Earlier this academic year, MyKella Mitchell was hired as the Director of Student Inclusion and Diversity. Along with this, Mitchell took oversight of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Center and the student organizations that fall beneath it. These organizations include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), the Asian Student Association (ASA), the Black Student Union (BSU), Coalition for Chronic Illness (CCI), and many others listed as J.E.D.I. Student Organizations.

Beyond the acronym, Mitchell envisioned J.E.D.I. as a catch-all. She describes it as a  hub in which students can feel comfortable in themselves, in their community, and teach others how best to act in kindness and inclusivity. She intends to create this by supporting students left without a director, working with people across campus to grow ideas and support all students, and being a figurehead to help kickstart conversations about how inclusivity can be improved on campus. In her time here so far, she has achieved this by hosting heritage month celebrations poised to welcome every part of a community, such as events during Hispanic Heritage Month focused on the connection between Latinx identities and the African diaspora. She is also working to amplify preexisting events that are inclusive and attempt to restore groups on campus for those of every identity.

Despite being a fearless pioneer for inclusion on campus, Mitchell also describes her job as a work in progress, a mere foundation upon which she hopes to build something beautiful. And although Southwestern has largely done a good job of being inclusive, she says there is always room for growth. Her job, among supporting J.E.D.I. organizations, maintaining physical space reflective of the Southwestern community, reminding others to work towards inclusion, redefining support on campus, and creating a cohesive community of interwoven branches is also to plant the seeds of growth.

Mitchell’s vision for the Southwestern campus and community is not one that can be completed alone. She highly encourages students to get involved and form connections with other students – and with her. The door to her office in Wilhelmina Cullen is always open to students with ideas, organizations, or who just want to chat. She is also available by email at mitchell2@southwestern.edu. Besides connecting with MyKella and participating in student-led J.E.D.I. organizations, you can also support the vision of J.E.D.I. by attending the upcoming student drag show April 30th.