Student Diversity Advisory Council
The Student Diversity Advisory Committee (SDAC) is a group of excited and engaged undergraduate and graduate students who represent various identities and are from a variety of backgrounds, departments and class years.
Our purpose is to provide a student voice and perspective on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice matters in the College of Fine Arts.
We will provide feedback, suggestions, and ideas for education, training, programs and outreach related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
Meet the council
Syd West
Syd West (he/him) is a student at Western Michigan University studying Vocal Performance. Syd is a senior graduating in December 2024, and has loved getting to know so many talented peers and learning from the Professors at WMU. Syd is studying to be an opera singer and vocal coach specializing in transgender singers. At WMU, he is a singer in University Chorale, and has performed in four operas as lead roles. On November 9th at 7:30pm he will be performing the role of Aeneas in Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas”. Syd's senior recital on November 24th at 5pm will feature the community choir he has helped create (the Queer Chorus of Kalamazoo) joined by many of his friends. Both performances will be in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. As a transgender man, he is passionate about creating more opportunities for music by trans and queer composers to be performed and shared. He also works at OutFront Kalamazoo as Operations Assistant. Syd is grateful to be a part of the Student Diversity Advisory Council to increase awareness about issues surrounding diversity to people in charge at WMU. You can find him on Facebook and Instagram, or around Kalamazoo.
Izzy Pratt
Hi everybody! My name is Izzy Pratt (she/they) and I am a senior double majoring in Musical Arts and Public and Nonprofit Administration, pursuing my Master’s in Public Administration through the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program. I am so grateful that I have been able to tailor my degrees to fit my specific interests and needs through the flexibility granted by the B.M.A. program.
I joined the Student Diversity Advisory Council my freshman year, inspired by the work of my dear friend, Tré Bryant. As I am graduating in December, much of my time sitting on this council is now behind me. However, I am so excited to see all of our hard work and strategic planning over the last few years come to fruition with this survey.
To me, the terms diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility represent a set of values that I strive to embody in all facets of my life, from my personal interactions to my work and everything in between. As a queer woman, my primary focus in this space is on creating safe (and brave) spaces and tying DEIA practices in with my work in event planning and operations. I feel that we need more work that supports creating and maintaining space for everybody to show up as their true selves, both in the College of Fine Arts and across campus as a whole.
Outside of my work with the council, you can often find me reading or watching Netflix in the privacy of my own room. I am quite an introvert, and love decompressing in the safe space that I have created for myself.
Sam Nieto Hernandez
My name is Sam Nieto Hernandez (any pronouns), and I am a first-year interested in applying for the Graphic Design program this upcoming spring. Being a Latino and a first-generation college student inspired me to join the Student Diversity Advisory Council. As a first-generation student, pursuing an art degree can feel like a risk, especially when there’s a pressing need to contribute financially to the family; for many immigrant families, there's a stigma around art degrees due to the stereotype that they lead to limited career opportunities. Joining SDAC allows me to represent those dealing with the same pressure. Something I am excited to contribute through my work in the council is to inspire students to share their cultures through art. With so much space and traffic among the fine arts buildings, it would be the perfect opportunity to show how universal art can be. To me, diversity, equity, and inclusion mean everyone accepting each other no matter how different we are. Everyone is treated with respect and care for each other’s cultures. Nobody is left out of an activity or event because of who they are. I am passionate about creating safe spaces and cultural events in the College of Fine Arts. I hope to make a difference in CFA by allowing people to express themselves freely without limiting their creativity and voice. I hope students can be inspired by one another and explore their horizons among different types of art and performances. A few of my favorite hobbies when I’m not working on council projects are crocheting, reading, collaging, and playing around with Photoshop. I also do photography and nail art. Some interests that make me unique are true crime, Vocaloid, rhythm games, manga, and metal music. A fun fact about myself is that I am a part of the 2024 cohort of Medallion scholars. Something I want people to know about me that might make them smile is that I have a small Maltese dog named Levi, named after Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan.
Ash Eddins
Hi everyone, my name is Ash Eddins, I'm in my 3rd year here at Western and I go by They/Them pronouns. I'm majoring in Stage Management and Film, Video and Media Studies. 2 fun facts about me is that I play the clarinet in the Bronco Marching band and I love the Ninja Turtles!
Gizelle Khouri
My name is Gizelle Khouri (he/him), and I’m a sophomore Design and Tech major in the theatre program. I am also majoring in Global and International Studies, and pursuing a minor in Arabic. Something I love about the Theatre program is being able to learn all aspects of the backstage world. It gives me so much more perspective than I would gain from sitting in the costume shop all day.
I am very passionate about highlighting diversity and culture in every environment. I think that the university should reflect the identity and ideals of the students. With my time on the council, I would like to ensure that the student body feels heard by faculty and that their needs are honored by them.
When I’m not working on a production, I enjoy drawing and painting. I like trying out different mediums and exploring how they work with one another. I also love learning instruments!! I’m working on learning guitar and banjo.
Nahjae M.
My name is Nahjae! I use she/her pronouns. I'm a third year Graphic Design student. Other than making art, I love playing video games or cooking/baking. I'm motivated in making spaces more inclusive and working towards proper awareness/education of all groups.
Maurielle Hayes
My name is Maurielle Hayes (she/her). I am a passionate and driven student majoring in Product Design with a minor in Leadership and Business Strategy. My academic focus allows me to explore the intersection of creativity, technology, and strategic thinking, while constantly seeking ways to design solutions that are both innovative and user-centered. Outside of my studies, I love challenging myself with puzzles, immersing myself in books, and writing—activities that help me refine my problem-solving skills and express my thoughts creatively.
Diversity and inclusion are deeply important to me because I believe that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. As someone who is passionate about design, I understand how crucial it is to create products and experiences that are accessible to all people, regardless of background. True innovation arises when we actively seek diverse perspectives, ensuring that the solutions we create serve everyone, not just a select few. It’s not just about representation; it’s about creating spaces where all voices are empowered and included in the design process.