Meet the Team

Office: Dwight Hall 311

Dr. Jeffrey K. Coleman joined Framingham State University as the Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement on January 3, 2023. His experience in higher education includes positions as Deputy Chief Diversity Officer at Kennesaw State University, Inaugural Director of the Multicultural Center at Georgia State University, Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Program Coordinator and Manager of Cultural Themed Houses at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. Dr. Coleman is also a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), facilitating understanding of the developmental stages of the intercultural sensitivity for individuals and groups to guide them in moving towards greater intercultural effectiveness.

Dr. Coleman has researched and presented extensively on identity development, cultural competency, sense of belonging and student success on college campuses, African American male student retention and graduation in higher education, and professionals of color in higher education. He has published an article entitled, “Cultural Competency Activities: Impact on Student Success,” in the Metropolitan Universities Journal as well as chapters in The Handbook of Research on Black Males and the third volume of No Ways Tired: The Journey for Professionals of Color in Student Affairs.

Dr. Coleman is a native of Bloomfield, Connecticut. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Studies and Cultural Studies from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master of Science in Counseling with a Concentration in Student Development in Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies from Trinity College (Hartford, CT).

Office: Center for Inclusive Excellence, O'Connor Hall

Jerome Burke joined Framingham State University as the Director, Centre for Inclusive Excellence on June 5, 2023. He is a Jamaican native with over 8 years of experience in communications and working with youth and vulnerable and marginalized groups. Jerome received a Master’s in Integrated Marketing and Communications from the University of the West Indies (Jamaica) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Technology (Jamaica). 

His programmatic planning and advocacy work include serving as the Communication Consultant for Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, where he created campaigns aimed at improving the lives of People living with and affected by HIV and AIDS and improving access to treatment and prevention services for the LGBTQ+ community. 

Jerome has served as a Policy Consultant for Jamaica's leading human rights organization. He has also been instrumental as a project consultant at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, where he implemented a program geared towards providing greater healthcare services for citizens of a lower socio-economic background. 

Jerome has designed and led some very impactful human rights and diversity training among key stakeholders and has been recognized for his outstanding work by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the European Union for communication and outreach strategies he implemented as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through initiatives he has led, many policymakers, law enforcement officers and healthcare workers have been more sensitive to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Jerome is also a creative writer and director of two of Jamaica’s most popular YouTube film series. He desires to continue creatively advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, as this is his undying passion.

Office: Hemenway 436

Dr. Catherine Dignam has served as a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry and Food Science since the 2003, teaching general chemistry for STEM majors and upper level courses in her area of expertise, inorganic chemistry.  She has been involved in initiatives to improve teaching and learning in gateway chemistry courses, and is particularly interested in the success and retention of first year students in STEM, working with a team of faculty and administrators to design and implement the STEM Scholars Program, which has been successful at increasing the retention of first year science and engineering majors at FSU, and received Insight into Diversity Magazine’s 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award.  Dr. Dignam has previously served as chair of the Department of Chemistry and Food Science, and is currently the chair of the Massachusetts PKAL Regional Network Steering Committee.

Dr. Dignam’s interest in student success has led her to become a strong proponent for inclusive excellence initiatives.  She serves as the Program Director for FSU’s Inclusive Excellence Award from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, directs the FSU STEM Racial Equity Project which focuses on faculty development effective use of equity data, and is on the Advisory Board for the Equity Based Teaching Collective.  

Office: Whittemore Library UM13

Hedda “Hed” Monaghan (They/Them) is the Research and Digital Pedagogy Librarian at Framingham State. They hold a Master in Library and Information Studies from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver and a Masters in Education with a Concentration in Educational Technology from Framingham State University. Hed has been committed to anti-racism and DEI efforts on the Framingham State University campus since starting as a librarian in 2017. They completed the Anti-Racist Pedagogy Institute in 2020/2021. Outside of work, Hed is an avid knitter and mender. They live with their husband and three cats.