DEI Panel – Mentoring’s Positive Impact!March 23, 2023 at 6–7 p.m.

The Gustavus Mentoring Program would like to invite you to our DEI Panel - Mentoring's Positive Impact.

Our panelists will be talking about their own experiences with mentoring and how it has positively impacted them both personally and professionally. Our panelists come from various backgrounds and occupations.
(see bios below)

March 23rd, 2023
6:00-7:00 PM
3 Crown Room – Jackson Campus Center

All are welcome!

Appetizers and door prizes for those in attendance!

Students can pre-register on Handshake for this event.
Register Now!

If you are unable to join us in person we will be sharing the event online as well.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81404024375?pwd=WWpuSWNtVkFWSGxCMjJ3NFdhdEozQT09
Meeting ID: 814 0402 4375
Passcode: 036031

Panelist Bios:

Ayan Musse is the Coordinator of the Office of Education Equity with St. Peter Public schools. Ayan was born in East Africa (Somalia) and grew up in Egypt. She has called Mankato her home since 2002 and is very involved in the community. Ayan is a licensed MN Social Worker, who is passionate for challenging individuals to expand their thinking while equipping and empowering those who desire to see actual, sustainable change within our community regarding diversity and equity. She is committed to improve the quality of life for all individuals by putting system-wide change into effect through the pursuit of social justice.

Rita Rassbach is the Regional Coordinator for the Greater Mankato Inclusivity Study for the Mankato Area Foundation. This is one of the largest publicly, privately, and non-profit funded inclusivity studies in the United States. Twelve partners in the greater Mankato area have come together to learn and understand more the status of inclusivity, encompassing age, gender, ethnicity, and ability. Prior to her role with the Foundation, Rita worked as an occupational therapist in neuro-rehabilitation/mental health, Director of Occupational Therapy, Director of a Regional Council for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and their families, and Interim Executive Director of Mankato Ballet Company. Over the years, Rita has volunteered in the classrooms of the Saint Peter Schools and served on the boards of Creative Play Place, Merely Players, Mankato Ballet Company, and the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council.

Jenn Melby-Kelley is a Mankato native, a graduate of the Minnesota State University - Mankato, a second-generation entrepreneur, lead singer/songwriter for the band Sister Gin, one of the area’s most visible LGBTQ leaders, and a well-known local advocate for arts, music, small business, entrepreneurship and positive social change. Against challenging economic tides, Jenn’s leadership has grown the Coffee Hag from a struggling independent to a thriving, popular, fast-paced establishment that remains true to its roots, exemplifies social responsibility and provides. In her words, "A place where people can find community and feel good about who they are the moment they walk through the door."  Jenn’s work at the Coffee Hag has earned her many awards and accolades, including a Martin Luther King, Jr. Pathfinder Business Award, Mankato Pridefest Dedication, a Lavender Community Award, the 2016 SBA Woman-owned Small Business of the Year for Minnesota, 2016 Greater Mankato Distinguished Business Award and the 2019 YWCA Distinctive Business Award.

John Harper currently serves in the office of the president at South Central College as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Masters of Science in Educational Leadership and from Minnesota State University, Mankato. With a background in student affairs, John is the youngest member of his institution’s executive leadership team. He currently serves on several state wide committees and serves as his college’s co-title ix coordinator. His skills include strategic planning, policy development, talent recruitment and equity examination. He is currently in pursuit of his education doctorate from Morgan State University in Baltimore.

We hope to see you at this amazing event! If you have any questions about this event, please contact Julie Rudolf (jarudolf@gustavus.edu).