Yantis-Houser and Scott | The Wright State Guardian
Wright State University (WSU) welcomes two new intercultural specialists who hold agendas to promote diversity and unity on campus.
Introductions
In a January press release, WSU President Sue Edwards announced two new diversity positions.
Professor and WSU alumna Emily Yantis-Houser is the permanent intercultural specialist for the Office of LGBTQA Affairs. Educator and activist Quatez Scott is the intercultural specialist for the Bolinga Black Cultural Resource Center.
LGBTQA affairs
The Office of LGBTQA Affairs is the resources center for staff, students and allies of the gay and queer community. They provide diversity training, diversity education, advising, scholarships, name and sex maker changing services and oversee LGBTQA groups here on campus.
Yantis-Houser graduated WSU in 2009, then went on to get a master’s in sexuality education and is now pursuing a doctorate in sexuality education from Widener University. She has been heavily involved in LGBTQA advocacy in the Dayton area and on campus.
“I would love to see a united strategic division of inclusive excellence that is addressing the issues of equality and inclusion and justice across the campus. That we are a team of individuals representing our different identities, but being very clear about the intersections of them” said Yantis-Houser.
Bolinga
The Bolinga Black Cultural Resource Center is the community resource center for black and African American students. It is a space where students can go and celebrate their culture, get diversity training and education, financial assistance and overall community assistance.
Quatez Scott (Kwah-Tez) is an educational expert who holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree and is currently working on an education philosophy doctorate at the University of Toledo. Scott also has experience in local diversity leadership and community engagement.
Scott has many goals for this position including rooting out systemic racism within the university and providing resources for students.
“We (the office) provide as many resources for students and for black and African students transition to the university and provide a safe space for Black and African students,” says Scott.
Like Yantis-Houser, Scott wants to do this through education and diversity programs.
“For me being in this position provides spaces for black, African American students who are not a part of that community, to come together and discuss how we see this is an important part.”
If you would like to know more about these centers or are in need of services you can contact the Office of LGBTQA Affairs at 937-775-4611 or the Bolinga Center at 937-775-5645. They also have limited office hours at their Millett Hall offices.
