About the Office

ej seibert | they/them

Interim Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
ej seibert ’08 returned to work at Smith in 2022, and has been in ARC and Student Affairs prior to OEI. They have worked at UMass, Westfield State University, and in Community Health Clinics. They are a social worker and writer. ej has published articles in The National Teaching and Learning Forum on resilience-informed teaching and the concept of “glimmers,” everyday moments that boost our joy and rewire our brains. They have completed a draft of their first novel. While a student at Smith, ej lived in Baldwin House, majored in American Studies, minored in English, and pole vaulted on the track team. Their work in the world is guided by intersections of collective healing, anti-oppressive education, transformative embodied learning, connection with the natural world, and contemplative practice.
Drew Hall 101 • 413-585-2247

Queen Lanier | she/her

Assistant to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
Queen Lanier is the initial point of contact for the office. She works closely with the vice president to prioritize the workflow of the office, maintain the office budget, and schedule committee and individual meetings for office members. Queen manages all aspects of the office’s day-to-day operations while also serving on the Cromwell Day Committee, Inclusion in Action and the Virtual Community Engagement Team. If you have any questions about the office or need to make an appointment, email Queen.
Drew Hall 100R • 413-585-2141

Toby Davis | he/him

Inclusion Education Trainer/Facilitator
Toby Davis ’03 is available to provide a variety of trainings to individual departments, groups and the campus as a whole. In addition, Toby serves as the point person and advocate for low income, first generation, trans and gender-nonconforming students. His areas of interest include antiracism, queer and trans liberation, intergroup dialogue and compassionate communication. He holds a B.A. from Smith College and an M.Ed in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts, as well as a certificate in Social Justice Mediation. His office hours are Mondays 2:30-4 p.m. or by appointment.
Drew Hall 104 • 413-585-6261

Marjorie Valdivia | she/her

Action Planning Project Coordinator and Facilitator 
Marjorie Valdivia serves as the point person to support individual departments in their efforts of developing their racial justice action plans. She is available to provide a variety of trainings to individual departments. She holds an M.Ed and PH.D in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and has ten years of experience in the field of social justice education. Marjorie is the co-author of a chapter intended to support educators and community leaders to teach about race and racism in the book Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice. In addition, she recently collaborated on a book chapter that focuses on providing pedagogical approaches on how to teach about class and classism for the upcoming fourth edition of Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice. As a social justice educator she is committed to developing, promoting an inclusive learning community that is caring, supportive and welcoming, and fosters interests and commitment to equity and inclusion. Her office hours are Wednesdays 2-4 p.m. or by appointment in Drew Hall 103.

The Inclusion Council was established in 2009. The Council works with the vice president for equity and inclusion to promote and achieve Smith’s diversity and social justice goals. Membership includes faculty, staff, and students from constituencies across the campus. Over the years, the Inclusion Council has advised on the recruitment and retention of a diverse student body and workforce, strategic planning for equity and inclusion, and responses to community concerns.

If you have questions or input for the Inclusion Council, please email oei@smith.edu.