Green Dot Team

→ Andrea Greve Coello: Andrea is the associate athletics director for Student-Athlete Development & Inclusion. She joined the Green Dot team because she was excited about the cross-campus collaborative approach of Green Dot. She is also excited about these efforts knowing that the initiative came from our student body!

→ Andy Saigh: Andy is a social media specialist for University Relations. 

→ Bart Schmitz: Bart is the program manager for the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center.

→ Brenda White: Brenda is an investigator in the Office of Civil Rights Compliance. She joined the Green Dot team to help bring education and awareness to UNI’s campus about how it is everyone’s responsibility to create a positive campus culture, and all it takes is small acts from every person. Her favorite UNI tradition is the Rainbow Reception and Lavender Graduation! 

→ Brian Warby: Brian is an associate professor in the political science departments. He chose to join the Green Dot team because he wants our students to be safe and he believes in our ability to shift the culture on campus. His favorite building is Sabin Hall.

→ Charity Eckhardt: Charity is the study abroad program coordinator for the University’s Study Abroad Center. Charity became a Green Dot facilitator because she believes in the program's potential to bring positive change. One of the premises of the program is that every small, positive action makes a difference - for Charity, becoming a facilitator was one such step. She looks forward to teaching others about how their actions can make a difference in the lives of others! She really enjoys being a part of orientation for new students and sharing information on study abroad opportunities. Over the years, Charity has gotten to speak with countless students as they are learning about all the cool things they get to experience at UNI. Starting UNI is such an exciting new chapter and the energy during orientation is always amazing. Her favorite place to be on campus is anywhere outdoors on a beautiful fall day. The campus is so lovely during the fall! 

→ Christopher Kowalski: Christopher is a professor in the Health, Recreation & Community Services department. 

→ David Hernandez-Saca: David is an associate professor in the Department of Special Education. David chose to become a facilitator for Green Dot because his mother and siblings experienced domestic violence when he and his siblings were children. This experience shaped who his family is today—empathetic, caring, and brave individuals committed to preventing domestic violence in our homes and in our world. David’s favorite UNI traditions are the Fall Faculty and College of Education (COE) Retreats, as well as the commencement ceremonies in December and May. The start of a new academic year, combined with the positive energy of bringing the entire university and COE faculty and staff together, which is uplifting. Witnessing the accomplishments of our graduates and teacher candidates across various programs and seeing the UNI community come together is truly wonderful and inspiring. Within both traditions, we get to also spend time together reflecting on our past, present, and future individual goals and accomplishments which is truly centered on our personal, professional, and programmatic growth. His favorite places on campus are the Schindler Education Center since he spends most of his time there as an Associate Professor of Disability Studies in Education within the Department of Special Education, and the beautiful campus grounds, especially while walking among our magnificent trees.

→ Emmett Cory: Emmett is an admissions counselor for Admissions. He joined the Green Dot team in order to contribute to maintaining a culture of nonviolence at UNI. He completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology here at UNI. His favorite UNI traditions are Rainbow Reception and the homecoming parade. 

→ Fernando Calderon: Fernando is an associate professor in the history department and graduate coordinator.

→ Gwenne Berry: Gwenne is the assistant director for community impact in UNI-CUE. Gwenne became a facilitator because of the way Green Dot creates community. Gwenne loved the idea that anyone could -- and should -- talk about sexual assault, and that it could be done in a way that did not accuse or cause emotional harm. The Green Dot approach gives us tools for discussing this very delicate topic in a way that works for the particular moment in time. Participants walk away well-equipped to approach, intervene and interrupt, all in ways that work for them. On top of all that, you don't hear about Green Dot once a year; there always are activities that highlight the organization and its goals.  It's not really what you'd call a "tradition," but she absolutely loves the first couple weeks of fall semester, when the students return to campus. She loves hearing squeals of joy from friends who haven't seen one another all summer, the look of wonder on the faces of first-year students, the happy chatter of people making new friends, and that feeling in the air that absolutely anything can happen! Gwenne’s favorite place on campus is really…everywhere. She enjoys looking at and learning about the plants near the greenhouse, sitting in the adirondack chairs near the Campanile, reading the names on the bricks outside the CME, admiring the architecture of UNI’s more seasoned buildings and browsing the books (especially the old Sears catalogs!) in the library.

→ Janine Baeza: Janine is the associate director of freshman recruitment and access for the Admissions Office. Janine wanted to facilitate Green Dot because it's a really empowering program, showing students that we all play a role in violence prevention and building a better UNI community. Janine’s favorite UNI tradition is visiting the Botanical Center. Her favorite place on campus is the Maucker Union food court.

→ Jayda Baumhover: Jayda is a student care specialist for the Dean of Students Office. Jayda chose to become a Green Dot facilitator to empower students to create change and offer them tools and resources to do so. There's no one, singular way to end power-based interpersonal violence on our campus, but fostering a campus culture that looks out for their peers, shares that Panthers don't tolerate power-based interpersonal violence, and offers participants feasible options to create the change they wish to see is important and meaningful work. Jayda’s favorite UNI Tradition isn't a tradition per se but... UNI Dining's pumpkin bars will ALWAYS have a special place in her heart. Her favorite place on campus is the Tree Room in Rod Library. 

→ Jenny Connolly: Jenny is the director of advising for the College of Education’s Academic Advising & Teacher Education Success department. She chose to be a Green Dot Facilitator because she is always interested in learning new skills to help support students. Her favorite UNI tradition is Campaniling…but she has not been in a decade or two. 😊 If Jenny had to pick a favorite place on campus, outside of her office, then she would choose the Library. When she wants quiet, she can find it, when she wants interaction, she can find it and when she wants food…she can find it!

→ Jessica (Moon) Asa: Jessica is the director of the Honors & Scholars Programs. She joined the Green Dot team because she loved the idea of people from varied areas and responsibilities on campus all coming together to proactively build a safer campus community. Her favorite building on campus is Seerley Hall because of how beautiful it is all lit up at night!

→ Jesus Lizarraga-Estrada: Jesus is the director of Student Success & Retention. He joined the Green Dot team to create a paradigm shift in the institutional culture in order to ensure a safe campus environment for students, faculty and staff. To ensure that we are proactive in our approach and not reactive. His favorite thing about UNI is the students. "They are the driving factor of why I love what I do and remind me of why I do what I do."

→ Josh Farris: Josh is a campus programs coordinator for Student Involvement & Event Services. Josh chose to be a Green Dot facilitator because he is passionate about educating students and making a difference on campus. Josh’s favorite UNI tradition is attending the Maucker Union Live! His favorite place on campus is the Maucker Union.

→ Justin Mertz: Justin Mertz is an assistant professor in the School of Music as well as associate director of bands at UNI. "I joined the Green Dot team because during my career in higher education it became clear to me that this issue was one of growing importance and I wanted to see what part I could play to help. One of my favorite things about the UNI campus is how easy it is to see, in every school, college and department on campus, how committed everyone is to student success."

→ Kaili Benham: Kaili is a student health & well-being coordinator for Student Wellness Services. Kaili chose to become a facilitator for Green Dot because she believes everyone has the right to feel and be safe, and that everyone can play a part in making that happen. Kaili previously worked as an advocate in a DV shelter, and once an advocate, always an advocate. Her favorite UNI tradition is Panther Welcome and Welcome Weeks. New students and so many fun events to engage with them at. She just loves the energy at the start of each academic year. Her favorite place to be on campus is the Botanical Center. Kaili gets giddy about plants that she has never seen before!

→ Kaylee Michelson: Kaylee is the assistant director for the Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Deputy Title IX Coordinator. She chose to join the Green Dot team because she wanted to be a part of creating a positive campus culture for current and future members of the UNI community. Her favorite building on campus the is the Maucker Union, more specifically sitting on top of the Maucker Union on a nice summer day.

→ Kristina Kofoot: Kristina is the assistant director for Community Engagement as well as an instructor for the Health, Recreation & Community Services department. Kristina wanted to be a facilitator because she had heard about the program on campus and was invited to participate as a facilitator. Kristina was excited for the opportunity to learn more and to help make a difference across campus. Every voice helps. Her favorite UNI tradition is wearing purple on Fridays!  She loves the opportunity to show her love for UNI’s purple and gold. Kristina’s favorite place on campus is Rod library. It’s the perfect mix of a great place to work/meet and run into folks.

→ Leah Gutknecht: Leah is the assistant to the president for the Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX Coordinator. She joined the Green Dot team because NISG endorsed Green Dot as UNI’s organized effort to prioritize gender violence prevention for students, and she loved the passion and enthusiasm for such an important topic! Her favorite place to get food on campus is anywhere that they’re selling the UNI Bakery frosted sugar cookies!

→ Linda DeBarthe: Linda is an instructor in the Accounting department. Linda chose to be a facilitator because she believes students need to feel safe in order to learn. Linda’s favorite place on campus is her classroom, hanging out with her students.

→ Mike Tate: Mike is an academic advisor for the College of Education’s Academic Advising & Teacher Education Success department. Mike chose to be a facilitator for Green Dot because every human being deserves a place where they can feel safe. He hasn't been in Iowa long enough to know what the traditions of UNI are, but his favorite place on campus is the grassy fields near the Campanile. It’s a great place to relax and soak in the atmosphere.

→ Molly Taiber: Molly is the compliance specialist for the Office of Civil Rights Compliance. Molly is a facilitator for Green Dot because she finds the conversations participants have at training sessions to be empowering. She believes we all can help in situations where intervention can stop harmful behavior and choices. Molly enjoys walking campus and seeing everyone out and about. 

→ Nichole Zumbach Harken: Nichole is an instructor for the Department of Communication & Media. As someone who has a 20-year career in teaching, Nikki pays special attention to what students share with her.  Once Nikki discovered NISG was Green Dot, it was an easy choice to make.  This effort is coming from students - it's something they think is important.  Additionally, as a faculty member she recognizes that she is front-line. Nikki sees students and engages with them weekly (sometimes daily), it's important for her to be able to help create safe spaces for all, which is why she became a facilitator. Her favorite UNI tradition are the squirrels. Seriously, she can sit all day and watch those little buggers. Nikki’s office looks out over central campus - so her favorite place is there.  She loves watching seasons change from her window.  She watches the tops of the trees turn to orange and amber and then become empty only to be replaced by gently falling snowflakes.  Then as everything wakes from its slumber she sees the slow greening and blooming of campus.  Nikki wouldn't change her view for anything!

→ Oksana Grybovych Haferman: Oksana is the chief of staff for Board & Governmental Relations.

→ Sam Hospodarsky: Sam is a student success coordinator for Student Success & Retention. She wanted to be a Green Dot Facilitator because she firmly believes in the mission of preventing violence on our campus and making UNI a safe place for all. Panther Welcome and Welcome Week are her favorite UNI Traditions. There is so much fun and excitement during the first weeks of the school year. Sam’s favorite place on campus is in a purple or gold chair out by the Campanile; especially when someone from the Guild of Carillonneurs is playing!

→ Shelley O’Connell: Shelley is the assistant to vice president planning and assessment for Student Affairs. Shelley chose to be a facilitator because in her own experience, she has seen students impacted by dating violence. Shelley wants to be someone who makes a positive difference on our campus by bringing awareness that we can all intercede if we have the right information and tools. Her favorite UNI tradition is TC and TK, and UNI’s Greenhouse is her favorite place on campus.

→ Shelley Price-Williams: Shelley is an assistant professor for the Department of Educational Psychology, Foundations, & Leadership Studies. Shelley attended a Green Dot session at a prior university and thought her teaching experience might be useful as a facilitator as it is a highly valuable program. Shelley’s favorite place on campus is the library.

→ Terri Crumley: Terri is the director of Admissions. Terri wants all students to feel safe on campus and to understand how they can help each other stay safe by knowing their resources and how to be an active bystander, which is why she chose to be a facilitator. While perhaps not a tradition per se, Panther Welcome and Welcome Week -- when all the students arrive on campus -- is her favorite time of year! Terri loves walking around campus, especially Lawther Field and the flower gardens outside the Botanical Center. 

Green Dot Graduate Assistant

→ This position oversees program planning, scheduling trainings and events, and assists with campus outreach to ensure culture change on campus.