About Us
Radha is the Director of HSU's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, where she works on a range of policy issues that affect our campus community. Radha's past work and research endeavors revolved around the politics of human rights and identity, and particularly focused on these topics as they arise in countries emerging from civil war and going through the process of post-conflict reconstruction and recovery. Her work has taken her across the globe, from Australia to Rwanda to Sierra Leone, and she brings to her work at HSU a passion for social justice and organizational change within a global community context. Radha is trained as a political scientist, with a M.A./M.Phil in Political Science (ABD) from Columbia University and a B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies from UC Berkeley. In addition to her work in the Diversity & Inclusion office, Radha also teaches courses in HSU's Politics Department and International Studies Program. When not working, Radha enjoys exploring the outdoor bounty of Humboldt County and surrounding areas, from adventures in the alpine wilderness to quiet walks through redwood groves and rocky beaches. |
Melissa Meiris Melissa came to Humboldt State University from San Francisco, where she lived and worked for 14 years. Melissa holds an M.A. in Education–Equity and Social Justice and a B.A. in English–Creative Writing, both from San Francisco State University. In her most recent role as Director of Education at Headlands Institute, Melissa oversaw four environmental education and youth-development programs, led more than 30 staff, managed program evaluation, and spearheaded diversity trainings and initiatives across the organization. In addition to designing and facilitating workshops and presentations on diversity and multicultural pedagogy at regional and national conferences, Melissa has worked as an educator, program coordinator, program evaluator, curriculum developer, and grant writer with Save The Bay in Oakland, and with Crissy Field Center, Literacy for Environmental Justice, and the Sierra Club in San Francisco. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys surfing, biking, traveling, gardening, cooking, taking photos, and hiking with her dogs. |
Steven is the Administrative Support Assistant for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Before coming to Humboldt, Steven had a unique work history which involved working with an array of diverse populations differing in age, ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and others. He is passionate about addressing the achievement gaps of urban youth in general and African-American males in particular. Once a former scholarship athlete at Howard University, Washington D.C., where he played football, Steven transferred and finished his undergraduate degree in Africana Studies from Bowling State University in Ohio – his home state. Inside of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, he is responsible for the coordination, marketing, and funding of grants awarded through the office as well as general administrative support. Outside of the office, his passion in working with marginalized communities in Humboldt County is a driving force in his volunteer work with several non-profit agencies such as St. Vincent De Paul’s, Eureka Rescue Mission and Teen Challenge. Steven enjoys weight training, reading, and watching both college and professional football. As a proud husband and father, he also enjoys weekend getaways with his family. |
Jennifer Eichstedt Jennifer is the current HSU Bias Response Coordinator. She has been working with students, staff and faculty to develop this system over the last three years, and has been an active participant in social justice work on HSU's campus for 13 years. She serves as a Professor in the Sociology Department and also collaborates in Conflict Resolution activities. Her passions grow out of being a working class white woman within a multi-racial family. She is an artist, dog trainer, and avid reader; and understands the importance of telling one’s story and working towards resolution. Come talk with her or have her come to your University unit to lead a workshop or discussion on bias response!
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Steven Bell