Erika Lynn Dawson Head, M.S. is the founding Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusive Community Development and Director of the Massenberg STEM Institute at the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences UMass Amherst. She was instrumental in establishing an Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Saint Joseph, while serving as Diversity and Employee Engagement Coordinator for the University’s Department of Human Resources. Erika is the Inaugural recipient of the UMass Amherst Chancellor’s Emerging Leader Award in recognition of her efforts leading programs and initiatives designed to support the success of students from marginalized identities within the college and university. Erika bridges her role as a leader in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the college with student, faculty, and staff development on issues of anti-racism and inclusive outreach.