Multicultural Resource Commons Records

The Multicultural Resource Commons (MRC) was founded in 1995 during the tenure of Oberlin College President Nancy Schrom Dye. Its creation was based on the recommendation of a College-wide task force intended to help Oberlin better address the needs of students from marginalized backgrounds. Prior to 1995, similar services were provided through the Office of Multicultural Affairs. In the fall of 1995, Dean of Student life and Services Charlene Cole-Newkirk designed the new MRC to function through community coordinator positions, the MRC acted as a hub for all students but focused specifically on providing services to underrepresented groups including students of color, first generation students, international students, LGBTQ+ students, and low-income students. Since its foundation, the MRC has been part of Oberlin College’s Division of Student Affairs, overseen by the Office of the Dean of Students. Originally located in Daub House and then Stevenson Hall, the MRC offices moved to Wilder Hall in 1997. In 2017, the MRC office relocated to a building known as the “Blue House” at 187 North Professor Street before returning to Wilder Hall after its first phase of renovation was completed in 2023.

From 1995 through 2004, community coordinator (CC) positions with the MRC were considered “internships.” The low pay and lack of benefits associated with the CC internships led to consistent turnover within the MRC. Initially, there were four community coordinator positions: Africana Community Coordinator, Asian/Pacific American Community Coordinator, Latinx Community Coordinator, and LGBT Community Coordinator. In 2004, Kimberly Jackson Davidson released the results of a study underscoring the importance of supporting community coordinators in order to facilitate long-term commitment to the roles. In response, Oberlin College increased its funding of the Multicultural Resource Commons, reclassifying the community coordinator positions and hiring Eric Estes as MRC director.

In order to support Oberlin’s diverse student population, the MRC CCs planned collaborative student group events, supported program houses, and assisted students in grant applications. Throughout changes to the community coordinator role, the programming support has remained a consistent function of the MRC. Since its inception, the MRC has provided support for numerous programs. As of 2025, the office considers Colors of Rhythm, My Name is My Own, the Indigenous Women and Trans Series, and the Unity Celebration to be some of its “signature” programs. Other programs include Drag Ball, Black history month, Asian American Heritage Month, and Latine heritage month celebrations. In addition to programming, the MRC also offers training and education for other campus groups.

The shift from four community coordinators to MRC staff with other titles began after a staff shortage in the fall of 2018.

In the fall of 2024, Gender, Sexuality, and Attraction Initiatives (GSAI) expanded into a standalone office to provide support and programming for queer, trans, and women students. The new GSAI Office is still housed within the Division of Student Affairs and located in the same building as the MRC. It hosts signature programs like LGBTQ+ Pride Month, My Name is My Own (in partnership with the MRC), Trans Day of Remembrance, and Women’s History Month. The office provides on and off campus resources to LGBTQ+ students, including legal support.

As of 2026, the MRC describes its mission as providing programs and services “that affirm and promote equity for students of color and college students with marginalized identities.” The office works with campus and community partners to “create a climate where all students belong and have equitable opportunities and outcomes.”

MRC Staff

1996-1997: Ken Holmes, Associate Dean of Student Life and Services Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Carmen Mitchell, Africana Community Coordinator Michelle Shim, Asian American Community Coordinator Adrian Bautista, Latino Community Coordinator Dee Wells, LGBT Community Coordinator

1997-1998: Ken Holmes, Associate Dean of Student Life and Services Julia Nieves, Assistant Dean Shilpa Davé, MRC Director Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Carmen Mitchell, Africana Community Coordinator Michelle Shim, Asian American Community Coordinator Adrian Bautista, Latino Community Coordinator Cara Wick, LGBT Community Coordinator

1998-1999: Joe DiChristina, Associate Dean of Student Life Shilpa Davé, MRC Director Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Adrian Bautista, Latino Community Coordinator Angela Nichols, LGBT Community Coordinator

1999-2000: Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Ntombi Peters, Africana Community Coordinator Michelle Shim, Asian American Community Coordinator

2000-2001: Rachel Beverly, MRC Director Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician K. Terumi Shorb, AAPI Community Coordinator Tori McReynolds, LGBT Community Coordinator

2001-2002: Rachel Beverly, Associate Dean of Students, Director of the MRC Kwame Willingham, Africana Community Coordinator K. Terumi Shorb, AAPI Community Coordinator Liselda Fabien, Latinx Community Coordinator Michael Hartwyk, LGBT Community Coordinator 2002-2003: Rachel Beverly, Associate Dean of Students, Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Grace Han, AAPI Community Coordinator La Trina Jackson, Africana Community Coordinator Nina D. Sanchez, Latinx Community Coordinator Peter Meredith, LGBT Community Coordinator

2003-2004: Kim Jackson Davidson, Associate Dean of Students and Dean to the Class of 2005 Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Nina D. Sanchez, Latinx Community Coordinator Tracy Ng, AAPI Community Coordinator La Trina Jackson, Africana Community Coordinator Kate Eubank, LGBT Community Coordinator

2004-2005: Eric Estes, Associate Dean of Academic Diversity & Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Tracy Ng, AAPI Community Coordinator La Trina Jackson, Africana Community Coordinator Nina D. Sanchez, Latinx Community Coordinator Kate Eubank, LGBT Community Coordinator

2005-2006: Eric Estes, Associate Dean of Academic Diversity and Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Courtney Patterson, Africana Community Coordinator Rashné Limki, AAPI Community Coordinator Tamara Serrano, Latinx Community Coordinator Andrea Stokes, LGBT Community Coordinator

2006-2007: Eric Estes, Associate Dean of Academic Diversity and Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Jenny Lares, AAPI Community Coordinator Ramaesh Bhagirat, Africana Community Coordinator Tamara Serrano, Latinx Community Coordinator Griffin Yvon Moore, LGBTQ Community Coordinator

2007-2008: Eric Estes, Associate Dean of Academic Diversity and Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Ramaesh Bhagirat, Africana Community Coordinator Jenny Lares, AAPI Community Coordinator Marisol LeBron, Latinx Community Coordinator Jack Skelton, LGBTQ Community Coordinator

2008-2009: Eric Estes, Associate Dean of Academic Diversity and Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Domenico Ruggerio, AAPI Community Coordinator Diego Luna, Latinx Community Coordinator Kantara Souffrant, Africana Community Coordinator Jack Skelton, LGBTQ Community Coordinator

2009-2010: Eric Estes, Associate Dean of Academic Diversity and Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Nicole Nfonoyim, Africana Community Coordinator Diego Luna, Latinx Community Coordinator Domenico Ruggerio, AAPI Community Coordinator JAC Stringer, LGBTQ Community Coordinator

2010-2011: Eric Estes, Associate Dean of Academic Diversity and Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Domenico Ruggerio, AAPI Community Coordinator Nicole Nfonoyim, Africana Community Coordinator Liz Covarrubias, Latinx Community Coordinator Asher Kolieboi, LGBTQ Community Coordinator

2011-2012: Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Peter Nguyen, AAPI Community Coordinator Caitlin O’Neill, Africana Community Coordinator

2012-2013: Alison Williams, Associate Dean of Academic Diversity and Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Peter Nguyen, AAPI Community Coordinator Caitlin O’Neill, Africana Community Coordinator Jesús Gómez, Latinx Community Coordinator Lorena Espinoza, LGBTQ Community Coordinator

2013-2014: Alison Williams, Associate Dean of Academic Diversity and Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Jesús Gómez, Latinx Community Coordinator Danielle Stevens, LGBTQ Community Coordinator

2014-2015: Alison Williams, Associate Dean of Academic Diversity and Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Kristen Surla, AAPI Community Coordinator Dio Aldridge, Africana Community Coordinator Danielle Stevens, LGBTQ Community Coordinator

2015-2016: Toni Myers, Interim Assistant Dean of Students and MRC Director Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Sinaya Surla, AAPI Community Coordinator Dio Aldridge, Africana Community Coordinator Julio Reyes, Latinx Community Coordinator Art Phung, LGBTQ Community Coordinator 2016-2017: Toni Meyers, Interim Assistant Dean of Students and MRC Director Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Art Phung, AAPI Community Coordinator Kristen Reynolds, Africana Student Life Coordinator Julio Reyes, Latinx Community Coordinator Elliot Director, LGBTQ Community Coordinator

2017-2018: Toni Myers, Assistant Dean of Students and MRC Director Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Art Phung, AAPI Community Coordinator Khalid Taylor, Africana Community Coordinator Libni Lopez, Latinx Community Coordinator Elliot Director, LGBTQ Community Coordinator

2018-2019: Adrian Bautista, Assistant Vice President and Interim Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician Khalid Taylor, Program Coordinator Elliot Director, Program Coordinator 2019-2020: Zahida Sherman, Director of the MRC Barbara Kirby, Administrative Technician

2020-2021: Zahida Sherman, Director of the MRC Ilianna Velez, Interim Associate Director of the MRC Jimmy Bowen, Graduate Assistant and Intern

2021-2022: Chris Donaldson, Assistant Dean, Interim Director of the MRC Ilianna Velez, Interim Associate Director of the MRC 2022-2023: Scott Hwang, Senior Assistant Dean and Director of the MRC NiK Peavy, Associate Director for Gender and Attraction Initiatives, MRC Ava Brown, BIPOC Fellow Katie Graham, LGBTQ+ Fellow

2023-2024: Chris Donaldson, Assistant Dean for Inclusion and Belonging NiK Peavy, Associate Director for Gender and Attraction Initiatives, MRC Felicia Muhammad, Program Coordinator AJ Johnson, Intergroup Dialogue Coordinator Seven Townsel, BIPOC Fellow Leonard Versola, LGBTQ+ Fellow

2024-2025: Kimberly S. Springer, Assistant Dean of the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Director of the MRC Chris Donaldson, Assistant Dean for Inclusion and Belonging AJ Johnson, Intergroup Dialogue Coordinator Felicia Muhammad, Program Coordinator Madison Shipp, BIPOC Fellow Al Herrera, LGBTQ+ Fellow