Katie Penn, Ph.D. (pronouns: she/her/hers/herself/Dr.) has been a long-time member of the Bentley community where she has developed diversity-related learning opportunities across the university. A member of the Class of 1996, Katie has held numerous staff roles on campus including Assistant Provost of Diversity and Inclusion, Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Associate Director of Admissions. As the leader of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Katie has provided vision, leadership and coordination for strategic institutional planning to ensure inclusive environments and equitable outcomes for all faculty, staff and students at Bentley. Her work has promoted an inclusive work and learning environment by supporting student- and employee-led initiatives, resource development and advocacy for affinity groups. Katie holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change program at Antioch University and holds an MBA with a concentration in Marketing from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and a B.S. in Economics and Finance from Bentley.
Patrick Couillard Hale (pronouns: he/him/his/himself/Mr.) joined Bentley University in August 2021 as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion. Patrick brings years of higher education thought leadership and scholar-practitioner supporting organizations and individuals in their development of cultural competence and intelligence, as well as direct support and advocacy on behalf of historically underrepresented communities within and outside of higher education. In his role, Patrick provides leadership in strategic initiatives to foster and promote Inclusive Excellence across the University. Additionally, he serves as the leader of the Inclusive Excellence Council, which is charged with setting and implementing key strategic diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities to create institutional impact. Patrick received his Master of Science in Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University Bloomington and his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Matt Banks (pronouns: they/them/theirs/theirself/Mx.) currently serves as the Associate Director for Diversity and Inclusion at Bentley University. In this role, Matt develops and leads learning and development opportunities, dialogues and workshops for faculty and staff to build individual and collective capacity for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion work on Bentley’s campus. They also chair the LGBTQ+ Steering Committee and coordinate large university events, like the annual Rainbow Lunch and MLK Celebration. Prior to coming to Bentley, they served as the Coordinator for Multicultural Programs and LGBT Student Services at Missouri State University, where their work centered the experiences of queer, transgender, students of color, and students with disabilities. Matt holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Dramatic Arts from Rice University.
Merle Bazile (pronouns: she/her/hers/herself/Ms.) joined Bentley University in 2014 as the Sr. Program Assistant. Her duties focus on organizing and supporting the many programs and events of the Office of Diversity & Inclusion. Prior to Bentley, Merle was Staff Assistant in the Office of the Dean at the Harvard Business School. She provided support to the Dean, managing complex scheduling, and assisting with special projects including Commencement, Alumni Weekend, and Board of Directors meetings. She left the Dean's Office to work in the Intellectual Property Department as a Permissions Coordinator at Harvard Business School Publishing (HBSP). Merle worked closely with HBSP product groups, including the Harvard Business Review to determine and maintain permission policies and rights availability. Before coming to Bentley, Merle was Executive Assistant to the Principal at the Angier Elementary School in Waban, Newton Massachusetts. Merle holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Fitchburg State University and has completed one-year of graduate-level work toward a Master’s Degree in Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Edissa Ndayikeza (pronouns: she/her/hers) is a proud resident of Chelsea, Massachusetts, and was born in Kasulu, Tanzania. She is currently a first-year student at Bentley University, where she is pursuing a degree in Management and Diversity and Inclusion. Edissa has a passion for various forms of art, including poetry, paintings, fashion, music, photography, and film. Personally, she enjoys writing poetry, visiting art museums, trying new food, and traveling.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Edissa is actively involved on campus. She is a member of the African Student Association, Black United Body, and the Pepeta dance team. Edissa is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment and creating positive change for the world. She has a passion for advocacy, community engagement, and social justice, which is why she is an intern for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Bentley University.
Jaychele Nicole Schenck (pronouns: she/her/hers) is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with a focus on Public Relations at Bentley University. Originally from Providence, RI, Jaychele is actively involved in various aspects of DEI, serving as the inaugural DE&I Chair for Black United Body on campus and contributing to diversity initiatives as an intern at New Relic and Extreme Networks. Her commitment to social justice extends to her co-founding and executive direction of "Gen Z: We Want To Live," leading the largest protest in Rhode Island's history with 10,000 participants.
Specializing in cultural appropriation, race, and social media discussions, Jaychele aims to guide individuals and organizations in navigating these complex issues, fostering understanding and respect. Looking ahead, she aspires to become a publicist specializing in DEI in pop culture, believing that accurate representation of Black celebrities across various media forms can promote greater understanding and appreciation for diversity.