major strategic initiatives to foster an inclusive and welcoming campus community. His work focuses on cultivating culture change through collaborations and intentional research-based approaches, to create sustainable changes at Miami that foster inclusive workplaces, classrooms, and the campus community more broadly. 

As a scholar, his research is anchored in American higher education and has explored: Latino men's relationship with machismo and its influence on their collegiate journey, men of color in higher education, masculinity, academic success, and other related topics. 

When he is not championing inclusive excellence or supporting the various projects within the office, he can be found wrangling one of his four cats with his husband to cuddle and enjoy a good fantasy book. 

Tekeia N. K. Howard

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Director, Programming
howardt9@miamioh.edu

Tekeia N. K. Howard is the Director for Programming for the Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence.  She has over 20 years of experience in primary and secondary education; and in higher education serving in residence life, identity centers, service learning, community building, and teaching. 

Tekeia leverages her experience and background to drive program development, cultural transformation and inclusive education in her work. As the Director for Programming she develops and facilitates workshops, training and events to advance strategic goals. Tekeia also brings the Miami community together  to celebrate culture, heritages and community. She is passionate about creating pathways to achieve equity and access for all through innovation education.

She balances her life between family and serving in the communities, where she lives, works and plays.

Bri Kind

Graduate Assistant
kindbd@miamioh.edu 

Bri is a Cleveland, OH native and a graduate of Miami University, where they are currently pursuing their Master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE). As a first-year graduate student, Bri works as a Graduate Assistant for the Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence (OTIE), where they actively engage in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across campus. 

Bri is deeply committed to learning about diverse cultures and perspectives and believes in the importance of creating accessible environments for all students. With a passion for fostering community and belonging, Bri aspires to work to support student success and retention efforts in higher education in the future, helping to build welcoming and inclusive spaces where every student can thrive.

Olivia Gallo

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Student Associate
otie@miamioh.edu

Olivia Gallo is one of two, newly appointed Student Associates at the Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence. She is currently a Junior, pursuing studies in Organizational Leadership and Social Justice, dedicating her time to advocating for women’s rights and fostering the strengths of those around her. Olivia plays an active role in her campus sorority, Chi Omega, where she serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In addition she leads a women's ministry on campus, called Delight Ministries. She aspires to channel her passion for women’s empowerment and DEI into a future career focused on employee development within organizations. Her commitment to building meaningful and lasting relationships is evident in all aspects of her work. Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Olivia enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, singing, traveling, and cooking. As a Denver native, she particularly loves sunsets.