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Meet the Staff

 

E. Valarie Ghant
Director 
Center for Multicultural Student Services 

170 Bluestone Drive Warren 245 Harrisonburg, VA 22807  540/568-6636 (phone)  540/568-3360 (fax)  ghantev@jmu.edu

Valarie joined the CMSS staff in June 2006 as Associate Director for the Center and was appointed to the position of Director in July 2008. Her primary duties as director include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Center including planning and coordinating CMSS programming, supervision, budget, departmental collaboration, and community outreach in Harrisonburg and the surrounding areas. She has a passion for people and is committed to encouraging students to reach their fullest potential.

In her free time she enjoys reading, shopping, beading, traveling and spending time with family.

 

 
Associate Director 
Center for Multicultural Student Services 

170 Bluestone Drive Warren 245 Harrisonburg, VA 22807  540/568-6636 (phone)  540/568-3360 (fax)

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Tenea J. Lowery
Assistant Director, Multicultural Programming
Center for Multicultural Student Services 

170 Bluestone Drive Warren 245 Harrisonburg, VA 22807 540/568-6636 (phone) 540/568-3360 (fax) lowerytj@jmu.edu

Tenea joined the CMSS staff November 2008 as the Assistant Director for Multicultural Programming and Greek Life. Her primary duties include advising CMSS's traditional African American, Asian, Latino, and Service fraternities and sororities, Inter-Cultural Greek Council, Homecoming Step Show, Martin Luther King, Jr. Week and multicultural programming and supervision to the Graduate Assistants.  Tenea enjoys working with students and helping them realize their full potential.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, friends and traveling.

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LaNita Weisenberger
Assistant Director, Multicultural Programming  
Center for Multicultural Student Services 

170 Bluestone Drive Warren 245 Harrisonburg, VA 22807 540/568-6636 (phone) 540/568-3360 (fax) weisenls@jmu.edu

LaNita joined the CMSS staff in November 2011 as the Assistant Director for Multicultural Programming. Her primary responsibilities include the coordination of the Attaché Program, Alternative Spring Break (ASB) and various experiential learning  trips geared toward exposing and educating members of the JMU community to various cultures. LaNita is passionate about working with students as well as promoting the value of diversity and multiculturalism on a local and global perspective.

In her spare time, she enjoys performing  spoken word poetry and spending time with her family and friends.

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Sharon Purzycki
Office Manager
Center for Multicultural Student Services

170 Bluestone Drive Warren 245 Harrisonburg, VA 22807 540/568-6636 (phone) 540/568-3360 (fax) purzycst@jmu.edu

Sharon joined the CMSS staff on September 22, 2003. She monitors and prepares the budgets and oversees the computer networking for the Center. She assists the Director with the day-to-day operations of the Center and fiscal management for multicultural programming.

In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with family.

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Dianne Nibblins
Administrative Assistant

Center for Multicultural Student Services 

170 Bluestone Drive Warren 245 Harrisonburg, VA 22807 540/568-6636 (phone) 540/568-3360 (fax) nibblidk@jmu.edu

Dianne joined the CMSS staff in November, 2008 as Administrative Assistant. She provides reception, administrative and clerical support to the Center. She serves as a link between the Center, JMU community, students, faculty, and staff.

Outside of the office, she enjoys gardening and spending quality time with her family.

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Alan Jones
Graduate Assistant, Multicultural Programming 
Center for Multicultural Student Services 

170 Bluestone Drive Warren 245 Harrisonburg, VA 22807 540/568-6636 (phone) 540/568-3360 (fax)  jones4al@jmu.edu

Alan joined the CMSS staff in August 2012 as a Graduate Assistant for Multicultural Programming.  He is a first year graduate student in the Public Administration program.  His primary duties include co-coordinating Def Poetry Jam, Martin Luther King, Jr. Formal Program, serving as a liaison to various student organizations, and assisting with additional multicultural programming.  Alan enjoys interacting with students and helping them to become adapted to college.

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Ashley Stovall 
Graduate Assistant, Multicultural Programming  
Center for Multicultural Student Services 

170 Bluestone Drive Warren 245 Harrisonburg, VA 22807 540/568-6636 (phone) 540/568-3360 (fax) stovalak@jmu.edu

Ashley joined the CMSS staff in August 2012 as a Graduate Assistant for Multicultural Programming. She graduated from Longwood University December 2010, and is currently a first year graduate student in the College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) program at JMU. Her primary duties in CMSS include co-coordinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week, serving as a liaison to various student organizations, and assisting with other multicultural programs. 

Ashley has a passion for serving students, and supporting them throughout their college tenure. She hopes to inspire all students she encounters to lead and to serve.

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Victor Horton 
Graduate Assistant, Greek Life  
Center for Multicultural Student Services 

170 Bluestone Drive Warren 245 Harrisonburg, VA 22807 540/568-6636 (phone) 540/568-3360 (fax) hortonvl@jmu.edu

Victor Horton joined the CMSS staff in August 2012 as a Graduate Assistant for Multicultural Programming and Greek Life. Victor’s primary duties within the Center include assisting in the coordination of CMSS's Inter-Cultural Greek Council (I.C.G.C.), the Homecoming Step Show, the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week and other various multicultural programs. He is a 2010 graduate of Virginia State University and is current pursuing his graduate degree in Public Administration.

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