For Doreen Mirley, senior academic coordinator in the Global Studies department, serving on the Racial Justice Task Force has provided an opportunity to collaborate with peers from across campus in a way that felt different from past years. A graduate of the Class of '97 and staff member for 22 years, Doreen has a wealth of institutional knowledge and experiences that would serve her well as one of the task force's 114 volunteers. Created in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests stemming from the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, the task force was charged with developing recommendations to create a more equitable, anti-racist campus. 

Joining the task force wasn't the first time Doreen has worked toward expanding her views of diversity and inclusion at Bentley. As a student, Doreen was challenged by the late longtime Sociology Professor Tim Anderson to question racism in the U.S. and throughout its history. As a staff member, she took part in the annual Diversity and Inclusion Retreat led by Earl Avery. "There have been diversity and inclusion initiatives on campus in the past, but this time felt different," said Doreen.

"The task force brought so many people from all across campus together to have uncomfortable conversations about race and racism in our community, and that was important. I connected with faculty, staff, students and alumni that I wouldn't have had the chance to otherwise engage with." 

While being a part of the task force has been rewarding for Doreen, joining the group wasn't a decision she came to on her own. After the @BlackatBentley Instagram account began sharing the difficult stories of those who have experienced racism at Bentley, Doreen felt compelled to join the movement on campus and let her voice be heard. "The @BlackatBentley account gave a voice to so many in a very public way, and some of those stories affected me personally," said Doreen. "If those alumni and students sharing their stories hadn’t come forward, I may not have had the courage to get involved and join the task force. I think that was the same experience for a lot of members of the community."

As the task force prepares its final report of recommendations to the university, Doreen is looking forward to seeing the group's hard work be implemented in offices and classrooms across campus. "Being a part of these meetings has made me feel like I can actually make a difference in our community and that my voice matters. That's empowering," she said. "That's what the task force has done for me."

Read More about the Racial Justice Task Force

Join the Buzz in welcoming Doreen Manning, senior associate director for strategic content! Doreen joined the Strategic Communications team this week and is quickly getting virtually acclimated to the university. As a part of Strategic Communications, Doreen will help identify ideas for unique stories about Bentley and develop new and interesting ways to tell them (among many other things!) 

Doreen previously served as the magazine editor in chief at WPI, where she also completed her MBA. Outside of work, she has a number of amazing hobbies and talents. Living in central Mass., Doreen is the proud parent of four children, two Nigerian Dwarf goats and five chickens. She is an avid roller skater and spent eight years touring the country as a member of the Boston Roller Derby league. She continues to skate on her own six foot half pipe in her barn.

When she's not tending to her goats or ripping up her half pipe, Doreen likes to get out and drive her '57 Chevy Bel Air or vintage Honda motorcycle. Welcome, Doreen! 

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