Saint Anselm College will be saying goodbye to two prominent figures on campus at the end of this academic year. Ande Diaz, Chief Diversity Officer, and Maura Marshall, Director of College Health Services, will both be leaving their positions, the college announced.
Dr. Ande Diaz will be retiring in June of this year from her position as the first ever Chief Diversity Officer. President Favazza made the announcement to the college community via an email sent out last week. “Without question, Ande is a strong champion for student success and under her leadership the college’s DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) action plan focuses on building a culture of belonging and a student-ready workforce,” Favazza said.
During her time at the college, Diaz has held many leadership positions and has been a key player in promoting DEI throughout campus. She has chaired the President’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusiveness and co-chaired the college’s DEI action plan, among others. Many of Diaz’s accomplishments have impacted the college’s Vision 2025 and will continue to impact Vision 2030.
“I remember my interview like it was yesterday. I was sharing ways that a campus could advance inclusiveness – from recruitment and retention to vendor diversification and scholarly research. I remember one professor said to me ‘that sounds a lot like Dr. Ande – how are you going to do all that?’ The response that popped out of my mouth was ‘I’m not, we are,’” Diaz said reflecting on her time at the Hilltop. “ My role has just been to listen to people’s hearts and whatever thoughts or emotions they share. And then I have had the incredible opportunity to support and challenge Anselmians with whatever gifts our Creator places in front of us,” she continued.
Above all else, Diaz’s greatest impact has been on the students of the college. ““I had the privilege of working with her in her office as a work study student my sophomore year and working with her as a recipient of a DIIF Grant this year as a senior,” said Senior Politics and Communication major Anna Raley, former president of the Multicultural Student Coalition.
“She has been a never ending support for MSC, Transitions, and women of color. I definitely see her as a role model in my life being not only the first DEI officer for Saint Anselm, but as a woman of color as well. I found that the connections she made at her time here have been bountiful and equally impactful, and I know that the inclusive work she did here at school has set an amazing precedent for people of color on campus,” Raley said.
Later that same week, Dean Alicia Finn also sent an email to the college community confirming that Marua Marshall, Director of College Health Services, would be leaving the college at the end of the year. Marshall will step down as director on April 12, but will remain working for the college until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition for new director Elizabeth Kelly, whom Marshall worked with previously in her career.
Marshall has served as Director of Health Services for 17 years, guiding the college through many challenges, including the return from COVID. “Maura was the face of calmness during COVID, establishing a testing lab and daily system, steadfastly following College pandemic plans, interpreting CDC guidelines, and looking into the face of every student, every day, as long as the daily required testing program was operative,” Dean Finn said in her email. “Our community, our students, prevailed through that historic time in large part because of Maura’s valiant efforts.”
“I have loved every aspect of my time at Saint Anselm College. The Health Service staff have become like family, my Student Affairs Colleagues have been the best team, and the support of the entire community has made my job here so much easier,” Marshall said. “I was so proud of our accomplishments during the pandemic in that we were able to work together to bring everyone back to campus as quickly as possible.”
Marshall’s utmost priority had always been the safety and well being of all Saint Anselm College students. “ I was able to connect with so many students during that time and feel like that may have been a blessing in disguise. During my time working in the ER at Catholic Medical Center 17 years ago, the St. A’s students drew me to Health Services, and the students are what drive us all to be Anselmians,” she said.
While Marshall may be leaving Health Services, her commitment to serving others will remain as she plans to return to clinical work in the community.
Her legacy will continue to live on and inspire the next generation of healthcare workers. “She was really nice and during Covid I felt like she did a lot for the school but I’m glad she’s going back into the clinical setting because we always need more mentors in that area,” said senior nursing major Natalie Hanlon.
As the academic year begins to wrap up, the college will be losing many key figures in the community. In addition to Diaz and Marshall, Dean Finn will also be retiring at the end of the year. Abbot Mark Cooper O.S.B. was required to submit his resignation as abbot and Chancellor of the College as he nears his 75th birthday.
Although times of transition may be intimidating, the hard work of all of these individuals have forever shaped the Anselmian community and their legacies will continue to guide the future of the College.
