Staff Members

Dr. Kyra Shahid

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Dr. Kyra Shahid
Bio

Kyra Shahid, Ph.D. is a visionary JEDI practitioner and educator. She has established groundbreaking social change and healing initiatives in response to racial trauma in higher education and has a wealth of knowledge regarding strategic planning, supporting historically disenfranchised groups, and managing culturally restorative projects.

Dr. Shahid earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Miami University at age 26. In 2018, she published Anti-Black Racism and Epistemic Violence, expanding her dissertation research on culturally-restorative responses to the intersections of race and spirituality in higher education. She also earned a master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Miami University. Dr. Shahid is a Detroit native and proud first generation graduate of Central State University, where she received her B.A. in Broadcast Communication and became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Job Title
Director

Kellyn Mackerl-Cooper

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Kellyn Mackerl-Cooper
Bio

Kellyn serves as the Associate Director at the Trotter Multicultural Center. Previously Kellyn served as an Assistant Director/Area Coordinator, as well as a Hall Director in Residence Education in University Housing at the University of Michigan. Prior to Michigan, she served as an Area Coordinator at Oberlin College and Conservatory. Before working in higher education, Kellyn worked in both corporate and non-profit sectors in corporate communications. She most enjoyed her work with Gift of Life – Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP), working to decrease the number and rate of people in need of organ and tissue transplants through prevention education, and to increase the number of organ and tissue donors in the Greater Detroit multicultural community. Kellyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal and Public Communication from Central Michigan University - Go Fire Up, Chips! She also earned her Master’s degree in Communication Studies from Wayne State University.

Job Title
Associate Director

Charolette Buck

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Charolette's headshot
Bio

Charolette serves as the administrative coordinator. Her background includes a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from Concordia University. After a bachelor's degree, Charolette obtained a certificate in English and speech in grades 6-12. She has been in education for 20-plus years. Charolette taught middle and high school English. Charolette also has a master's degree in literacy and learning in the content areas. Realizing that educational leadership is her passion, Charolette obtained a certificate in education administration. Charolette's dedication, determination, and enthusiasm along with her talents, contribute to the mission and vision of the Trotter Multicultural Center.  

Job Title
Administrative Coordinator

James Kearney

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Bio
James, who serves as the Community & Innovation Program Manager for Trotter Multicultural Center, is a Missouri native and first-generation college student with four degrees to his name, including two from Missouri Western State University and one each from Arkansas State University and University of Dayton. He has served in various roles at Arkansas State University, University of Dayton, and Bowling Green State University, including overseeing diversity initiatives and working with underrepresented populations in the residence halls. James enjoys mentoring and guiding students how he wishes he had when he was in their shoes.
 
Job Title
Community & Innovation Program Manager

Evelyn Metric

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Evelyn's headshot
Bio

Evelyn is the Communications Specialist for the Trotter Multicultural Center. She earned a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University and has worked at the University of Michigan for over three years serving in communications roles. She leans into the power of storytelling and uses these stories to further Trotter Multicultural Center's mission and vision. Her work aims to amplify the voices of historically marginalized students and cultivate a community for these students on Michigan's campus. 

Job Title
Communication Specialist

Adrian T. Parker

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Adrian's headshot
Bio

Adrian serves as the Senior Manager for Hope, Healing, and Heritage in the Trotter Multicultural Center.  He is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Educational Leadership at Miami University. His research and praxis draws on Black critical theories, organizational theory, and theories of racial healing and reconciliation to advance research on institutionalizing healing in higher education. 

Previously, he served as the Special Assistant to the Stained Glass Initiative (SGI) at Xavier University. SGI being the umbrella for all projects, research, and hires related to Xavier reconciling their historical connections to slavery. Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, he received an Hon.B.A. from Xavier University in Philosophy, Politica, and the Public and a minor in Theology. He earned an M.Ed. from Miami University in Transformative Education. 

Job Title
Senior Manager for Hope, Healing, & Heritage

Charles Simonson

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Charles' Headshot
Bio

Charles serves as the Operations and Engagement Manager for Trotter Multicultural Center. Charles is a New Jersey native and proud first-generation graduate of Montclair State University, where he earned both a B.A. in Theatre Studies and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. In his recent position, he served as an admissions counselor for Rutgers University. Charles is committed to assisting students in gaining self-awareness, confidence, and the ability to improve their professional and personal development. 

Job Title
Operations and Engagement Manager

Student Staff

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trotter M logo
Bio

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.