Meet Our Staff Members

Kyra Shahid, Ph.D. (she/her), affectionately known as Dr. Kyra, is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the Trotter Multicultural Center and ensuring that our efforts advance the mission of the Center. She is passionate about helping students build community, develop healing-centered engagement, and find ways to thrive on campus and beyond.

Kellyn Mackerl-Cooper, Ph.D. (she/her) serves as the Associate Director for Trotter Multicultural Center. She is responsible for the supervision of three professional staff members, training and development for student and professional staff, and assessment/evaluation for Trotter Multicultural Center. 

Charolette Buck is the Administrative Coordinator.  She is responsible for a variety of tasks that ensure that the Trotter Multicultural Center (TMC) runs smoothly and efficiently.  Her duties include the following:  

• Helping plan events
• Managing the general operations of the Center
• Providing administrative support to staff
• Executing community-building programs
• Collaborating with campus partners
• Managing unit leadership’s calendars
• Making reservations and travel arrangements for staff
• Reconciling the budget

Amber serves as the Building and Event Services Manager. Her primary responsibilities include managing reservations, ensuring the building is safe, accessible, and welcoming for all visitors, and coordinating building use and upkeep. Amber also manages the Student Organization Lockers and oversees the bulletin board for community postings.

Folks should contact Amber for building reservations, event logistics, or questions about student organization locker assignments and posting on the bulletin board.

My name is James Kearney and I serve as the Community and Innovation Program Manager.

The function of my role is to design, facilitate, and execute programming for the Center. You should reach out to me if you have any questions regarding:

• How to Flourish workshops 
• Trotter Distinguished Leadership Series (TDLS)
• Bringing in speakers
• The Student Ambassador Collective 
• The TDLS Advisory Board 
• Partnership programming 
• Student Staff positions
• Requesting Trotter tabling prescence at your events 
• Workshops you want to provide to your unit or student organizations 

Evelyn Metric is the Communications Specialist at Trotter Multicultural Center. She is responsible for all marketing and communications efforts for the Center. Please reach out to Evelyn for assistance with:

• The Trotter website
• Newsletter
• Blog
• Social media
• Storytelling collaborations

Adrian T. Parker, Ph.D. (he/him) is the Senior Manager for Hope, Healing, & Heritage in Trotter. In his role he is responsible for overseeing programming, cultivating the Center's learning agenda, and alumni engagement. You should contact Dr. Parker for: 

• TMC Programming
• Retreats & Conferences
• TMC Council of Elders (alumni engagement)

My name is Charles Simonson and I serve as the Student Experience Manager.

The function of my role is to:

• Provide safety and security during the evening and night shifts.
• Create positive lived experiences for students and guests visiting Trotter.
• Train and support the front desk staff.  
• Students and Guests should reach out to me for F.A.M Friday collaborations, safety and security issues, and additional feedback to help create a highly engaged community. 

The Trotter Multicultural Center has a diverse staff of over 30 graduate and undergraduate students from a variety of academic programs and majors across campus. Student staff serve in roles including Programming Assistants, Building Managers, and Graduate Assistants. Our student staff make the Trotter Multicultural Center feel like a home away from home, and are always happy to answer questions, support with events, and develop and host programs.