The committee comprises a variety of stakeholders, including current students, alumni, parents, faculty and other community members. Together, the group will work under the direction of EISD DEI Consultant Mark Gooden, who joined the district in July.
Gooden, the committee and district administrators will lead the district’s efforts to enhance racial awareness on campus, a goal set in response to testimonials from former and current EISD students who reported racist behavior within the district.
After reviewing more than 260 applicants, EISD trustees identified committee members to work alongside Gooden based on experience and interest in DEI work, according to a press release from the district.
Each committee member is required to serve for at least two years and will make formal reports to the board.
The DEI committee members include the following.
Staff: Brittany Jennings, Christy Catalano, Hunter Hames, Julie Carmona, Katie Ricter, Katy Larson, Mariam Yaghi and Michael McKelvy
Parents: Anita Lakshman, Ben De Leon, Dr. Carolyn Helsel, Darshana Kalikstein, Hugo Aguilar, Jeff Newberg, Monique Pikus, Sang McDonnell and Yvonne Adams
Students: Audrey Wong, Hudson Huff, Liberty Johnson and Sehva Faulkner
Community members: Beth South and Prianka Ghoshal
Principals: Dianne Carter and Holly Reid
Administration: Mindy Choate
