The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) is located on the second floor of the Drysdale Student Center, in Flynn Multicultural Center.
Office of Equity and Inclusion
1501 Lakeside Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Robert L. Canida II, PhD
Vice President for Inclusive Excellence
434.544.8540
canida_rl@lynchburg.edu
- PhD, Leadership Studies — North Carolina A&T State University
- MSLS, Library Science — University of Kentucky
- BA, Political Science — Xavier University
Before coming to the University of Lynchburg, Dr. Robert L. Canida II spent two decades serving the University of North Carolina System’s most diverse campus, UNC-Pembroke, through multicultural programs, student dialogues, and activities. The former director of diversity and inclusion at UNC-Pembroke, he is well-published and a frequent speaker at conferences, including the Southern Association for College Student Affairs and the Black Doctoral Network Conference. He also has extensive teaching and advising experience. In 2017, Canida received the Erskine B. Bowles Staff Service Award, given annually to a UNC-Pembroke staff member for showing “exemplary understanding, empathy, and devotion to mankind.”
Amanda McGovern, JD
Title IX Coordinator/Compliance Officer
434.544.8482
titleix@lynchburg.edu
- JD — University of Virginia School of Law
- BA, Political Science — Virginia Tech
As Lynchburg’s Title IX coordinator, Amanda McGovern manages the University’s compliance with Title IX and the Violence Against Women Act and reports to the vice president for business and finance. She also manages related state and federal laws and regulations, including investigating and adjudicating cases and implementing prevention education and training programs.
Jennifer Reichard
Administrative Assistant
434.544.8822
reichard_jm@lynchburg.edu
Jennifer Reichard has over 25 years of experience in higher education at three different universities. Before coming to the University of Lynchburg, she worked as a secretary in the international student and scholar services office at the State University of New York. There, she helped students from all over the world with the admissions process and when they arrived on campus. Reichard is glad to be a part of the University of Lynchburg community and looks forward to working with you. Her top priority is seeing students be successful and enjoy their University experience.
Annette B. Stadtherr
Director of Multicultural Services
434.544.8338
stadtherr@lynchburg.edu
- BSBA, Management — Old Dominion University
Annette Stadtherr is one of the team leaders under the vice president for student development. She is a certified diversity, equity, and inclusion professional who has been at the University for more than 30 years. Stadtherr’s role is multifaceted in that she serves students as an advisor to several affinity groups and also ensures that parents and families are educational partners in the success of their students.
Nyccol Contreras ’23Student Diversity Liaison
Nyccol Contreras was born in Honduras, Central America, but is currently a resident of Sterling, Virginia. She is majoring in criminology with a minor in criminal forensics. Contreras is part of the executive board of the Hispanic Student Society and is the current president of the Student Diversity Council. Her first year at Lynchburg, she lived in the Dimensions of Diversity residential learning community. In her spare time, she paints, draws, and plays guitar. As a Student Diversity Liaison, Contreras said she is excited to be part of a positive change.
Shadaya Cooper ’22
Student Diversity Liaison
Shadaya Cooper is from Winchester, Virginia, and is majoring in nursing with minors in psychology and communication and social influence. She holds multiple leadership roles on campus including being a Connections Leader coordinator and president of Alpha Psi Lambda co-ed Latino fraternity. In her free time, Cooper enjoys spending time with her fiancé Max.
Elijah Harrison ’23
Graduate Assistant for the Bonner Leader Program
Project Associate for the Office of Equity Inclusion
BS, Psychology — Randolph College
Elijah Harrison was born in El Paso, Texas, and grew up the majority of his childhood overseas in Kuwait. In Kuwait, Elijah was exposed to a plethora of cultures, establishing a culturally aware mindset early on. When Elijah and his family moved back to the United States in 2010, they moved around frequently, only to be exposed to a diversity of American cultures, fostering his ability to adapt and maintain cultural competency. Currently, Elijah is pursuing his Master of Business Administration and hopes to use this degree along with his Psychology background to enhance cultures across organizations and university settings. In his free time, Elijah loves to play disc golf, run, work out, and go on hikes.
Isaiah Hudson ’24
Student Diversity Liaison
Isaiah Hudson, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, recently moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. Izzy, as he likes to be called, is a sport management major minoring in communication and social influence. Besides working as a SDL, he is also a grill cook in the Westover Room. Izzy is a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and plays intramural sports.
Emmanuel Hernandez Mellado ’23
Student Diversity Liaison
Emmanuel Hernandez Mellado came to the University from Winston Salem, North Carolina, and is majoring in political science with a minor in history. As a first generation college student, Hernandez Mellado participated in the Summer Transition Program and lived in the Dimensions of Diversity residential learning community. He is a member of the Student Government Association Senate, a Connections Leader, and a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. Hernandez Mellado represented the University of Lynchburg at the University of South Carolina’s Student Leadership and Diversity Conference in February 2020 which sparked his interest in being a SDL.
Adrieanna Vest-Turner ’22 MPH
Graduate Assistant for the Office of Multicultural Services
Graduate Student Advisor for Dimensions of Diversity
Graduate Student Advisor for Affinity Organizations
BS, Health Sciences — Mary Baldwin University
Adrieanna Vest-Turner is a graduate student in the Master of Public Health program. Although this is her first year working with multicultural services, she is excited to share her knowledge of cultural enrichment and community involvement. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, attending concerts, and painting. She also loves to spend time with her family and friends, and looks forward to the start of this new academic year.
