Meet Our People

Our people in the Office for Institutional Diversity and in the units that support OID's mission are dedicated to ensuring all students, staff and faculty know they belong at the University of Kentucky. OID directors and their staff work to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas, from the classroom to the broader Lexington community.

Learn more about the remarkable people who are advancing inclusive excellence at UK and beyond.

Meet the team Office for Institutional Diversity (OID)

Katrice A. Albert (she/her)

Dr. Katrice A. Albert has a distinguished career in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. She currently serves as the Vice President for Institutional Diversity at the University of Kentucky. Prior to that, Dr. Albert served as the executive vice president of inclusion and human resources at The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Previously, Albert served as vice president for equity and diversity of the University of Minnesota system, and before that as vice provost for equity, diversity and community outreach at Louisiana State University (LSU).

She writes, speaks, and consults on the issues of cultural competence and integration, corporate social responsibility, educational and workforce inclusion, gender and dynamics of power, educational access and community-university partnerships.

Albert earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Xavier University of Louisiana, a master’s in counseling psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi and a doctoral degree in counseling psychology from Auburn University. She has repeatedly been recognized nationally for her efforts as an inclusion champion and subject matter expert. She is a highly sought-after scholar-practitioner that frequently writes, speaks, and consults on cultural competence and integration, corporate social responsibility, educational and workforce access and equity, gender and dynamics of power, and community-university partnerships.

Katrice A. Albert is a native of New Roads, Louisiana, in Pointe Coupée Parish.

Man in blue polo smiling for camera — Jason Brooks (he/him)

**Executive Director for Institutional Engagement**

Jason Brooks (he/him) serves as the Executive Director for Institutional Engagement at the University of Kentucky. Jason holds a BM and a MM in Music Performance from Emporia State University. Currently a doctoral student at the University of Kentucky in the Educational Policy & Evaluation Program, Jason has been an active advocate for social justice, equity and inclusion within the state of Kentucky. He also serves as the university's Bias Incident Support Coordinator and Co-Facilitator of the campus wide Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Implementation Plan.

With a passion for educating, he’s facilitated training modules on identity, micro-aggressions, diversity, interfaith, and LGBTQIA+ ally trainings at private and public institutions within the region.

Jason has conducted workshops and seminars on many issues with a focus on enrollment management, inclusion, cultural competencies, institutional and leadership potential. His professional career has been spent managing and developing programs within a higher education setting to combat the problematic enrollment, retention and graduation rates of Black, Latino, and Native American youth. Jason was recently published in the Kansas Association of Teachers Education Journal on the topic of “Enhancing Cultural Competences”.

Email: jason.brooks@uky.edu

Lanita Tokish (she/her)

Executive Assistant for Institutional Diversity

Email: lanita.tokish@uky.edu

Celebrate their stories OID Spotlights

It is a great honor to join the Big Blue Nation. Kentucky has ambitious and audacious diversity, equity and inclusion goals. I am thrilled to be in partnership with the ongoing efforts of creating and enhancing a culture of belonging.

Dr. Katrice A. Albert

UK Vice President for Institutional Diversity

National Leader Named UK Vice President for Institutional Diversity

WUKY 'One On One' With UK Vice President For Institutional Diversity Dr. Katrice Albert

PODCAST 'Behind the Blue': UK’s New Vice President for Institutional Diversity Katrice A. Albert

Diverse Issues in Higher Education Promoting Diversity in Higher Education with Dr. Katrice Albert

Within my role, I feel that I have an obligation as an educator to transcend past the rhetoric of diversity and inclusion but become more of a transformative ally in the promotion of equity and justice.

man helping student at desk in MLK Center

Jason Brooks

Executive Director for Institutional Engagement

man sitting on desk smiling with navy blazer on

UKNow Article Brooks Takes on New Role as Executive Director for Institutional Engagement

Podcast Behind the Blue with Jason Brooks

In this edition of the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast, Brooks talks with UK's Carl Nathe about the work he and his office are doing in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and more.

Meet the Team Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives (CGPDI)

The Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives focuses on recruiting diverse graduate and professional students in UK's six health colleges and retaining diverse graduate and professional students in all nineteen colleges, contributing to an inclusive campus environment where all students can fully engage and succeed. These are the people deeply committed to supporting our students and helping them determine their next steps to lifelong success.

Visit CGPDI's website for more information

Man in blazer with light blue tie — John Blaine (he/him)

**Director of the Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives**

Email: j.blaine@uky.edu

Letitia Tajuba (she/her)

Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment

Letitia Tajuba is joining the Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives as the new Assistant Director for Outreach and Recruitment from the Pennsylvania State University-University Park. Originally from Wichita, Kansas. Tajuba's career spans from National Service, K-12 Education, Residential Education Programming and Leadership to Curriculum Development, to name a few. Her expertise falls within student advocacy, institutional knowledge, and building rapport with students, staff, and faculty. Tajuba's praxis is working with all students to gain a sense of belonging and enjoys helping educate people about the progression and matriculation of Black Students in K-12, Undergrad, and Graduate careers. Tajuba, is passionate for the empowerment of Black Women and Girls in the world of Education.

Before joining CGPDI, Tajuba worked at the Pennsylvania State University-University Park as a Residential Education Specialist. Tajuba has worked at various institutions such as the University of San Francisco, California College of the Arts, and Michigan State University, respectively. Letitia likes to cook, listen to music (Hip Hop/Rap), and explore Lexington as her new home in her free time.

Email: letitia.tajuba@uky.edu

Celebrate Their Stories CGPDI Spotlights

Change is slow. It's incremental, it takes time. But if we have people on the front line, if we have people opening doors for other underrepresented minorities, if we have people who can lead and show the path forward, that's how change becomes permanent.

John Blaine

Director of the Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives

UKNow Article CGPDI Spotlight: John Blaine

DEI is about showing up as authentically as possible to the point where people can feel safe or brave enough to be who they are around you.

Letitia Tajuba

Assistant Director of Outreach and Engagement

UKNow Article CGPDI Spotlight: Letitia Tajuba

meet the team Inclusive Excellence and Diversity Education (IEDE)

Inclusive Excellence and Diversity Education serves the university as a centralized educational unit for expanding diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Their work is rooted in an organized effort to create a campus community invested in exposing, challenging and minimizing the effects of interpersonal and institutionalized discrimination. These are the people who are helping the University of Kentucky grow.

Visit IEDE's website for more information

Brittany Gollihue (she/her)

Program Coordinator

Brittany Gollihue completed her undergraduate studies at Bellarmine University in Louisville and received her Master of Arts from the University Of Kentucky. She is a scholar of philosophy, French language, and Francophone culture. She is also an educator who has taught at U.K. and Eastern Kentucky University. In 2014, the College of Arts & Sciences awarded her its Outstanding Teaching Assistant certificate in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.

Her background in theory, ethics, and cultural studies informs Brittany’s work at IEDE. She provides support for office initiatives ranging from financial reporting to research, evaluation, and recommendations. Her approach to diversity work is collaborative and dynamic. To effect the most positive change one must participate in a unified effort that is ongoing and constantly adapting.

Outside of work, she enjoys collecting and caring for houseplants as well as spending time with her husband and their pet rabbit. She believes in the restorative potential in our connection to nature.

One of her favorite quotes is from the author Antoine de Saint Exupéry in his novel Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince): « Voici mon secret. Il est très simple: on ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. » (Here’s my secret. It’s very simple : one can see well only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eyes).

Email: brittany.gollihue@uky.edu

Rae Loftis (she/her)

Associate Director/Acting Director

Dr. Rae Loftis earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Northern Kentucky University where she co-authored a collaborative dissertation on building feminist sisterhood between Black women and White women. Prior to joining University of Kentucky and the Office for Inclusive Excellence and Diversity Education, Dr. Loftis served in the Center for Student Inclusiveness at Northern Kentucky University. Dr. Loftis earned her M.A. in Higher Education Leadership from Siena Heights University and her B.A. in Theatre from Carthage College.

Dr. Loftis is an educator and scholar practitioner with a background in critical autoethnography. She centers scholarship and practices from Black feminism, antiracism, and queer frameworks in her approach to DEIA work. Dr. Loftis advocates for and advances the interrogation of power and oppression through education and community accountability. She believes in the power of collaboration to transform ourselves and our communities and roots herself and her work in the understanding that we are all responsible for and have stake in advancing equity, justice, and liberation. As the Combahee River Collective admonished us in 1977, “If Black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression.” Dr. Loftis’s approach is always to the advancement of liberation, knowing that our differing and varying oppressions are intrinsically linked and must be challenged as such through collective action and education.

Email: rae.loftis@uky.edu

celebrate their stories IEDE Spotlights

Podcast Behind the Blue with Rae Loftis and Nicole Martin

two students walking down a hallway with large windows

The Lane Report Article The Lane Report with Brittany Gollihue and Nicole Martin

meet the team Martin Luther King Jr. Center (MLK Center)

Since January of 1987, the Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center has provided space, programming and a community for underserved populations at the University of Kentucky. From their humble beginnings in an old utility closet, to being centralized in the Gatton Student Center, the MLK Center remains a pillar on our campus. These are the people who carry on this legacy of service and undeniable care for UK students.

Visit MLK Center's website for more information

Ja'Mahl McDaniel (he/him)

Director

In his role as Director, Ja'Mahl collaborates with the King Center team in creating programs and campus-wide initiatives for the UK community. Ja’Mahl brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to King Center having facilitated dialogues, diversity trainings and possesses a plethora of other skills. As a proud of alum of UK, Ja’Mahl is determined to be an advocate and change agent for students as they pursue their education.

Email: jamahl.mcdaniel@uky.edu

Jasmine Prince (she/her)

Associate Director

Jasmine is a native of Birmingham, Alabama and is a proud alum of the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she earned her bachelors in Psychology. Jasmine also holds a Masters in College Student Affairs from the University of South Florida. Throughout her career in higher education Jasmine has led programs and initiatives centered on student success, diversity education, social justice, student organization development, and leadership development. In her role as Associate Director, she supports the Director with strategic planning, supervises the King Center interns, and leads programs with a variety of campus partners. She is dedicated to helping students find space to thrive as they navigate their collegiate journey.

Email: jasmine.prince@uky.edu

Ruth González Jiménez (she/her)

Latino Community Specialist

Ruth is from Jalisco, México, but grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at UK in History in the College of Arts & Sciences, with a focus in Latin American and African American histories in May, 2017. During her time as a student, she was a founding member the Latino Student Union and a founding sister of UK’s Colony of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Incorporated. Ruth was also actively involved in serving the greater Lexington Latino/immigrant community, and held a position at Lexington’s only bilingual library (Village Branch). Upon graduating, Ruth was hired as the first Latino Student Community Specialist at the University of Kentucky. Through this role, she continues to serve as a resource to students, while advising the Latino Student Union, Collegiate Curls, and Leading Latinas: A Mentorship Program, and initiates programmatic efforts aimed at improving the sense of belonging and retention of Latino students through the seeAzul: Latino Student Programming Series.

Email: ruth.gonzalez@uky.edu

Melody Hall

Administrative Support Associate

Melody is an integral part of the MLK Center. She supports the Director and both professional staff team members as an office manager. Melody has worked for UK for 15 years and earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of Environmental Sciences now the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. Also, She completed the three UK business certifications in 2016. She is located in the Gatton Student Center. Furthermore, one of her greatest achievements was being commissioned to be a Kentucky Colonel in 2016. This is very important to her because making a difference in the community is one of her top priorities. Lastly, she loves working with students and making a difference in their lives.

celebrate their stories MLK Center Spotlights

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is and should be everyone's job, but I am glad that through this role I will be able to help lead the charge towards providing spaces for dialogue, education and opportunities to dive deeper in this work.

man in glasses and blazer laughing outside

Ja'Mahl McDaniel

Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center

UKNow Article Ja’Mahl McDaniel to Lead UK MLK Center

Building Belonging at UK: Ruth González Jiménez

meet the team Office of Community Engagement | Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

The Office of Community Engagement's mission is to support and create community engagement opportunities that meet the economic, health and educational needs of our community.

Visit the Office of Community Engagement's website for more information

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UK offers educational and enrichment courses, forums, shared interest groups, trips, events and more for adults 50 years and older. More than 1,500 adult learners participate annually. The University of Kentucky has been at the forefront nationally in lifelong learning since 1964. The OLLI at UK has sites in Lexington and Morehead.

Visit OLLI's website for more information

Lisa Higgins-Hord (she/her)

Assistant Vice President

Lisa Higgins-Hord (she/her) has held several positions at UK and is currently the Assistant Vice President for Community Engagement at the University of Kentucky. In this role, she develops, implements and assesses significant community based projects that create robust partnerships between the University community (faculty, students and staff) and local, state and regional constituencies. The responsibilities within the University Community Engagement department include the, AmeriCorps VISTA Program and the Office of Lifelong Learning.

Lisa serves as DEI Executive Sponsor for the Community Outreach Workstream.

Lisa is active in many state and local activities. Currently, Lisa serves on the Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Board, Blue Grass Community Foundation Board, Carnegie Center for Literacy Board and the Town Branch Project (Town Branch Partner). She is also a partner of the Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Consortium at the University of Kentucky which provides training, access and opportunities for faculty and their classes regarding community projects.

Lisa was born in Harlan County, Kentucky and raised in Lexington. Lisa continued her education at the University of Kentucky where she received her Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree. Lisa is a graduate of the Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement’s Academy for Leaders at Virginia Tech. She is also a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa, National Honor Leadership Society.

Email: lisa.hh1@uky.edu

Rodney Creager