Dear Ithaca College Community,
I would like to take this moment to share two significant recent staffing updates within the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Life.
First, I am thrilled to share that we have appointed Lauren Kelly Benson as the new Director for the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. Lauren Kelly officially began their tenure at Ithaca College on Monday, August 5.
Lauren Kelly brings a wealth of experience in teaching, community building, and programming across a variety of spaces and settings including: secondary and higher-education institutions, non-profits, leadership development cohorts, corporations, and foundations. Their work is guided through a trauma informed, disability justice, and anti-racist lens. Lauren Kelly holds several affiliations and accreditations including being a member of the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network and BEAM: Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective.
Their professional background includes cohort training and workshop facilitation with MNDFL @ Work, which works with a variety of workplaces to support the values of equity, mindfulness, and holistic wellness. Lauren Kelly is also the founder and lead teacher of The Black Wellness Project, a donor-funded initiative that supports yoga, meditation, mindfulness and ritual classes and workshops in Black affinity spaces.
Lauren Kelly recently completed their Masters in Divinity with a concentration in Interfaith Ministry from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. They also hold an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Hunter College.
"I am so excited to get to know and support our IC community," Lauren Kelly said. "My heart and work is in creating connections, belonging, and community across faiths, beliefs, and values, and I’m grateful to be able to serve IC in this way. I look forward to exploring how we can practice together ways of feeling emotionally and spiritually resourced to face the big realities and mysteries of the world. I encourage our community to please feel free to stop into the Muller Chapel and say hi as we get ready to start the new academic year!"
In addition, I would like to take this moment to provide an update regarding the structure and leadership within the BIPOC Unity Center. I am pleased to announce that Cliff-Simon Vital has been elevated from the role of Assistant Director to the role of Interim Associate Director of the BIPOC Unity Center for the 2024-25 academic year. Cliff-Simon, together with Shadayvia Wallace, Associate Director of the BIPOC Unity Center/Program Director for the MLK Scholars Program and First Generation Programs, will co-lead in providing day-to-day direction for the Center.
Marsha Johnson (Dawson), who served as the Interim Director for the BIPOC Unity Center in addition to her duties as Dean of Students during the Spring 2024 semester, will be stepping down from her Interim Director appointment. Luca Maurer, Executive Director for Student Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, will continue to provide overall supervision and support to the BIPOC Unity Center.
Cliff-Simon is entering their second year at Ithaca College and has provided remarkable leadership and dedicated service during a crucial time of transition for the Center. Cliff-Simon has done excellent work in coordinating the Ithaca Achievement Program (IAP), facilitating impactful events/programs, and providing dedicated mentorship to the BIPOC Unity Center’s Peer Educators. I look forward to having their co-leadership and strategic vision guide the amazing work of the BIPOC Unity Center during the upcoming academic year.
"I am honored to step into the role of Associate Director for the BIPOC Unity Center," Cliff-Simon said. "After a year of uncertainty, I look forward to continuing and elevating our mission of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where all students feel empowered to succeed and thrive. We have a lot of work to do and I am ready to amplify voices, build on our collective strengths, celebrate diverse narratives, and create meaningful change within our community."
I am also excited to share that we have filled two key vacancies within the BIPOC Unity Center that will help us continue to amplify the amount of support we can offer to both students and campus partners. McKenzie Murry has recently joined the BIPOC Unity Center as its new Program Coordinator and will be responsible for supporting a wide range of programming and events hosted by the Center. Erin Foster is also a new member of the BIPOC Unity Center and will serve as the Administrative Operations Coordinator.
"I am delighted that Lauren Kelly Benson has joined us as the newest member of our team, and about the new co-leadership roles Cliff-Simon and Shadayvia have this year," Luca Maurer, Executive Director for Student Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging said. "The unique set of skills, expertise and perspectives Lauren Kelly brings as they step into this key position are invaluable at a critical time of both challenge and opportunity for our campus and our world. Lauren Kelly's vision and experience will bring the mission of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life -- truly the "heart" of IC -- to life. Both Cliff-Simon and Shadayvia have demonstrated unwavering commitment and leadership during a pivotal time for the BIPOC Unity Center. I am excited to support their co-leadership that will continue to drive the work of the Center in the coming year, and honored to work alongside the entire Student Equity, Inclusion and Belonging team to move this work forward, from diversity and inclusion toward equity and justice."
With the hire of Lauren Kelly Benson and the announcement of Cliff-Simon’s promotion, I am thrilled that our SACL Leadership Team is now complete as we get ready for the imminent start of the 2024-25 academic year. The importance of strong leadership within these two departments is crucial, particularly as we continue to navigate the complexities and profound challenges spurred by current events. The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and the BIPOC Unity Center will play a pivotal role in nurturing brave spaces where students can feel seen, build meaningful connections, and are empowered to embrace their true selves as they pursue their academic and personal growth at Ithaca College.
Sincerely,
Stanley A. Bazile, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life