The Center for Diversity and Inclusion Team

Bio

Holbrook Hankinson, PhD, serves as Executive Director of the Justin and Darianne Christian Center for Diversity & Inclusion at DePauw University. Since joining DePauw in 2021, he has led efforts to advance student success, belonging, and cultural transitions through programming, advocacy, and community engagement. He also teaches Designing Your Life and Leading in Business and Beyond, courses that blend practical tools with leadership development.

Dr. Hankinson brings extensive experience from senior leadership roles at Delta Air Lines Global Services, Standard Management Corporation, and McDonald’s Corporation, as well as global consulting work in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. His work is guided by DePauw’s mission of “developing leaders the world needs.”

He lives with his wife Shelley and finds joy in mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Bio

Joseph Harris joined the Center for Diversity and Inclusion in November of 2019. He is originally from Maryland and graduated from Bowie State University with a Degree in History with a concentration in Pan-African Studies. He has presented or participated in numerous projects concerning diversity at all levels of education, including presenting on the praxis of teaching diverse literature at the National Council for Teachers of English (NTCE). He is currently a Ph.D. student at Michigan State University’s college of education with a specialization in urban education and literacy. In his spare time, he is a book reviewer for the website “Black Nerd Problems”.

Bio

Troyanna Jefferson joined DePauw University in May 2021. An Indiana native and Goshen College alumna, she brings a background in Communication Across Cultures as well as Race, Class, and Ethnic Relations to her work.

In her current role as Institutional Equity Coordinator, Troyanna supports university-wide initiatives that strengthen equity, belonging, and accountability across campus. She also continues to partner with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), where she works with students to create meaningful programs and foster spaces that promote advocacy, retention, and student success.

Her work is rooted in care and community, and her passion for Young Adult Ministry continues to guide her commitment to encouraging growth and belonging for all students.

Bio

Originally from Greencastle, Beth earned her AB from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in French and Rhetoric, as well as an MFA in Fiction Writing from Indiana University. She has nearly two decades of experience working with international students and scholars, supporting global studies inside and outside of the classroom. Recently relocated back to her hometown after twenty years in Brooklyn, New York, Beth is eager to connect with DePauw's international students, support them in their undergraduate studies and their transitions between countries and cultures. When she's not on campus, she's likely in the woods somewhere with her two dogs, spending time with her family, and newly appreciating the unique regional cultures represented in Putnam County. 

Bio

Favorite place on campus: My favorite place on campus is the old Speaking Center room in Asbury. I used to spend so much time there doing homework, studying for finals, and tutoring my peers. It always felt like a safe and comfortable space for me.

Favorite place to eat in Greencastle: Tokyo Steakhouse. It is a gem.

Favorite DePauw tradition: Walking under the arch your incoming and graduating years. It brings you full circle. You walk under it alone for the first time, and you walk under it with your friends the last.

Advice to students considering DePauw: As you get to know DePauw, let DePauw know you. Allow this place to envision your growth, power, and care. Work together to meet in the middle, as this could be your new home for years to come.

Bio

Bio: After graduating from DePauw in 2023 with a BA in Philosophy, Ellie went on to complete a dual Master's degree in Islamic Studies and Muslim Cultures from Columbia University and the Aga Khan Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations in London. Ellie's research interests include Sufism, South Asian religion in the modern period, and religious syncretism. While studying at DePauw, Ellie worked with students in various roles as a part of the First Year Experience, The Learning Commons, and English for Academic Purposes. As Assistant Director of International Student Affairs, Ellie is excited to work with International Students to support their academic and career goals, and to help them feel at home in Indiana, where she was born and raised.