The Office of Equity and Inclusion is located on the second floor of the Drysdale Student Center, in Flynn Multicultural Center. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Office of Equity and Inclusion
1501 Lakeside Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Robert L. Canida II
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.”
Gloria Braxton
Project Coordinator — DOJ/OVW
Cheree Johnson ’23
Administrative Assistant for the College of Health Sciences
Liaison for Staff for an Inclusive Community (SIC)
434.544.8970
holland.c@lynchburg.edu
Cheree Johnson has been part of the Hornet family for nearly 10 years. Before working in the College of Health Sciences, she served as the payroll coordinator for 8 years in the human resources department. She is a member of the African American Affinity Group, COHS DEI Committee, and is one of the advisors for Woman2Woman. Her work has earned her the Lois Daniel and Dawn Cloyd Office/Administrative/Technical Support Staff Recognition Award (2016-17) and the Unsung Hero Award (2017-18).
Amanda McGovern
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 Steve Bright, vice president of 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.
Annette B. Stadtherr
Director of Multicultural Services
434.544.8338
stadtherr@lynchburg.edu
- BSBA, Management — Old Dominion University
As director of multicultural services in Flynn Multicultural Center, Annette Stadtherr is one of the team leaders under the vice president and dean for student development. She ensures multicultural students have a welcoming and successful experience at the University of Lynchburg.
Student Staff
Grant Amoateng
Graduate Assistant for Track and Field
Intern for Man2Man
BA, Social Work — Eastern Mennonite University
Grant Amoateng is a Master of Education student focused on educational leadership with an emphasis in higher education. As a graduate assistant for track and field, he coaches jumping events. At Eastern Mennonite, he was captain of the track and field team and a member of the Black Student Union, Student Government Association, and other campus organizations. He said his goal is to help, support, and provide mentorship to students of color.
Nyccol Benitez Contreras ’23
Student Diversity Liaison
Nyccol Benitez 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 Latino Student Association. 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.
Zuri Greene ’21 MSAT
Graduate Assistant for the Office of Multicultural Services
Graduate Student Advisor for Dimensions of Diversity
Graduate Student Advisor for Affinity Organizations
- BA, Liberal Arts — Neumann University
Zuri Greene is a graduate student in the Master of Science in Athletic Training program. This is her first year working with multicultural services, and she’s thrilled to be a part of the University of Lynchburg family! In her spare time, she enjoys meditation, trying new foods, and shopping. She also loves movies and cooking shows.
Bea Kelly-Russo ’21
Student Diversity Liaison
Bea Kelly Russo, a senior from Fairfax, Virginia, is majoring in philosophy-political science with minors in history, international relations, and psychology. She’s a captain of Lynchburg’s Ethics Bowl team and serves as president of the Westover Executive Board. She is an art studio assistant and likes to sculpt and build things. In her spare time, she rock climbs and plays video games with her housemates. Russo said she’s excited to be a peer-to-peer diversity and inclusion facilitator, on and off campus, and that being an SDL is her way of helping rid the campus of cultural, racial, or gender bias.
Margaret Lamphier-Meier
Graduate Assistant for the Office of Equity and Inclusion
Graduate Student Advisor for the Student Diversity Council
- BA, Business — Sweet Briar College
Margaret Lamphier-Meier is a graduate student in the Master of Nonprofit Leadership program. She loves working with people and is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her skills include diversity presentations and programming. Among her hobbies: crafting, reading, dancing, and being outdoors. Margaret is thrilled to continue her educational and professional journey at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Korrine LeMaire ’21
Newsletter and Marketing Intern for the Office of Equity and Inclusion
Korrine LeMaire is a communication studies major with an emphasis in public relations. She’s also a member of the women’s lacrosse team and an officer for the Public Relations Student Society of America. At OEI, she will create social media posts and work on the office newsletter. She said her goal is to make all students on campus feel welcome and at home. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, going to the beach, cooking, and working out.
Israel Lockamy ’21
Student Diversity Liaison
Israel “Izzy” Lockamy is a criminology major from Wake Forest, North Carolina. One of his career goals is to become a U.S. Marshal or work abroad for the federal government. Lockamy is on the men’s basketball team, president of Man2Man, a member of the Black Student Association, and a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He has been a Student Diversity Liaison since his first year at Lynchburg when he was recruited through the Summer Transition Program.
Claudio Otero III ’20
Graduate Assistant for Inclusive Excellence
Graduate Student Advisor for Man2Man
BS, Biology — University of Lynchburg
Claudio Otero is from Madison Heights, Virginia, but considers Lynchburg his home away from home. An aspiring biology teacher, Otero is pursuing a Master of Education in science education. In his free time, he loves nature walks, taking pictures, and playing basketball.
Andrew S. Thomas ’22
Student Diversity Liaison
- AA, Liberal Arts — New River Community College
Andrew Thomas, a music education major from Blacksburg, Virginia, has traveled extensively — nine countries on three continents so far. He is a transfer student from New River Community College. After graduating from the University of Lynchburg, he plans to teach music lessons and direct a choir while studying at a theological seminary.
