Our Staff

Headshot of Jessica Guzman-Rea.

Jessica Guzmán-Rea

she/her/hers

Assistant Dean for Diversity and Director

Office Location
305D Douglass Commons
Telephone
(585) 275-9701

Dr. Jessica Guzmán-Rea is the Assistant Dean for Diversity and the director of the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center (BIC) at the University of Rochester. The BIC promotes cultural awareness and engagement, educates on issues of identity, culture, and diversity, and provide avenues for intersection and opportunities for collaboration. In addition, she responds to the bias-related incident reports where she contacts the individuals involved in the report, coordinates a response with an executive team, and communicates with the University community (when appropriate). Dr. Guzmán-Rea also chairs the College Diversity Roundtable (CDR), which is a student-centered task force where campus climate and quality of life issues and/or concerns can be voiced, heard, and acted upon, especially those affecting racial, ethnic and cultural groups on campus. The CDR is also a focal point for diversity discussions, initiatives and best practices. 

Dr. Guzmán-Rea facilitates workshops, trainings, and restorative circles in response to bias-related incidents, but also to educate our campus community. These workshops include topics such as implicit bias, microaggressions, understanding privilege, allyship, creating an inclusive environment, Safe Zone, and practicing cultural humility, just to name a few. Dr. Guzmán-Rea enjoys facilitating these conversations because she gets to watch folks explore how they self-identify and learn new ways to express themselves authentically. She believes that in order to cultivate global citizens, we need to have open and honest dialogue with each other and with folks that differ from us. 

Dr. Guzmán-Rea obtained her Doctorate of Education in Higher Education from the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester and is a Licensed Master Social Worker. Dr. Guzmán-Rea received her Masters of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Spanish from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Guzmán-Rea has taught undergraduate courses at the University of Rochester and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She has also taught graduate courses as an adjunct faculty at the Warner School of Education, Walden University, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

For more information, please visit: www.linkedin.com/in/drjessicaguzmanrea.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jessica Guzman-Rea visit: https://calendly.com/drguzmanrea.

Headshot of Col Raimond.

Col Raimond

he/they

Director of LGBTQ Life and AS&E Staff Ombudsperson

Office Location
305G Douglass Commons
Telephone
(585) 276-3970

Dr. Col Raimond is a lifelong Rochesterian who was a practicing trademark attorney before joining the University of Rochester. Col earned their Doctor of Education from the University of Rochester, Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo Law School, and their Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from the College at Brockport. As an attorney, Col focused their pro bono practice on assisting transgender and gender expansive folks to obtain name changes. 

Col is passionate about educating allies and working to create an environment that allows all people to live their lives safely, happily, and authentically. As part of the team at the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center, Col is excited to work with the future members and leaders of the LGBTQ community.

To schedule an appointment with Col Raimond visit: https://calendly.com/col-raimond.

Placeholder image of Paul Burgett sticker.

Nicholas Morales

he/him/his

Assistant Director, Student Activity Programs

Office Location
305F Douglass Commons
Telephone
(585) 274-1985
Headshot of Sophie Watkins.

Sophie Watkins

she/they

Assistant Director, LGBTQ Life

Office Location
305B Douglass Commons
Telephone
(585) 275-5664