Associate dean of the college for programs of access and inclusion appointed

Khristina Gonzalez was appointed associate dean of the college for programs of access and inclusion last Thursday.

The appointment comes at the same time as a similar appointment of an associate dean for diversity in the Graduate School.

Gonzalez is the former associate director of the University's Writing Center and oversees the Freshman Scholars Institute, among her various roles at the University. Before arriving on campus, Gonzalez served as an assistant director of the Writing Center atBrown University, where she earned a doctorate in English.

Despite the new title within the Office of the Dean of the College, Gonzalez's job is not a completely new position and not a reaction to any specific events, said Claire Fowler, senior associate dean of the college who was a part of the hiring process for the position.

Gonzalez will work on a number of different inclusivity and access programs, consult with students and help to make the campus aware of diversity and inclusivity efforts underway, Fowler said.

Gonzalez's warmth, enthusiasm and her great ideas about how to make Princeton a more inclusive place make her the best person for the job, Fowler said.

Gonzalez said she is hopeful for the improvement of the University’s social environment.

“[I want to] find ways to ensure that we make Princeton a place that is welcoming and supportive to all of our students and a place that students feel that their voices are valued and heard,” Gonzalez said, adding that one of her primary goals is to help students take advantage of everything the University has to offer. "Some members of our community have felt marginalized on campus, and we want to change that."

Charles Argon '17, a Writing Center fellow, said his interactions with Gonzalez had been nothing but positive.

“She made the Writing Center a great place to work,” Argon said. “[She] actually listens to what’s going on among fellows and changes things based on that.”

Other students interviewed said they realized a balance had to be struck between the extent of the University's resources and helping to improve the experiences of students who have been the recipients of discriminatory remarks and behavior.

Brett Ascher ’18 said she believed it was difficult for the University to handle the student’s displeasure with recent Yik Yak commentary and the controversy over the Urban Congo performance.

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“I think this situation was somewhat mismanaged, but I don’t think there’s any way for the University to know the consequences that it was going to have,” she said.

Rachel Lurie '18 said she has noticed that some students do not feel entirely secure and welcome on campus, an issue that Gonzalez could help to address in her new role.

“It does seem to me that there are students who feel uncomfortable, and so that would make me think that there are more steps that could be taken to reduce that and to make sure that everyone feel safe and included,” she said.