Racial Justice Impact Fund: Coordinating Committee

Community members interested in learning more about the Racial Justice Impact Fund are welcome to contact any of the coordinating committee members below.

• Lisa Armstrong, M.S.S. '16, M.P.H. '19, Assistant Director, Volunteer Programs, Career & Civic Engagement Center 
• Keyla Benitez '24
• ViAnna Bernard '10, M.S.S. '12, Assistant Dean for Residential LIfe, Residential Life
• Vanessa Christman, Assistant Dean for Access and Community Development, Pensby Center, 21 years of service at BMC
• Miles DeClue '22
• Ellie Esmond, Director of Service and Leadership Programs, Career & Civic Engagement Center, 21 years of service at BMC
• Shana Fountain, Service Supervisor, New Dorm Dining Hall, Dining Services, 30 years of service at BMC
• Kaila Hamdani, Assistant Director of Admissions, Coordinator for Access and Equity, Admissions, 4 years of service at BMC
• Jessica Hollinger '08, Associate Director of Experiential Education, Career & Civic Engagement Center
• Tonja Nixon '15, Assistant Dean of the Undergraduate College, Dean's Office
• Andreanna Papatheodorou '22
• Lucie Powers '24
• Tori Reese, Graduate Student, Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research
• Lillian Sevilla '11, Gift Planning Associate, Alumnae/i Relations and Development
• Bobbie Villaloboz '22
• Doanh Wang, Lecturer and Head Tennis Coach, Athletics and Physical Education, 6 years of service at BMC

Lisa Armstrong, ljarmstron@brynmawr.edu

Hello! My name is Lisa Armstrong, and I am an able-bodied, Black, cis, heterosexual woman, who grew up in poverty, but am privileged by my education. I am the Assistant Director of Volunteer Programs in the Career & Civic Engagement Center. I became a staff member in September 2018. However, I first became familiar with what was formerly known as the LILAC | Civic Engagement programs in 2016 as the graduate Student Coordinator for the Community-Based Work-Study Program.   

I am passionate about partnerships that address the structural and cultural systems of oppression that create barriers of injustice for way too many of our communities. I serve as a committee member for FGLI and am actively engaged with CARLA.  Also, I am a THRIVE facilitator.  

I have a Master of Social Services and a Master of Public Health dual degree from the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research and Thomas Jefferson University. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in psychology. 

Keyla Benitez, kbenitez@brynmawr.edu

Hi y'all, my name is Keyla Benitez, and I am in the Class of 2024. I identify as a first generation Mexican-American, and I use she/her pronouns. I am currently planning on double majoring in international studies and environmental studies and minoring in Spanish. I’m from Houston, Texas, and I’m studying on campus. I’m the public relations and outreach manager for Mawrters for Immigrant Justice, Brecon’s first-year representative, and the new special events coordinator for Mujeres*. I am also a member of Adopt-A-Grandparent, Owl Ambassadors, and Fem-Co. I am thrilled to be on this committee, and I hope to make Bryn Mawr a welcoming home for all!

ViAnna Bernard, vbernard@brynmawr.edu

Assistant Dean for Residential Life ViAnna Bernard supports students in building connections and community throughout their time at Bryn Mawr. Through her work with students around navigating the housing process, roommate relationships, and other interpersonal and residential experiences, she has the privilege of walking with students as they establish their place and purpose in our ever-changing and diverse community. As part of this mission, ViAnna works closely with the Dorm Leadership Team, which is comprised of students trained to support and guide fellow students through the triumphs and challenges of college life at Bryn Mawr. ViAnna has been with the College for nine years.

Currently, ViAnna also serves as a Facilitator for a THRIVE class, which provides an opportunity for her to connect with first year students on a deeper level and help them both adjust to the beautiful quirks of BMC and take in the many opportunities our campus has to offer.

ViAnna is an alum of Bryn Mawr College—two times over! She graduated from the undergraduate program with a degree in psychology in 2010 and immediately entered the Masters in Social Service program at the Graduate School for Social Work and Social Research. While completing her graduate degree, she worked part time as a graduate assistant in the Residential Life Office at BMC. She then graduated with her M.S.S. in 2012 and found herself working full time in the Residential Life Office just a couple of months later! And the rest is history, as they say.

Vanessa Christman, vchristm@brynmawr.edu

Assistant Dean for Access and Community Development Vanessa Christman is dedicated to improving campus climate and building community at Bryn Mawr. As someone who holds multiple majority identities, Vanessa brings both humility and deep commitment to her work. Vanessa has been with the College for 21 years.

Vanessa's most recent work supports the telling of Bryn Mawr’s histories through the Perry House Oral History Project, the Pensby Fellowship, and the Black at Bryn Mawr program. Vanessa also serves as Posse liaison, administrative coordinator of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, and convener of the First Generation/Low Income program steering committee.  
 
During her time at Bryn Mawr, Vanessa has led or participated in the Tri-College Identity, Equity and Social Justice Institute, the Social Justice Partnership Program, and StoryCORE. She has worked with the community diversity assistants and the Alliance of Multicultural Organizations. For several years she co-facilitated the Leadership Empowerment and Advancement Program and was a THRIVE facilitator.

Miles DeClue '22, mdeclue@brynmawr.edu

Ellie Esmond, eesmond@brynmawr.edu

Director of Service and Leadership Programs Ellie Esmond (she/her) works in the Career & Civic Engagement Center. In that role Ellie supports students and community partners in co-curricular direct service, activism, and advocacy projects. She is also passionate about registering and supporting student voters. Ellie has been with the College for 21 years.

Originally from Virginia, Ellie attended James Madison University and Rutgers University. Ellie began her work at BMC in 2000 and during her 20 years as a staff member she has been an active member and representative in the Staff Association, served as a faculty member with the Tri-Co Identity, Equity, and Social Justice Institute, assisted in the creation and facilitation of LEAP—Leadership, Empowerment, and Advancement Program, and helps to coordinate the Summer of Service Program...among other things!

Ellie is a cis-gender, able-bodied, white woman. She is a lifelong Girl Scout, loves cats, and currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, son, and two cats. Ellie enjoys reading, trying new restaurants, attempting to knit, and, this year, attempting to eat ice cream in every county in the state of New Jersey. 

Shana Fountain, sfountai@brynmawr.edu

My name is Shana Fountain, I have been working for BMCDS since 1991, in which I held many different positions including my current one as shift supervisor at New Dorm. In addition I received my culinary arts degree from The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. I have four children and I’m a proud grandmother of four. I am a social butterfly, I love helping people, I really enjoy engaging with the students and learning new things as well as being a mentor to many students. I love the Bryn Mawr College Community.
 

Kaila Hamdani, khamdani@brynmawr.edu

Assistant Director and Coordinator for Access and Equity in the Office of Admissions Kaila Hamdani's primary goal has been to assist high school students with the college admissions process and help them decide if Bryn Mawr is the right fit. In her role, initiatives for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds have been her focus and she oversees the offices programming for these groups. Kaila has been with the College for four years.

Providing an equitable space for Bryn Mawr’s students on campus is of upmost importance. Kaila serves on the committee for First Generation Low Income (FGLI) Programming, Posse Advisory Council and has served as a THRIVE Facilitator.

Kaila is a graduate of West Chester University where she earned her bachelor's in elementary education and master's in higher education counseling/student affairs.

Jessica Hollinger '08, jholling@brynmawr.edu

Associate Director of Experiential Education Jess Hollinger (she/her) works in the Career & Civic Engagement Center. In her position, Jess oversees a wide range of intensives programs. Intensives provide students with support, expertise, and hands-on experiences as they explore their professional interests and emerging professional identities. Jess also has the opportunity to work with students who are eager to develop their leadership skills through the Leadership Learning Laboratory and LEAP campus programs.

Jess began her work at Bryn Mawr working with the Teaching and Learning Initiative, which was a program that had its roots in social justice work and the shared understanding that everyone has something to teach and everyone has something to learn. Jess has also worked with the Tri-Co Identity, Equity and Social Justice Institute.

Jess is a Bryn Mawr College alumna with a degree in English (and minors in Africana Studies, Education, and French). She identifies as a bi-racial, cis-gender woman and lives in the King of Prussia area with her son.

Tonja Nixon '15, tnixon@brynmawr.edu

Hi! My name is Tonja Nixon and I use she/her and they/them pronouns. I am a GOLD alum (2015) and I work in the Dean’s Office as an assistant dean and the Athletics Department as an assistant coach for track and field. I identify as a queer Black Afro Latina woman with Quaker values centered in universal equity, inclusion and anti-racism. I love to educate/be educated, coach, but above all, I love to be helpful!

Andreanna  Papatheodorou '22, apapatheod@brynmawr.edu

Lucie Powers '24, lpowers@brynmawr.edu

Hi! My name is Lucie Powers, and I use she/her or they/them pronouns. While my family is largely from overseas, I currently live “nearby” in Rockville, Md. I’m also a first year (2024) here at Bryn Mawr College with an undecided major. On campus, I am involved in Fem-Co, Owl Ambassadors, Mawrters for Immigrant Justice, and Rainbow Alliance. I identify as a Belgian-American, queer woman, and I’m passionate about helping to create a more just, equitable, and anti-racist environment here at BMC and beyond. I am excited and so honored to be a part of the important work being done by the RJIF Committee!

Tori Reese, M.S.S. '22 cadidate, treese@brynmawr.edu

I am a part-time graduate student with 14 years of experience within the field of social services.  Although I have a passion for career development, I am committed to serving others beyond the communities within workforce development.

Accepting the invitation to join the Racial Justice Impact Fund Committee presents an exciting opportunity to do meaningful work within the Bryn Mawr Community. I am excited about having the opportunity to lend my voice within the collaborative efforts to establish a foundation to institute a racial justice fund at Bryn Mawr College. I aim to demonstrate the importance of doing meaningful work with this committee through my work ethics, dedication, and leadership skills.

My other interests are mentoring youth and young adults, coaching, and building meaningful relationships within the communities that I serve and live.  I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and the simplicity of life.

Lillian Sevilla, ldsevilla@brynmawr.edu

Lillian Sevilla ‘11 (she/her), is a member of Bryn Mawr’s alumnae/i relations and development team. She joined the College professionally in 2018 after nine years of working in community non-profit organizations in Philly and NYC.

It was actually during her time as an undergraduate when Lillian found her first job in a nonprofit with the help of the Career & Civic Engagement Center. They connected her to a work study program off-campus with an organization that offered free tax help for Philadelphians. Lillian feels honored that her work and experience supports new generations of Mawrters on their paths for education and self-actualization.

Lillian is an able-bodied, white-presenting, mixed race Latina and Jewish cis-woman. She is also gender non-conforming and a queer lesbian. Lillian lives with depression and anxiety. Most importantly, she is the proud daughter of a single-mother who immigrated to the U.S. more than 30 years ago from Costa Rica.

To relax, Lillian enjoys updating her rescue cat’s Instagram profile, reading graphic novels, playing board and video games, and watching movies with her spouse.

Bobbie Villaloboz '22, bvillalobo@brynmawr.edu

I’m a junior (2022) here at Bryn Mawr College. I’m a sociology major and psychology minor from Houston, Texas. I use he/they pronouns. I’m currently active in Mujeres* (three years), Community Board (one year), ZAMI+ (three years) here on campus. I currently work as a phonathon caller here at Bryn Mawr. Outside of campus, I’ve done work with local food drives and spent time helping the Philadelphia Furniture Bank. I’m a first-generation college student who identifies as Latinx, and I hope to bring my perspective into this environment and bring about meaningful change alongside the other members of this committee.

Doanh Wang, dwang2@brynmawr.edu

I am the head tennis coach and senior lecturer with the Department of Athletics and Physical Education. The 2020-21 academic year marks my sixth year at Bryn Mawr College. I serve as a committee member for FGLI, a committee member for CARLA, and am a first-gen immigrant and college student.

I am an ethnic Chinese born in Vietnam. My family and I left Vietnam in 1978; I consider our journey as part of the wave of boat people who fled Vietnam post 1975. I identify as a former refugee, first-gen immigrant, first-gen college student, and a member of the Asian American, and greater BIPOC community.

I have, what I consider, an eclectic taste in music from classical piano to jam bands, from bluegrass to EDM. My favorite food is, by far, the most unhealthy, ice cream!