Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit

Friday, May 20

President Marlon WhiteEagle

Marlon WhiteEagle is the President of the Ho-Chunk Nation, a federally recognized tribe based in Wisconsin but whose traditional land spreads throughout the Midwest.

WhiteEagle became President of the Ho-Chunk Nation in June 2019 and is currently serving his first four-year term. Prior to becoming President, he was the Editor of the Hocak Worak, the Ho-Chunk Nation’s tribal newspaper. The Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) has recognized WhiteEagle with numerous awards and accolades for his editorial work, photography and sports reporting.

As President, he advocates for developing future leaders through comprehensive education and providing opportunities for both personal and professional growth. WhiteEagle has also increased accountability and transparency by standardizing the latest technology within the tribal organization. He has partnered with Cisco WebEx to increase virtual participation in governmental meetings and engagements which proved indispensable during the outset of the coronavirus pandemic.

President WhiteEagle is a Marine Corps veteran, a husband, a father and has two French Bulldogs. He lives and works in Black River Falls, Wisconsin where the Ho-Chunk Nation is headquartered.

Tia Richardson

Tia Richardson is a full-time community mural artist based in her hometown of Milwaukee, WI and beyond. In 2003 she graduated with an Associates degree in Graphic Design from Milwaukee Area Technical College. Since 2007 her work has evolved into collaborative mural efforts that offer many community members from all walks of life a chance to freely express their feelings.

Tia has completed over 50 murals in partnership with non-profits, K-12 and post-secondary schools, businesses and local government. She was awarded Artist of the Year by the Milwaukee Arts Board in 2018.

She believes in the power of shared experience to create a sense of belonging and mutual appreciation of what we each can contribute to the bigger whole to make it better. Documentation of her efforts in the news, print, tv and film shows evidence how, despite our differences, we can work together for the common good.

Saturday, May 21

Alejandro Larios Mora PhD, DVM, DACVP

Alejandro Larios Mora was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. His parents moved to the U.S. when he was a small child and he grew up in Anaheim, California. He attended California Polytechnic University and received a bachelor degree in Animal Science and Biotechnology. He also received his DVM and PhD degrees from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP). His research is in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection in a neonatal lamb model for use in therapeutic testing. After completing his education, he worked as a diagnostic pathologist at Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. He now resides in Madison, Wisconsin, and works as a toxicological pathologist for Labcorp Early Development.

Japannah Kellogg MRC

Japannah Kellogg currently reports to the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs at Iowa State University, serving as the Director of the unique and strategically positioned NCORE-ISCORE Office at Iowa State, a new role and office that provides a training and development platform through the NCORE and ISCORE experience centered on an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to engage in positive interaction and dialogue, increasing awareness, knowledge, and skills with the focus on race, ethnicity, and multicultural relations. Japannah has worked at Iowa State University since 2000, and served in various roles, starting as a Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO) for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, before his position as Director of the TRiO Student Support Services Program. From 2005-2007, he served as the Interim Director of Multicultural Student Affairs.

Japannah received his masters’ degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and obtained his undergraduate degree in Sociology and Physical Education at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota.

Throughout the past 20 years, Japannah has worked with a committed team of volunteers who have helped the NCORE-ISCORE Project become a national flagship project in Student Affairs. Each year, the Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity has increased attendance and value to the student, staff, and faculty experience. The 2017 NCORE cohort was an example of the university’s trust and confidence in the project supporting the largest delegation of students, faculty, and staff at the national conference (85 participants) and in the project’s history. Japannah continues to engage with the campus community to determine new direction and opportunities for the project’s future.

Latonia Craig EdD

Dr. Latonia Craig leads the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine as the Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence. Dr. Craig has devoted most of her career to providing educational programs in social change and changing the conversation from diversity and inclusion to inclusive excellence. In her current role, she drives the development of DEI programming and initiatives, modeling innovative practices with a social justice lens and infusing a “sense of belonging” into the culture of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Craig offers a unique blend of leadership, vision, and knowledge. Dr. Craig’s proven track record for executing excellence, driving innovative results, and championing progressive change. Through her leadership, Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine received the 2021 and 2020 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award for being a top college for diversity in the health professions, and the 2021 and 2019 Insight to Diversity magazine award for “Inspiring Programs in Stem” for “Vet Up!”, a nationally recognized program that targets underrepresented populations interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Craig strategically leads the office to increase diversity beyond the numbers by building meaningful relationships across the globe. Dr. Craig has been featured on the cover of Today’s Woman Magazine and as a Top Forty under 40 professional in Louisville Business First’s Magazine. Latonia holds a Doctor of Education degree from Spalding University, a Master’s Degree in Urban Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati, a Masters in Pan-African Studies, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Louisville.

UW-Madison SVM VOICE Chapter

VOICE is a student-run organization that seeks to increase awareness, respect, and sensitivity to differences among all individuals and communities in the field of veterinary medicine. VOICE also aims to celebrate diversity within our profession, to encourage campus environments that embrace diversity and promote the success of all students, and to emphasize the importance of cross-cultural awareness in veterinary medicine in order to meet the needs of our diversifying clientele. Lastly, in order to ensure a more diverse future for veterinary medicine, VOICE chapters provide leadership and mentorship to youth, particularly those from underrepresented and minoritized backgrounds, who are interested in careers as veterinarians.

Teresa Graham Brett JD

Dr. Teresa Graham Brett currently serves as the Interim Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine.  In this role she has been in a leader in infusing DEI topics throughout the veterinary medicine curriculum.  Dr. Graham Brett is a two-time graduate of the University of Arizona, with a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate. She has spent her higher education career primarily leading social justice education, diversity, and inclusion programs. In particular, she has developed a passion and experience in intergroup dialogue processes and transformative learning.