Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) recently welcomed two new members to its team to lead its ongoing commitment to making its campuses a place for all.

Dr. Stephanie R. Allen has been named the new Director of Equity, Diversity and Belonging and Yamilet Reyes, is the Program Coordinator of Equity, Diversity and Belonging. The two will be leading several initiatives this academic year, including events like safe space training sessions, the President’s Symposium on Diversity and the President’s Advisory Council on Equity and Social Justice, which Dr. Allen chairs.

“It’s important for me to ensure people feel seen, uplifted and empowered. I try to live that way in my professional life and my personal life as well,” said Dr. Allen. “It’s really important. Students will oftentimes say ‘When I walked on campus, it felt like home. I knew I was supposed to be here.’ My goal is to make sure every day feels like that. You’re supposed to be here.”

“I want everyone at Montco to feel they can be themselves,” said Reyes. “They don’t need to drop their identities at the door.”

Dr. Allen holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a master’s degree in Counseling Education from West Chester University. She received a doctorate from Widener University in Higher Education Administration and Leadership. She has worked in higher education for more than 15 years in both public and private settings, including several four-year institutions.

“I’ve been extremely passionate about education, ever since I was a very little girl, especially higher education,” said Dr. Allen. “I used to hide in the little corners of my family home and fill out prospect cards for colleges when I was 8 and 9 years old. My mom used to always tell me ‘You cannot go to college yet.’”

Her passion for diversity grew after she was named the assistant director for multicultural recruitment and community outreach at West Chester University.

“It has grown over time, as I have become more comfortable in my identity as a woman, as a woman of color, as a mom—all these pieces that define who I am,” she said. “It is so important for people to be their authentic selves, no matter who they are, no matter how they identify.”

Dr. Allen believes that the guiding principle of her new role is simple and powerful.

“It will always come down to treating people kindly,” she said.

Reyes is a recent double graduate from West Chester University, having received a bachelor’s degree in Women’s and Gender Studies and a master’s in Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs. A Reading, Pa. native, Reyes’s role will be student facing. She’s committed to helping students feel welcome and appreciated.

“I’m focused on helping students feel a sense of belonging, and developing safe spaces on campus,” she said. “They can be a place where they know if they need to rest or if they want to get involved with Montco, they will always feel they can be themselves.”