Committee Members

Dr. Joseph L. Jefferson, Chair

Preferred Pronouns : He/Him/His
Department : Music
Where from : Jarratt, VA
Nationality : African American
Length of time serving : Founding Member, since 2018
Statement : “As a minority teaching in higher education, I feel that it is critical to be visible and vocal for those who feel unheard. This committee affords me the opportunity to do just that by advocating for underrepresented and marginalized groups of people.”  

Dr. Tamara Zellars Buck

Preferred Pronouns : She/Her/Hers
Department : Mass Media
Where from : Charleston, MO
Nationality : African American
Length of time serving : Founding Member, since 2018
Statement :  “I have watched black students, faculty and professional staff leave this university at alarming rates, and those who remain have no one to look to for mentorship or advice. I want to use my voice to increase visibility of minorities by providing support that makes them feel they are seen, heard, and safe on this campus. Further, I want to ingrain representation and inclusion of diverse groups in our curriculum, campus culture, and this community. It’s important to me that I use my experiences, skills, and vision to lead and be a resource who can encourage, educate and enable others to pursue academic and career goals above and beyond any obstacles they may encounter.”  

Josh Harvey

Preferred Pronouns : He/Him/His
Department : Conservatory of Theatre and Dance
Where from : Lexington, VA
Nationality : White American
Length of time serving : Founding Member, since 2018
Statement: " I believe in the fundamental dignity of all human persons. I believe it is our moral imperative as humans, and particularly as storytellers, to have an empathic understanding of the human condition faced by all people. I believe it is too simple to throw about current anti-racist language and jargon, but when it is used it should be about self-reflection and societal and personal human transformation. I believe that bringing these understandings of self and the world serve the conversations that students must be allowed to have in order to change the arts and the world."   

 Hankyu Lee

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His
Departments: Conservatory of Theatre and Dance
Where from: Seoul, South Korea
Nationality: Asian
Length of time serving: Since Fall 2021
Statement: I believe that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. It is very important to cultivate a college environment that is inclusive and respectful and which encourages creativity and appreciation of difference.

Benjie Heu

Preferred Pronouns : He/Him/His
Department : Department of Art and Design
Where from : All over. Panama, Hawaii, Alabama, Massachusetts, Ohio, Mississippi, California, and now Southeast Missouri!
Nationality : Biracial: Asian and White 
Length of time serving : Since 2018
Statement : “We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community—and this nation.” – Cesar Chavez  

Roxanne Wellington

Preferred Pronouns : She/Her/Hers
Department : Conservatory of Theatre and Dance
Where from : Metro Detroit Area
Nationality : White American
Length of time serving : Since Spring 2020
Statement : I hope to use my visibility and voice to support students, faculty and staff to celebrate their diversity, and to help amplify the voices of marginalized members of our Southeast community. My goal as a theatre educator has always been to educate myself as well as my students to be aware when all voices are not being heard, and to notice when there isn’t a space for everyone to be included - to find ways to create them. I’m excited and proud to be serving on a committee that is devoted to recognizing and respecting what makes us unique. I want to do my part to ensure that Southeast is a place where individuals are valued and treated equitably, and a place that allows everyone to contribute, thrive and celebrate together.  

   Cameron Cai

Preferred Pronouns : He/Him
Departments: BFA Musical Theatre
Where from: St. Louis, Missouri
Nationality: Chinese-American
Length of time serving: Since Fall 2021!
Statement: I hope to serve as an effective liaison between faculty and students to ensure the students of color have their voices amplified. As a theater artist, I hope to learn more about the human condition so that I may better represent it in the arts. I hope to explore the perspectives of students and faculty of color and see what ways those can be transformed and applied to the way things are run here at SEMO.

Dr. Sophia Han

Preferred Pronouns : She/Her/Herself
Departments: Music
Where from: Wuhan, China
Nationality: Chinese-American
Length of time serving: Since Spring 2020
Statement: “I want to use my visibility to provide our students, staff, and faculty of color the opportunity to be seen. I want to use my voice to help raise the voices of those who are unheard. My students inspire me to continue to defend and protect their equality on this campus regardless of their ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic background. This is why I am here.”

 Ashleigh Green
Preferred Pronoun: She/Her
Department: Music
Where From: Saint Charles, MO
Nationality: White American
Length of Time Serving: Fall 2021
Statement: I hope to encourage others to celebrate their differences and treat everyone with respect. Doing so would allow us to create a more inclusive community that welcomes everyone