Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team
Azziza O. (Kemi) Bankole, MBBS
Chief Diversity Officer
540-981-7653
aobankole@vt.edu
Riverside 2 Suite M146
Office Hours: Tuesdays 8am-5pm
Position Responsibilities
The chief diversity officer is responsible programmatic efforts to improve and promote diversity across the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine community. This includes leading the identification and execution of best practices for the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty and students and coordinating activities that support the school’s strategic goals for inclusion and access. The chief diversity officer leads the development and implementation of policies and initiatives that contribute to building a diverse and equitable community that enriches students' education and enhances their ability to participate in a rapidly evolving, multicultural world.
Education and Training
- University of Ibadan College of Medicine, Nigeria, MD
- North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health Systems, Zucker Hillside Hospital-Fellowship
- State University of New York Downstate Medical Center-Residency
- Hull and East Riding NHS Trust-Residency
Additional Positions
- Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
- Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
- Fellowship Director, Geriatric Psychiatry, Carilion Clinic
- Geriatric Psychiatrist, Carilion Clinic Center for Healthy Aging
Nathaniel L. Bishop, DMin
Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
540-581-0372
nlbishop@carilionclinic.org
Riverside 1, Suite 400
Office Hours: weekdays from 8am - 5pm
Position Responsibilities
The Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Student Vitality collaborates with multiple departments at the school to focus on recruiting and retaining diverse students, staff, and faculty while also looking for ways to enhance programs, facilities, and resources to promote vitality for all students. Dr. Bishop works with leaders in admissions, student affairs, faculty affairs, and others to enrich the school’s diversity, supportive learning environment, and student quality-of-life. He also collaborates with VTCSOM’s clinical partner, Carilion Clinic, on programs and matters that bridge Diversity and Inclusion between our institutions.
Education and Training
- Wesley Theological Seminary: DMin
- Virginia Tech: MSEd
- Radford University: BA
- New River Community College: AAS
Additional Positions
- Assistant Professor, Health Systems and Implementation Science, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
- Senior Vice President, Carilion Clinic
- Chief Diversity Officer, Carilion Clinic
As Inclusion Coordinator, Karyna serves as a first point-of-contact for the VTCSOM Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts.
Office Hours: weekdays from 8am - 5pm via phone and email
Position Responsibilities
As Inclusion Coordinator, Ms. Nevarez works collaboratively with the Chief Diversity Officer and colleagues in Admissions, Student Affairs and Research to plan and implement programs and services that promote and strengthen an inclusive environment within the school community. In coordination with the Admissions team, Ms. Nevarez engages in year-round outreach and engagement with prospective students who are underrepresented in medicine. She also works with the school’s identify-focused student organization to design and present workshops and trainings that enhance cultural competence for the school’s students, staff and faculty.
Education and Training
- Virginia Tech: MBA
- Electronic Data Processing College of Puerto Rico: BS
Additional Positions
- Accounting Associate for Division of Student Affairs Finance
Position Responsibilities
As the Student Affairs Manager, Elvir’s role supports various initiatives related to student wellness and wellbeing, as well as coordination of pathways of engagement events for K-12.
Elvir manages the diversity, equity, and inclusion calendar of events, and coordinates with leadership and community partners to develop and create opportunities for student engagement.
As a student advocate and resource, Elvir serves as a member of the VTCSOM Council on Diversity and Inclusion and supports programming of events and actives focused on creating healthy supportive and welcoming environment for all students.
Education and Training
- Radford University, M.S. in Communication
Office Hours: weekdays from 8am-5pm via email, phone, or Zoom
In-person: Tuesdays from 8am-5pm
Position Responsibilities
Vianne Greek is a certified professional in web accessibility (CPWA) through the international association for accessibility professionals (IAAP) and serves as VTCSOM's web and social media manager. She provides support and guidance for all things accessibility, including captions, transcripts, color contrast, meaningful links, etc. and assists with the creation of graphic materials such as event flyers, social media posts, and print media. Ms. Greek serves on the Accessibility Liaison Network and on the Web Accessibility Committee at Virginia Tech.
Education and Training
- National College, MBA
- University of Waikato, Bachelor of Management Studies
- IAAP: Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA)
- IAAP: Certified Web Accesibility Specialist (WAS)
- IAAP: Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Concepts (CPACC)
Carrie F. Knopf, MA, CPACC
Student Affairs Coordinator
Services for Students with Disabilities Liaison to Admissions
540-526-2608
kcarrie1@vt.edu
Riverside 2 M115
Office Hours: weekdays from 8am-5pm via email
Position Responsibilities
The Student Affairs Coordinator serves as VTCSOM’s disability support liaison and provides students with information on possible accommodations, disclosing a disability, and requesting accommodations through by Virginia Tech’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). Once accommodations are determined and approved, the Student Affairs Coordinator works with the student, course directors, and faculty to ensure approved accommodations are implemented. The Student Affairs Coordinator also advocates for disability inclusion within the VTCSOM community and health-care education.
Education and Training
- University of New Orleans, Masters in Arts Administration
- University of Virginia, Bachelor of Arts in Art History
- IAAP: Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Concepts (CPACC)
Office Hours: weekdays from 8am - 5pm
The Admissions Diversity Counselor (ADC) is a position designed to strengthen the outreach and recruitment efforts of the Department of Admissions. The ADC participates in the external recruitment of qualified applicants, including those traditionally underrepresented in medicine (URM). In addition, the ADC will advise potential and current applicants about the medical school application process and resources available at the school for matriculants and will maintain contact with URM applicants who are candidates for interview, have interviewed, and have received acceptance to VTCSOM.
The ADC will maintain working relationships with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and institutions sending URM candidates to medical professional schools. This position will provide support to participants in the Early Identification Program (EIP) during and between summer enrichment activities, including coordinating training and/or mentorship events for EIP participants. In these activities, the ADC will interface with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) personnel from the medical school.
Education and Training
- Full Sail University: MA
- Virginia Commonwealth University: BFA
Angelica Witcher, PhD, MBA
Assistant Dean for Student Vitality
Director, Student Affairs
540-526-2555
angelicaw@vt.edu
Riverside 2 M151
Office Hours: weekdays from 8am - 5pm
Position Responsibilities
As the Assistant Dean for Student Vitality and Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Witcher is responsible for managerial aspects of the student affairs curriculum and programs, and maintains a core role in directing activities related to student organizations and special interest groups, career advising, residency planning, ceremony planning, budget planning, and providing support to the Office of Student Affairs. She is responsible for oversight of the phase I longitudinal diversity education series and mentoring communities while maintaining a cole role in HBSU/HHC collaborations, DEI retention and recruitment, and providing support to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Education and Training
- Virginia Tech: PhD
- Averett University: MBA
- University of Virginia: BSN
Additional Positions
- Assistant Professor, Health Systems and Implementation Science, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
- Co-Advisor, Student National Medical Association