Diana oversees diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEIJ) at the Cornell Lab. By collaborating with leadership, DEIJ-related committees and working groups, and other stakeholders with an interest in fostering a diverse, equitable, and just learning and working environment, she aims to create a plan of action and to implement changes in support of the Cornell Lab’s DEIJ objectives. In this new position, her plan is to start by focusing on expanding access to the Cornell Lab for historically excluded folks, fostering an environment of psychological safety, and recruiting and retaining a diverse community.
She started her DEIJ work in a student-services position at the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), a federally grant-funded scholarship program. This program supports the recruitment, retention, and academic success of students from migrant, seasonal, and temporary farm-working backgrounds. Approximately 80% of the CAMP students identify as Latinx, and most of those students are first or second generation migrants or immigrants. Many of these students are low-income and under-prepared for college, yet time and again these young people demonstrated that they can be successful if given opportunity and support.
Her work with CAMP inspired her passion for advocating on behalf of marginalized students and for removing barriers to success at an institutional level. During her seven year tenure she held various roles that prepared her for the next phase in her career. And though she'll miss working directly with undergraduates, she is excited to take on the challenge of a new role at the Cornell Lab where she’ll be working in a more administrative capacity to make change.
