Cultural Fluency Leadership Council

Debra Leigh is Vice President, Cultural Fluency, Equity and Inclusion at SCTCC.

Phone: (320) 308-5121
E-mail: njeri.clement@sctcc.edu

Njeri Clement joined SCTCC in the newly created position of Director of Cultural Fluency, Equity, and Inclusion on October 13, 2021.

Njeri provides leadership for the new Multicultural Center and to the SCTCC community with her proven ability to provide leadership, program development, assessment, and the delivery of innovative strategies that promote accountability and awareness of equity and inclusion. Clement is a visionary leader known for her ability to win community support, develop key coalitions, and build relationships with a shared sense of purpose.

Clement holds a B.A. in Women Studies and an M.S. in Social Responsibility from St. Cloud State University, an M.P.N.A. in Public and Nonprofit Administration from Metropolitan State University, and is currently completing her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Johnson University in Tennessee.

Along with her professional background, Clement is deeply involved in the St. Cloud community and serves in many roles: as an adjunct professor, women’s advocate, board member, presenter, panelist, and trainer.

When asked about her future career goals, she stated, “I believe the future of Higher Education is the development of strategic partnerships for the advancement of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Cultural Fluency. My major career goal would be to work toward the development of these partnerships in Minnesota, nationally, and internationally for the benefit of our students and institution.”

Aguirre helps students achieve their educational aspirations by providing affordable course materials. After graduating from SCTCC he worked in private industry for 10 years before returning to the college as an employee in 2018. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and being outside, reading and watching movies.

Nate has worked in Student Life and Athletics at SCTCC since 2006. He enjoys sports (soccer especially), biking with his family, cooking, and being a dad to Paige and Spencer.

Nathan Jacobson was born and raised in a rural, farming community in southern Minnesota. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Social Work from St. Cloud State University, he moved to a small town in southern Japan to work as an English language teacher for four years. He then returned to Saint Cloud in 2005 where he currently lives with his wife and four children. He began his employment with St. Cloud Technical and Community College in 2008 as an Underrepresented Admissions Specialist and currently serves as the Assessment Center Coordinator.

Shaun Keeley has been with the college since 2015. Prior to his role in Campus Life, Shaun worked as a Math Center Coordinator in SCTCC’s Mary Stangler Center for Academic Success (CAS). He has been a resident of St. Cloud since the mid-90’s and is looking forward to being part of the CFLC. He enjoys working with and engaging students, playing golf, reading, cooking, and trivia contests.

Dr. Sangeeta Jha, originally from India, joined SCTCC in 2011 after nearly ten years of teaching Sociology and Anthropology at St. Cloud State University. She currently teaches Sociology, Anthropology, Gerontology, and Women’s Studies. Besides teaching, Sangeeta serves on several committees and initiatives both on- and off-campus with Create CommUNITY (co-chair), Conversation on Race (co-chair), Diversity Council of Chamber (chair), Jugaad Leadership (Advisory Board member), African Coalition Network (Board member), Community Anti-Racism Education Initiative (member), MLK Breakfast (member), National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (member), and SCTCC’s Cultural Fluency Council (member). Sangeeta holds dual Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Sociology and Education; dual Master’s Degrees in Sociology and Anthropology and a Ph.D. in Sociology. Additionally, she is a licensed Qualified Administrator of IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory) and trained to facilitate cultural competence/proficiency and anti-racism workshops. Sangeeta loves and enjoys teaching, reading, cooking, and relationship building. She is a proud mother of beautiful twin daughters.