2022

Emanuela Kucik Named Inaugural Faculty Fellow for DEI Initiatives

The appointment recognizes the work that Kucik, assistant professor of English and Africana Studies and director of Africana Studies, already does beyond the classroom.

By: Meghan Kita  Monday, June 6, 2022 02:58 PM

Assistant Professor of English and Africana Studies and Director of Africana Studies Emanuela Kucik at the celebratory dinner for the first cohort of students participating in the Graduate School Preparatory Program for Students from Underrepresented Backgrounds, which she co-founded and co-directs with Assistant Professor of Biology Giancarlo Cuadra. Photo by Kristi Morris

Assistant Professor of English and Africana Studies and Director of Africana Studies Emanuela Kucik has been named the inaugural Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives.

This role recognizes the work beyond the classroom that Kucik already does at the College, including her development, in collaboration with a variety of offices and departments, of campus-wide programming, events and initiatives that support students from a range of underrepresented groups and that address urgent social justice issues. The Fellowship also honors her work as advisor of the Black Students Association, her roles as co-founder and co-director of the Graduate School Preparatory Program for Students from Underrepresented Backgrounds, her creation of the College’s first Africana Studies Book Club and her commitment to expanding the reach of Muhlenberg’s Africana Studies Program through the creation of public Africana Studies events that have been attended by local, national and international audiences.

“I am deeply grateful and honored to be named the inaugural Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives,” Kucik says. “I am looking forward to continuing to work alongside my extraordinary colleagues to create programming, initiatives and events focused on helping us build an equitable world. I am particularly excited about partnering with my colleagues to continue to craft events that approach topics of social justice with possibility and hope by emphasizing how we can create and become the changes we need.”

“It is a pleasure to recognize, with this appointment, the strong collaborations that Dr. Kucik has developed at Muhlenberg to move forward shared visions of what it means to celebrate, elevate and bring focus to objectives for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at Muhlenberg,” says Provost Laura Furge. “Dr. Kucik uses her skills and connections to bring outstanding opportunities to the students and to our campus and I look forward to working with her further to bring greater attention to the work we are doing at Muhlenberg.”

The provost’s office created Faculty Fellow positions as administrative leadership development opportunities for faculty at Muhlenberg. In her role as Faculty Fellow, Kucik will be provided regular mentoring from President Kathleen Harring, Furge and Associate Provost for Faculty and Diversity Initiatives Brooke Vick. The three-year appointment begins August 31.