The Diversity Peer Educators (DPE) is a student organization which utilizes group facilitation to educate peers on the Georgia College campus about issues of diversity through various workshops and presentations throughout the duration of the school year. The program's intent is to make our campus not only more inclusive, but to also improve our campus climate! We strive to make sure that everyone feels more inclusive and diverse.
Meet the team
Ansel Moore
Year: Senior Major: Art "My name is Ansel (he/him). I am a DPE because I want to ensure a safe environment for Georgia College students regardless of race, class, or identity. Through my job, I feel as if I am helping others be aware of the obstacles everyone has faced and will face throughout our lives. With that, I hope that each person can treat their peers with respect and understanding despite differences. " |
Lydia Adkins
Year: Senior Major: Mass Communication "This is my second year as a DPE and it is one of the main reasons I chose to stay at GCSU. I had a tough time my first two years here and was planning on transferring somewhere more diverse and where more people shared similar views and passions as me. My college experience has changed for the better since joining DPE. I am now involved in different groups on campus that work for the better of all students and have been able to befriend others who have similar ideas as me and who are committed to creating a more inclusive environment for anyone who steps foot onto our campus. For people like me, who look like the majority but still feel out of place, and especially for people who are part of underrepresented populations on our campus, organizations like DPE are incredibly valuable and necessary to the education of others. |
Oliver Carnazzo
Year: Senior Major: Exercise Science "The areas of activism I’m most passionate are the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities. As someone who is at the crossroads of multiple marginalized identities—queer, trans, and disabled—I use my position to educate others about intersectionality through sharing my experiences. Constantly having to advocate for yourself and others in the same position is exhausting, so I am grateful to have the support of my fellow Diversity Peer Educators. We can do more as a team than I could do alone. This was my main motivation for becoming a DPE." |
Jovanna Cruz
Year: Junior Major: Psychology "This past year has been a great learning experience for me. I have learned so much regarding the different aspects of diversity and how it is deeper than a person's race or ethnicity. It is really important to me that we make everyone feel welcome on campus, especially to people who feel underrepresented. As a DPE, I get the opportunity to bring awareness to a variety of different issues that people refuse to talk about. Being a DPE has given me so many opportunities that I would not have had. I cannot wait to see what this upcoming year will bring to DPE!" |
Sydney Saxon
Year: Senior Major: Liberal Studies (Sociology and Communications) "I am a Diversity Peer Educator because I want to see a real change on our campus surrounding diversity education! When I first came to Georgia College, my education on identities that differed from my own was lacking but through the patient and kind professors, faculty, and classmates my knowledge has grown. I want to be able to be that person for others. While all aspects of diversity are important to me, I stand specifically for my LGBTQ family and want to ensure Georgia College is a safe and welcoming environment for us all." |
Diondra Franklin
Year: Junior Major: English (Creative Writing) "Being socially involved has done more for me than any college course I've taken so far. I've learned so much about the different aspects of diversity, about my own intersectionality as well, and I want to continue to share what I know. This is my second year and I'm more than proud to be a part of the DPE team again and I hope to show others just how wonderful what we do really is." |
Deaje Taylor
Head Coordinator Working full time as the Program Assistant to High Achievers. Deaje states that her true passions in Diversity and Inclusion and has been working closely with the Office of Inclusive Excellence to coordinate the Diversity Peer Educators program for the past 6 years! "Every year I meet so many beautifully diverse human beings and each one of them touch my life immensely. Being surrounded by passionate students who want to make a change makes my job fun and effortless" |