Meet the Staff


 

E. Valarie Ghant
Director 

Center for Multicultural Student Services 

 Valarie Ghant

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.

 

Trey Lewis
Associate Director 

Center for Multicultural Student Services 

 Trey Lewis

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

Trey joined the CMSS staff in June 2009.  His primary duties as the Associate Director include assisting in the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Center primarily including planning and coordinating CMSS programming, supervision and student leadership development.   He has a genuine commitment to positively influence students through mentorship and integrity.

In his free time he enjoys reading and spending time with family.


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

 Tenea Lowery

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.



Tracy Lanier
Assistant Director, Multicultural Programming  

Center for Multicultural Student Services 

 Tracy Lanier

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

Tracy joined the CMSS staff in July 2008 as Assistant Director of Cultural Programming. She supervises the Multicultural Attaché student employees, as well as coordinates the Experiential Learning Trips and Alternative Spring Break Trip. She loves working with students and is dedicated to providing them with new experiences for learning and growth.

Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends.



Sharon Purzycki
Office Manager
Center for Multicultural Student Services

 Sharon Purzycki

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.


Dianne Nibblins
Administrative Assistant

Center for Multicultural Student Services 

 Dianne Nibblins

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.


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

 Courtney Jones

170 Bluestone Drive
Warren 245
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
540/568-6636 (phone)
540/568-3360 (fax)
jones3cs@jmu.edu

Courtney joined the CMSS staff in August 2008 as a first year CSPA Graduate Assistant for Multicultural Programming.  Currently in her second year, she will assist with the coordination and implementation of many CMSS programs such as Martin Luther King Week, Alternative Spring Break Trip, Northeast Latino Student Leadership Conference and the National Black Student Leadership Development Conference, Spring Experiential Learning Trip.  In addition she serves as the liaison to several student organizations. She has a strong passion for working with students and helping to assist them in their development and success.

Outside of the office, she enjoys watching movies, working out, bowling, and spending time with family and friends.


Emily Jiang 
Program Assistant, Multicultural Programming  
Center for Multicultural Student Services 

 

  Emily Jiang

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

jiangnx@jmu.edu

Emily joined the CMSS staff in August 2009 as a Program Assistant for Multicultural Programming. She will serve as a liaison to several student organizations in the Center in addition to working with various programs throughout the year including the Fall Experiential Learning Trip, East Coast Asian American Student Union Conference, Diversity Career Day, Martin Luther King Week, and International Week.    Emily has a passion for working with students and helping them to reach their potentials and goals.

In her free time, she enjoys dancing, shopping, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.


Doron White
Graduate Assistant, Greek Life  
Center for Multicultural Student Services 

 Doron White

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

Doron joined the CMSS staff in January 2009 as a first year Kinesiology graduate student majoring in Sports Leadership. Currently in his second year, he serves as the Graduate Assistant for Greek Life working alongside the Assistant Director. He will assist with multicultural programming and events such as the Homecoming Step Show & After Party, Inter-Cultural Greek Council meetings, newsletter and website.  He will also be working as a liaison to several Greek-lettered student organizations under the CMSS umbrella. 

In his free time he loves to cook and spend time with family and friends.