The Office of Equity and Inclusion is located in the Drysdale Student Center (Flynn Multicultural Center).
434.544.8330
fmc@lynchburg.edu
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.”
Tarah Pyles ’24
Campus Security Officer/Information Officer
Liaison for Staff for an Inclusive Community (SIC)
Tarah Pyles is the liaison for Staff for an Inclusive Community, which promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion among Lynchburg’s staff members through training and development opportunities. She also is the University’s lead security officer and is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in criminology.
Sarah Grace McCormick
Project Coordinator, DOJ/OVW
Graduate Certificate, Addiction and Recovery — University of Florida College of Medicine
EdM, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies — Boston University
BA, Psychology — Hollins University
Project coordinator for the U.S. Department of Justice/Office On Violence Against Women Campus Grant, Sarah Grace McCormick manages grant logistics and deliverables and co-chairs the Coordinated Community Response Team.
Before coming to Lynchburg, she worked on the Rape Recovery Team at the Women’s Center of Jacksonville, Florida, and implemented Green Dot bystander intervention programming at Jacksonville University. She also worked in alumnae relations for her alma mater, Hollins University.
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
Stephanie Brown ’22
Newsletter and Marketing Intern for the Office of Equity and Inclusion
Stephanie is a communications (public relations) major with a minor in music media. This is her first year working in the Office of Equity and Inclusion. She’s excited to help the office create newsletters and develop new marketing techniques, and she wants her classmates to feel at home at Lynchburg and know they have a purpose on campus. In her spare time, Stephanie loves to sing, watch “New Girl,” and play club volleyball at Lynchburg.
Zuri Greene ’21 MSAT
Graduate Assistant for the Office of Multicultural Services
BA, Liberal Arts — Neumann University
Zuri 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 is majoring in philosophy-political science with minors in history, international relations, and psychology. She is president of the Westover Executive Board and captain of the University’s Ethics Bowl team. In addition to being a student diversity liaison, Bea works as an art studio assistant and likes to make sculptures and build things. In her spare time, she rock climbs and plays video games.
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 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.
Israel Lockamy ’21
Student Diversity Liaison
Izzy is a criminology major whose goal is to be a U.S. Marshal or work overseas for the U.S. government. He’s a member of the men’s varsity basketball team; a brother of Sigma Pi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; and participates in Man2Man and the Black Student Association. Izzy has been a student diversity liaison since his first year at Lynchburg and was recruited during the Summer Transition Program.
