JAYKE HAMILL has been a student at ETSU since 2007, and is a Human Services major with a triple minor in Leadership Studies, Women's Studies, and Social Work.  Although he is a New Jersey native, he has spent the majority of his life in East Tennessee and recognizes the need for cultural competence and understanding within our region. "It is natural instinct to put your guard up around people with unfamiliar traits-who come across as having a different background or way of life. I have always had a huge interest in learning about people who were different than I am.  I have a deep appreciation and respect for individuals and groups who identify with a culture separate from my own, and try to gain as much of an understanding about them as possible.  Breaking down cultural barriers and biases is a personal passion; I try to reflect this ideology on to the people around me, as it's one of the beneficial and rewarding skills a human being can possess."  Jayke is the President of the Human Services Student Organization, a Senator on the Student Government Association, a member of the ETSU Diversity Events Committee,, and is recognized as an ETSU  Quillen Scholar.  He plans to graduate in May of 2013 and then to pursue a Masters Degree in Counseling.

PRATIK GOVAN is a senior majoring in Finance.  A recent Who's Who recipient, Pratik has been involved in the Student Government Association, Diversity Events Committee, Preview and Orientation Leaders Organization and fraternity life just to name a few.  "I wanted to become a Diversity Educator because I want to Learn more about others and what makes us all similar and different.  I also want to share my experiences and what I have learned with the ETSU Community.  I have loved my time at ETSU and being a Diversity Educator has just made my experience that much better."

DONTE BRABSON is from Maryville, TN and a graduate of Maryville High School.  Donte began at ETSU majoring in Exercise Science and Pre-Physical Therapy in the fall of 2009.  He is currently a part of several organizations including Black Affairs, Gospel Choir, Quest, Diversity Events Committee, NAACP, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.  "I became a Diversity Educator because I have been victimized by racism several times and I want people to know more about diversity and the challenges that people of all races face.  It's not just my own race of African descent, but other races are also discriminated against.  Also, I want to spread how important it is to understand people's orientation and gender.  There are so many cases of people getting mistreated everyday just because of their orientation and gender, but it seems no one is wanting to do anything about it.  I feel strongly about this topic as well as race because my best friend is gay, treating all people with respect is what I want to spread to everyone.  I love diversity and I want everyone else to understand it and want to spread it not just here on campus, but in the community and the world."

IQRA AHMAD is a junior Honors-in-Discipline student majoring in Biology and International Affairs.  Of Pakistani descent Iqra was born in Queens, NY.  She loves to travel and recently traveled to the Netherlands and Singapore representing the school.  Iqra has served as a Senator in the Student Government Association since her freshmen year, is assistant student director of President's Pride, is vice president of Tri-Beta Honors Society, is a Preview and Orientation Leader, is a mentor with Rise Up, and medical professions advisement navigator.  "Being involved on campus has transformed me into the person I am, and being chosen as a Diversity Educator has been an honor.  Serving others and just knowing that I might have helped some one or even made them smile brings peace to my soul.  I believe that no one should be treated any differently because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or for anything that makes them the person they are.  Growing up as a minority, teaching equality and creating awareness has become a passion of mine.  I always tell people, before you judge put yourself in the other's shoes.  Everyone's fighting their own battle so have a heart."

TYLER FINOCCHIO was born in the desert of Fort Irwin, CA.  "I've survived the heat of the California desert and the bitter cold of the Alaska tundra, but Kingsport, TN is where I call home."  He graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 2009.  He immediately enrolled at ETSU and participates in the Honors-in-Discipline in Chemistry program.  He is currently a senior pursuing a degree in chemistry with a minor in psychology.  He was also recently admitted into the ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy class of 2016.  In addition to his academics, Tyler currently serves as a co-president of LGBTies, the campus Gay-Straight Alliance.  "My experience with LGBTQ inequities has allowed me to see the many racial, gender, and religious inequalities that still exist in our society.  I joined the Diversity Educators because I want to see a change where people are not judged by their differences, but that those differences are embraced and celebrated.  I appreciate the opportunity this program gives me to educate my peers on the many issues of diversity, and hope to inspire others to take part in the movement toward a hate-free society."

KRISTI JEFFERS grew up in Oneida, TN and graduated from Scott High School in 2009.  Kristi is majoring in History at ETSU with minors in Secondary Education, Political Science, and economics.  She hopes to teach Social Studies on the secondary level.  Kristi is involved with a variety of Honor Societies and clubs on campus; she serves as vice president of the Economics Club and Treasurer of Student Tennessee Education Association.  "I became involved with the Diversity Educators Program primarily to increase my own knowledge about diversity issues.  I also hope to share my knowledge with others to help them become aware of diversity."

SHAE KEANE is a Women's Studies major, philosophy minor, studying Spanish, and preparing for international human rights work.  "I first began to perceive the beauty and importance of diversity after having traveled to Ecuador on an ETSU study abroad trip the summer after my freshmen year.  Pursuing opportunities aboard have been the best decisions I have ever made.  I've been able to see the way in which societies develop differently all over the world.  It immediately sparked a passion, and has become central to my life, particularly after studying the way in which difference has been made a crime throughout the history of humanity, genocides, wars, discrimination, and civil inequality.  I am a diversity educator to dedicate my life to facilitation the process by which people can view "difference" with eyes of appreciation and understanding, rather than fear and hatred."

Evan Baker  was born in the rolling hills of Washington County, Virginia.  He graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 2005. "I transferred to ETSU in the spring of 2008, to pursue my Bachelors' in Social Work. I graduated in 2010, and went straight into my MSW program. I was inducted into the Phi Alpha Honor Society during my undergrad program. My focus in both my BSW and my MSW studies has been on child welfare." In addition to his academics as an undergrad Evan was president of LGBTieS, the campus Gay-Straight Alliance, for two years.  He has been involved with the Diversity Educators for four semesters and is a member of the Diversity Events Committee.  Evan described a motivating force behind his work in diversity education is his understanding that, "no one is equal until we are all equal."

Kayla Henderson is a second year student in the criminal justice program here at ETSU.  She is originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Kayla says, "I like to stay pretty active with a variety of hobbies including hiking, skateboarding, writing, and painting."  Kayla expressed her motivation to become a diversity educator because she wanted to a part of something larger than herself.  "I joined the diversity educators this past fall because of my passion for making others aware of social inequalities. I am extremely passionate about gender, LGBTQ, and racial inequalities. In the future, I hope to put what I have gained in the program to use in the criminal justice field and fight for people who may not have a voice in society."

Johnny Krause is a Miami, FL and Crossville, TN native but now lives in Johnson City, TN.  He is a senior Mass Communication major and is receiving a minor in Speech Communication.  Johnny is very active on campus and currently serves as the Secretary of External Affairs for the Student Government Association (the is also the Social Networking Chair for the Relay for Life Committee and the Public Relations Chair for the Homecoming Committee).  He is also an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America, Preview and Orientation Leader Organization, the ETSU Chorale, and the ETSU Opera Program.  Johnny says he became a Diversity Educator because, "I enjoy learning about differences in people and embracing them.  I feel that everyone should feel respected about who they are and what they believe in.  My experience with this program has been very influential in my experience here at ETSU and I have enjoyed every moment of it."

James Stukes was born and raised in Sumter, South Carolina and moved to Johnson City, TN in 2005.  While at East Tennessee State University he majored in history with a minor in secondary education.  James said, "I wanted to become a diversity educator because I wanted to make a difference on campus and work with the many great groups the campus has to offer.  Diversity is not understood nor accepted by many and I wanted to change that by educating students on the benefits of living in a diverse world and learning on a diverse campus.  I have met many great people through my experience and I am proud to have been apart of such a dynamic group."