My Team

Rev. Michael A. Hunt

Rev. Michael A. Hunt

Rev. Michael A. Hunt, a native of Baltimore, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and his Master of Divinity from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael has served as a university/college administrator, middle & high school math instructor, musical vocalist, and social justice educator, shaping the lives of today’s leaders. His life’s work, for the past twenty years, focuses on Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) within institutional structures by encouraging radical inclusion through social justice engagement & holistic partnerships. Also, Michael has returned to his alma mater as the Director of the UMBC McNair Scholars Program, working to increase underrepresented and underserved, first-generation, and low-income students’ attainment of research-based doctoral degrees. His personal research interest seeks to bridge spirituality and STEM education by providing culturally nuanced resources for increasing self-esteem and promoting holistic critical mentoring. Michael is completing his PhD. at UMBC in the Language, Literacy, and Culture (LLC) Program. He embraces daily the belief that “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain.”

Erica Dotson

Research Technician

Erica Dotson is from Wagoner, Oklahoma. She graduated from Northeastern State University with a B.S. in Psychology in May of 2022. During her time at NSU, she also minored in chemistry and criminal justice. Her career goals include attending medical
school, specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry, and working in tribal healthcare in Oklahoma. In her free time, she enjoys
painting landscapes, cooking for her friends and family, and taking road trips.

Erica Dotson

Research Technician

Keynote Address

Dr. Valdez provides dynamic and engaging keynote addresses to audiences of all sizes, small and large. Speaking on a variety of topics from diversity and inclusion to STEM diversity to graduate school applications, Dr. Valdez can provide a keynote address tailored to meet your conference, college/university, or corporate needs. Here are few examples of keynote addresses Dr. Valdez has delivered:

• The Nonlinear Path to Success
• Diversity as a Mindset
• Why Diversity Matters in the Workplace
• The Scientist’s Guide to Success
• Empowering Women in STEM
• Diversifying STEM
• Applying to Graduate School
• PhD? Why Not Me!

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Tailored Workshops & Trainings

Dr. Valdez has developed a number of creative workshops that utilize active learning and embrace the University Design for Learning theory. She believes that learning happens when we engage and interact with materials and is able to provide workshops and trainings that use many different modes of media. The workshops and trainings Dr. Valdez has created can be designed to meet the needs of the audience type such as staff members, faculty, students, or mixed audiences. Each workshop or training will be tailored for your event. Below are some examples of workshops and trainings Dr. Valdez has created and facilitated:

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion



Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)



Applying to Graduate School


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Don’t see what you need? Dr. Valdez can create a workshop or training for you! Contact Dr. Valdez with details of what you need for your event.
Panelist & Moderator

Over the past decade, Dr. Valdez has served on and moderated countless panels. As a panelist, Dr. Valdez believes in sharing the stage with her colleagues and aims to keep Q&A responses brief to allow for attendees to ask their questions during the panel. As a moderator, Dr. Valdez organizes conference calls with the panelists in advance of the meeting or event to manage the expectations of the organizers with the participating panelists, go over formatting, and review the content that will be covered. Here are a few examples of topics Dr. Valdez has been invited to participate in as a panelist or moderator:

• Supporting Diverse Campuses
• Diversity Officers in Higher Education
• Higher Education Administration Paths
• Career Paths
• Women in STEM
• People of Color in STEM
• PhD Panel
• Choosing a Thesis/Dissertation Advisor
• Funding Graduate Education


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Roundtable Discussions

Over the past decade, Dr. Valdez has served on and moderated countless panels. As a panelist, Dr. Valdez believes in sharing the stage with her colleagues and aims to keep Q&A responses brief to allow for attendees to ask their questions during the panel. As a moderator, Dr. Valdez organizes conference calls with the panelists in advance of the meeting or event to manage the expectations of the organizers with the participating panelists, go over formatting, and review the content that will be covered. Here are a few examples of topics Dr. Valdez has been invited to participate in as a panelist or moderator: 

 


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