Staff directory

This role is designated as a confidential resource.

As director, Jesse provides campus-wide leadership on student belonging with regard to gender and sexuality. Jesse drives our strategic planning, sets unit goals, and oversees the operation of the center and our programs and services.

This role is designated as a confidential resource.

Dawn Espy (they/them) is a social justice educator and organizational strategist with a background in psychology and a deep commitment to identity, inclusion, and community transformation.

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Uriel provides administrative support for the center and helps to make the office a welcoming space for students and visitors.

Thea/TJ is a special projects coordinator at Spectrum Center. TJ is a Master of Social Work student at the University of Michigan who studies interpersonal practice in integrated health and mental health, as well as community change. They focus on providing sexuality and gender affirming care, with intent to recieve a sexual health certification in counseling and education. Thea has experience working with Spectrum as an undergraduate in student support services and is thrilled to continue supporting the LGBTQ+ community here at Michigan.

Sebas Abbate is the research, assessment, and advocacy graduate coordinator at Spectrum Center. They are a queer, trans Latine activist and grassroots organizer dedicated to making the world a safer space for young LGBTQ+ people of color. He is a first-generation graduate student pursuing his Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in community change. In 2020, they graduated with bachelor's degrees in political science and sociology; and a certificate in peace, justice, and human rights from Florida Atlantic University.
 

Daniel Chavez is a front desk student lead at Spectrum Center. Daniel is an undergraduate majoring in applied exercise science. Coming from Joliet, Illinois, he is passionate about transgender rights. In his role at Spectrum, Daniel greets and helps visitors get connected to support, resources, and information.

Tsemaye Erenshey (she/her) is the support and projects lead at Spectrum Center, and a student pursuing an undergraduate degree in public health at the University of Michigan. Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Tsemaye is passionate about the protection and liberty of transgender athletes in sports. 

Kate Gendrich is a front desk student lead at the University of Michigan Spectrum Center. Kate is a senior from Middletown, Connecticut studying economics. They love all things arts and are passionate about helping the environment. At the Spectrum Center, she welcomes students and connects them with resources and information.  

Izzy O'Connor is a tabling a support student lead at Spectrum Center and a U-M undergraduate majoring in psychology. Calling Atlanta, Georgia home, Izzy is passionate about disability and immigrant rights, as well as LGBTQ+ and BIPOC representation.

Joann Ransom is Spectrum Center's 55th anniversary coordinator. She has been working for The National GEM Consortium for the past six years. She currently serves as programs manager for the organization’s operation team. Most of her duties involve strategically developing and organizing the organizations programs. More specifically, educating her younger constituents on the importance of continuing their graduate education. When Joann was still in college at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, she was interested in two things: marketing and community development.

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Angie Freeman, MS is the events and partnerships program manager at Spectrum Center. They are a fiery, energetic student affairs practitioner, educator, and speaker who pours their heart out into the work of social justice.

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Nicole Newsome is the program specialist for student engagement and belonging at the University of Michigan's Spectrum Center. Nicole is a Black, queer, disabled emerging student affairs professional, and QTBIPOC advocacy has always been at the center of their educational and professional work.

Vibhor Katiyar is the Programming Board graduate coordinator and a graduate student at the University of Michigan School of Information. Passionate about arts and fair pay for artists as well as queer representation in media, Vibhor brings a commitment to equity and creativity to his work on campus. When asked where home is, he says it's "wherever people I love are." Outside of academics, he champions the intersection of art, justice, and community.

This role is designated as a confidential resource.

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Elizabeth González leads the center's educational engagements, facilitates workshops, supports research, and consults with campus partners.

This role is designated as a confidential resource.

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Spencer Hall leads the center's work on support services and wellness, including HIV/STI testing, navigating care, essential needs, and mentorship.

Macie Richardson is a first-generation college student and senior double majoring in creative writing and literature and linguistics with a minor in community action and social change. As the support services and wellness student lead, they enjoy working with the FreshSpectives program and getting to be involved in helping queer and trans students build community and access resources. They’re so glad to be a part of Spectrum Center!

Daniel Silva is the communications graduate coordinator for Spectrum Center, where he supports and is growing the center's storytelling and social media portfolio. Daniel is also a current Master of Management student at the Ross School of Business and an aspiring creative strategist with experience in writing, digital marketing, and design. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in LGBTQ+ Studies, which deepened his understanding of identity, community, and human connection.