Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI)
North Foundation Hall, Room 104
318 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester,
MI
48309
(location map)
(248) 370-4404
cmi@oakland.edu
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m
Wednesdays with extended hours: 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Staff
 | Omar Brown-El is the Senior Director of the Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI). His work focuses on designing, implementing and evaluating university-wide student recruitment and retention support programs and services to specifically support the university's mission and goal of achieving and graduating a diverse student body. Mr. Brown-El also concentrates on advocating for systematic change within the institution and on building internal and external relationships with faculty, staff and the OU community to help all students, but particularly underrepresented students, succeed. Omar provides leadership and training to promote diversity throughout all aspects of the university. He also administers departmental programming and student employee's budgets, and provides direct training and supervision to graduate interns and to para-professional staff. Email: brownel@oakland.edu |
 | Nicole Lucio is the Assistant Director for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives. Her work focuses on designing, implementing and evaluating university-wide student support programs and services designed to increase retention and graduation rates of underrepresented students. She administers departmental programming and budgets as well as trains and supervises graduate interns and para-professional staff. Ms. Lucio conducts diversity training, oversees the programming for Hispanic Heritage Month and facilitates The Circle of Sisterhood. Ms. Lucio is a member of the American Counseling Association and NASPA. Email: ndlucio@oakland.edu |
 | Christopher Hunter is a CORE Program Coordinator for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives. As the CORE Program Coordinator, he oversees: The CORE Program, which includes the Summer Bridge Initiative, which is a week-long residential academic enrichment program for incoming first year students; The Circle of Brotherhood, which is an all male peer mentoring group that meets weekly aimed at assisting young men in reaching their full potential; The CORE Ambassadors, which provides support to students beyond their first year. A native of Detroit, MI, Mr. Hunter has an extensive background in student development, community relations, and organizational leadership with institutions such as Federal TRIO, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Email: cahunter@oakland.edu |
 | Denise Thompkins-Jones is a Retention Coordinator for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives. Her primary responsibilities include, monitoring scholarship requirements of over 150 students and supervision and leadership development of the CMI Peer Mentor team. Additionally, Mrs. Thompkins-Jones develops, implements, and monitors retention strategies to ensure student success, and interacts with student organizations to develop a strong rapport between students and the CMI office. Lastly, Mrs. Thompkins-Jones oversees the programming of African American Celebration Month, Student Leader Recruitment as well as assists in the planning of the CMI's annual Women's Retreat and the Circle of Sisterhood. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and the Black Employee Resource Group. Email: drjones@oakland.edu |
 | VaNessa Thompson is a CORE Program Coordinator for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives. VaNessa manages the CORE Program which helps give first-year students a great start to their time at Oakland University. She also participates in planning African American Celebration Month and Circle of Sisterhood. Her love of Michigan and Metro-Detroit is shown not only in her professional experiences in other higher education institutions but also in her free time. She frequently volunteers in many non-profits in the state. Email: vthompson@oakland.edu |
 | Lawrence Young is a Retention Coordinator for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives. His primary responsibilities include advising and supporting CMI scholars to ensure student success. To aid in retention and persistence to goal Lawrence monitors student academic standing to ensure compliance with all scholarship requirements. During meetings with scholars Mr. Young reviews student success strategies and guides discussions to identify each student’s strengths and areas of opportunity. In addition to these duties Lawrence assists with the planning and facilitation of: The Circle of Brotherhood peer mentorship program; African American Celebration Month; CMI’s Annual Men’s Retreat. Lawrence has previous experience in academic advising and success coaching with first year students. Mr. Young also has significant experience providing career exploration guidance while facilitating job search toolkit seminars and professional development workshops in his previous role as a human resources professional. Email: lawrenceyoung@oakland.edu |
 | Janice Houston is the Administrative Assistant for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives. Her responsibility includes providing clerical support to the Senior Director and his staff. Also, she is the first point of contact for students and visitors to the CMI office. Janice holds a degree in Organization Administration from Central Michigan University and comes to OU with years of administrative experience. Email: jhouston@oakland.edu |
Assistants
Raneen Allos |
Keaira Hall | |
Daziah Mallory |
Caya Smith |
Ambassadors
Cachet Canada |
Angel Fields |
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Ja Laaiyah Gordon |
TaNiyah Harris |
Daija Hayes |
Gicentroy Henry |
Rachel Jackson |
Jalen Johnson |
Joshua Maxwell |
Shy Mckalpain |
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Mentors
Julia Alexander |
Zakia Ali-James |
Zaid Asbahi |
Ashley Chillis |
Kamryn Dates |
Jalen Felix |
Daniele Jones |
Cheyenne Kucinski |
Benjamin Lane |
Shania Lewis |
Beverly Lickeig |
Koreen Ludovico |
Nicole Massoud |
Jennifer Medrano Delacruz |
Carmen Morrell |
James Moseley |
Mikayla Pearson |
Destinee Rule |
Jordan Simmons |
