Division of Student Affairs, Equity, and Belonging
Mission and Theory of Change
The mission of Student Affairs, Equity, and Belonging is to create transformative spaces of belonging that empower our students, faculty, and staff to lead with justice, influence with integrity, and contribute to a better world for the common good. The division of Student Affairs, Equity, and Belonging (SAEB) brings together two powerful commitments to support the retention of employees and students:
- Student Affairs supports all students — helping them grow, lead, and thrive through meaningful programs, compassionate guidance, and experiences that build community and connection to strengthen retention.
- Equity and Belonging serves everyone at St. Catherine University — students, staff, and faculty — by embedding equity and belonging into every part of university life and fostering a community where all identities are seen, valued, and empowered.
Rooted in the charisms of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, we are committed to social justice, love of neighbor without distinction, and co-creating spaces where all can thrive. We aim to lead and influence in partnership with our campus and neighboring communities — creating lasting, purposeful change that benefits our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the wider world we share.
We believe that relationships are at the heart of any sustainable institutional change. We achieve our goal of cultivating spaces of belonging – where every individual matters, wants to be, and thrives – by:
- Transforming Developing skills for constructively transforming (and when necessary disrupting) norms, policies, and power structures that impede progress
- Neighboring Building meaningful relationships within affinity groups and across differences
- Celebrating Joyfully recognizing and celebrating milestones
Practices Driving a Culture of Inclusive Excellence
To fulfill its mission, the division of Student Affairs, Equity, and Belonging:
- Fosters Connection, Constructive Disruption, and Community
Creates spaces for dialogue, constructive disruption, and celebratory events that strengthen community bonds and mutual respect. - Develops and Delivers Equity and Belonging Training
Collaborates with campus offices to provide equity, inclusion, and belonging training and supports faculty in promoting inclusive curricula, pedagogy, and a universal design environment. - Promotes a Healthy, Inclusive Campus Climate
Advocates for historically disadvantaged and marginalized groups, identifies and addresses policies that hinder belongingness, and works to maintain an inclusive environment. - Advances Recruitment and Retention
Partners with departments to enhance the recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty, and staff, with a focus on historically excluded populations. - Strengthens Campus-Community Partnerships
Represents St. Catherine University in local, regional, and global communities, enhancing partnerships that reflect our values and promote equity. - Evaluates and Improves Policies and Programs
Continuously examines and revises programs, strategies, and policies to ensure they align with the goal of creating an equitable and diverse university community.
Divisional Leadership
Jacqueline Font-Guzmán, JD, PhD (she/ella) serves as the inaugural Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Equity, and Belonging. She provides strategic leadership for the student experience, advancing and implementing the University's vision for equity, belonging, and social justice in support of students, staff, and faculty.
As Dean for Equity and Belonging, Dr. Kenneth Cooper (he/him), provides strategic leadership for initiatives that advance student success, inclusive excellence, and campus belonging at St. Catherine University. He oversees key student-facing centers, including the Center for Intercultural Development, the Center for Women, Student Accessibility and Accommodations, and Access & Success, while working across the institution to strengthen student support systems and cultivate a campus environment where all members of the community can thrive.
Kenneth is an experienced higher education leader dedicated to expanding opportunity, strengthening student support systems, and developing the next generation of leaders. Prior to joining St. Catherine University, he served as Director of the Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows Program and the Excel Research Scholars Program at the University of St. Thomas, where he led leadership development and scholarship initiatives supporting first-generation, low-income students and students of color.
Kenneth is an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrator and has completed the SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) program. His work focuses on leadership development, equity in higher education, and building collaborative partnerships that support student success.
Throughout her career, Jessica Nelson (she/her) has shown a passion for cultivating a campus environment where students feel supported, affirmed and safe. As Dean of Student Affairs, Jessica provides strategic leadership for initiatives that advance student success, foster engagement, and support holistic well-being. She oversees departments core to the student experience including Campus Life, Residence Life, the Health and Wellness Center, and the Counseling Center. She works across campus with students, staff, and faculty to cultivate a campus environment where students can thrive.
Jessica brings extensive experience across higher education, including academic advising, student success programming, residence life, disability services, career services, orientation, assessment and emergency response. She might tell you the job that truly prepared her for her current role was working as a resident advisor, many years ago, while an undergraduate student in a traditional hall featuring community bathrooms. She has enjoyed developing her skills and leadership styles at several universities in different areas of the country including Bellarmine University in KY, Campbell University in NC, and Misericordia University in PA. As she lays down permanent roots in the Twin Cities, she is delighted to consider herself a Katie.
Marissa K. Machado is an experienced higher education leader with over 20 years of advancing student success, equity, and institutional effectiveness across undergraduate, adult, and graduate populations. As Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at St. Catherine University, Machado leads student support initiatives, oversees the CARE Team, and partners across campus to address complex student needs.
Prior to joining St. Kate’s, Machado held leadership roles at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Normandale Community College, and Augsburg University, where she led strategic enrollment and retention initiatives, developed high-impact programs—including a 98% retention summer bridge model—and expanded access for underrepresented students.
Machado’s expertise includes crisis response, retention strategy, inclusive program design, and advising innovation. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Augsburg University.
As the Executive Assistant to Dr. Font-Guzmán, Rachel Weeks serves as a thought partner, project manager, and strategic communicator in close collaboration with members of the division and partners throughout campus. Rachel has experience in communications and administration in the sectors of higher ed, the CPG food industry, and community-based nonprofits. Rachel brings the lens of a first-gen, low-income college graduate to all aspects of their work, and particularly enjoys connecting with and supporting students as they discern their own path throughout college.
Sonia Carroll (she/her) is the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs and Dean for Equity and Belonging. In partnership with the Deans, Sonia manages divisional and departmental projects, facilitates communications, and supports students and staff as a point-person for divisional resources. As a graduate of a historically women's college, Sonia finds meaning in advancing St. Catherine University's mission rooted in social justice and women's leadership. Connecting with students always makes her day, and she is intentional about making sure every student who walks in the door feels celebrated, seen, and supported. Prior to working at St. Kate's, Sonia was an undergraduate researcher at a bilingual language development lab and worked in Smith College's special collections and archives.
Student Affairs, Equity, and Belonging Events
Moved by Climate: Jothsna Harris and St. Kate's Students
