M. Cristina Alcalde, Ph.D.

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
vpdiversity@MiamiOH.edu

Cristina Alcalde is Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. She also holds an appointment as professor of global and intercultural studies. In her role as vice president, she provides strategic vision and leadership for a holistic, coordinated approach to inclusive excellence for faculty, staff, and students. Prior to joining Miami, she served as Associate Dean of Inclusion and Internationalization in the College of Arts and Sciences and 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 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 and Editorial Board Member of the Political and Legal Anthropology Review. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and their two cats.

Hiram Ramirez, Ph.D.

Pronouns: He, Him, His
Senior Director, DEI Strategic Initiatives
ramireh2@MiamiOH.edu

As the Senior Director for DEI Strategic Initiatives, Hiram Ramirez, is focused on collaborating with campus members to enhance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategic initiatives geared at building capacity and culture change. Over the course of his career, Hiram has served as an integral member of each campus community - ranging from large public institutions, historical women’s colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI’s), to private liberal arts colleges - with a creative and enthusiastic spirit. Hiram is passionate about social justice work and engaging campus stakeholders in moving the needle around systemic change. His passion for improving campus climate and building networks began in his early days as a student leader advancing civic engagement at his alma mater. As a scholar, Hiram’s research focuses on Latino men, machismo, masculinity, academic success, queer theory, LatCrit theory, and other intersecting topics in American higher education. When Hiram is not supporting DEI efforts, he is trying to keep up with his four cats with his husband and reading the latest fantasy book.

Tekeia N. Howard

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

Tekeia N. K. Howard is the Director of DEI Programming for the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.  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 DEI program development, cultural transformation and inclusive education in her work. As the Director of DEI Programming she develops and facilitates workshops, training and events to advance DEI 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.

Abbie Proeschel, M.A.

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Communications and Events Coordinator
proescag@miamioh.edu

As the Communications and Events Coordinator for the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, Abbie Proeschel helps drive a holistic communications strategy to keep the university community informed of and engaged in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and events. Abbie received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies from Indiana University East in 2019, and then went on to complete her Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Composition at Ball State, graduating in 2021. Abbie is passionate about social justice work and furthering systemic change for the betterment of the campus community. As a scholar, Abbie’s research focuses on exclusion, belonging, and accessibility within higher education spaces. When she is not working, Abbie enjoys hiking through the National Parks with her husband and reading the latest novel that has caught her interest.

Victoria Mumma

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Administrative Assistant
mummavj@MiamiOH.edu

Victoria (Vicki) Mumma has been with the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion since 2021. A graduate of Wright State University with a degree in Biological Sciences, Vicki has worked at Miami University, in a variety of roles, for 12 years. In her current role, Vicki enjoys putting her organizational and time management skills to work towards moving the efforts of diversity, equity and inclusion forward. In her free time, Vicki enjoys DIY projects, bike riding, gardening, and horses.

Laura Ann Carroll

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Graduate Assistant
oidi@MiamiOH.edu

Laura is pursuing her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance at Miami where she is a student of Dr. Alison Acord.  Laura received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Dayton in 2013 where she studied with Dr. David Sievers. Since that time, she has been teaching choir and voice in the Cincinnati area. She has also had the privilege to study voice with Professor Emeritus Mary Stucky through the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory School. A trained Irish dancer, Laura has been working towards her T.C.R.G. (Irish dance teaching license) and continues to dance and embrace her Irish heritage. In addition to her love for singing, Laura enjoys spending time with her partner Austin and their bulldog Tillie.

Braelyn Bean

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Graduate Assistant
oidi@MiamiOH.edu

Braelyn is pursuing her Master's degree in Sports Leadership and Management with a certificate in Sport Psychology at Miami. Braelyn received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Miami in 2020. Since that time, Braelyn has worked as a mental health tech for Kettering Hospital. Giving back to her sport, Braelyn has enjoyed coaching youth and high school basketball for the AAU program Dayton Lady Hoopstars for 4 years. In her free time, Braelyn enjoys playing sports and spending time with family, friends, and her animals.