Samuels named Matrix Center director at UCCS

Samuels

Dena Samuels, assistant professor of Women’s and Ethnic Studies Program at UCCS, was recently named director of The Matrix Center for the Advancement of Social Equity and Inclusion.

The Matrix Center examines the intersections of gender, race/ethnicity, and sexuality as they interact with each other and with other dimensions of privilege, oppression, and inequality. As director, Samuels will focus on programming, providing and coordinating workshops and trainings, expanding community outreach and fundraising.

Abby Ferber, professor in the Department of Sociology and Women’s and Ethnic Studies Program, will serve as associate director. She will remain editor of the open-access, peer-reviewed journal, “Understanding and Dismantling Privilege,” and direct the Matrix Center’s graduate certificate program. Previously, Ferber served as director.

Moselle Bernal, project manager, Women’s and Ethnic Studies Program, will assist Samuels and Ferber.

“My goal for the Matrix Center is to continue the great work that Abby (Ferber) has done to build this unique organization,” Samuels said. “It has become a consistent entity that local, regional, and national communities can count on to provide intersectional social justice programming, workshops and resources in an effort to affect learning and change.”