News
Hamilton welcomes new director of diversity and inclusion
By Emily Eisler ’17
October 6, 2016
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This week the Days-Massolo Center welcomed its new Associate Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Aimee Germain. Germain comes to Hamilton College after working at the University of Michigan as the Graduate Program Coordinator for the Department of Women’s Studies. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan as well as a Masters of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Germain has also worked with GLAD in Boston, the Jane Goodall Institute in Washington DC and the surrounding area as well as the University of Chicago. Her impressive resume makes her a perfect addition to the Days-Massolo Center and the important diversity work they conduct.
Germain is excited to begin work at Hamilton due to the ability to work closely with students, an opportunity that a small liberal arts college provides. She stated in an email: “I’m excited about working for a small liberal arts college. I enjoy working both with and for students, and I’ll have much more opportunity here at Hamilton to make a difference and to help students make a difference on campus and beyond. Working for the Days-Massolo Center allows me to address both the promise and challenge of diversity and inclusion on Hamilton’s campus. I believe ‘inclusion’ is the key word here, and it’s important to recognize that college is a time for dialogue. We don’t all have to agree on everything, but we do all have to respect each other.”
Her commitment to a more inclusive campus community is one of the reasons Interim Director of Diversity and Inclusion Phyllis A.H. Breland said Germain is perfect for the job. Breland emphasized that Germain was chosen for her knowledge, strong work ethic, expertise and ability to work within a team, as well as her ability to connect with students and empathize with their concerns. She went on to tell The Spectator, “We were looking for someone willing to help us continue to work for a more inclusive community. Aimee offers us that, and brings both balance and insight to the table. In addition to having some programs lined up for the spring, we are looking forward to the insights that a pair of fresh eyes can bring. I am excited to have Aimee join us, and look forward to working with her.”
The Days-Massolo Center functions on campus to support diversity and inclusion within the college community and holds events throughout the year to engage faculty, staff and students in dialogues about gender, race, class, sexuality and other similar topics. It is also home to both the LGBTQ Resource Center and the Womyn’s Center and hosts the meetings of many multicultural groups on campus. Programming at the DMC can be found on the Hamilton website and is open to the entire Hamilton College community.