About and Staff
Mission
The Wyckoff Center at Skidmore College is a space to connect people and programs that underscore the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Vision
The Wyckoff Center envisions a future where Skidmore College stands as a beacon of diversity and inclusion, celebrated for its commitment to honoring individual identities and fostering a socially just community. We aspire to cultivate an environment where mutual respect, openness to ideas, and shared responsibility are deeply ingrained in our culture. Our vision is to empower all community members to engage fully in transformative conversations, driving positive change and exemplifying the core values of Skidmore College.
Staff
Mariel L. Martin, Director
Mariel has been engaged with diversity, equity, and inclusion work on college campuses
since their undergraduate years, where they were actively involved in the Multicultural
Student Affairs office at Shippensburg University, graduating with a B.A. in Sociology.
They continued their academic journey at the University of Chicago, focusing their
scholarship on access and belonging in education, and earning a Master's Degree in
Social Sciences.
Prior to becoming the Director of the Wyckoff Center at Skidmore College, Mariel served
as the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Campus Life & Engagement from 2015 to 2021.
Since joining the Skidmore community in 2005, Mariel has held roles including Director
of Student Diversity Programs for eight years, Title IX Deputy Coordinator for nearly
six years, and they also worked in Residential Life for two years.
Mariel has taught courses on oppression in the U.S., a Peer Mentor seminar, and a
First-Year Seminar Course on the history of diversity at Skidmore and within higher
education. Additionally, Mariel has chaired the Bias Response Group, co-chaired the
Committee on Intercultural and Global Understanding (2012-2015), and chaired the Advisory
Council on Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct for five years.
Mariel's research and academic focus includes the educational experiences of LGBTQ+
youth. Mariel is also deeply invested in and has researched student movements, protests,
and demonstrations related to diversity, social justice, and inclusion at Skidmore.
In their new role as Director of the Wyckoff Center, Mariel is dedicated to fostering
a diverse and inclusive community that respects and honors individual identities.
Bridget Alamu '27, Student Assistant 
Bridget is a sophomore at Skidmore College pursuing a major in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. She Currently serves as a Secretary for the UJIMA club on campus where her involvement is most prominent. As a student from the Bronx and a graduate of Berkshire School, sheās familiar with the commitment to give back to her many communities having served as the Co-All School President her last year in High School. For the last two summers, Bridget has been interning at the Mount Sinai Doctors Hospital learning the different ways the themes of DEI can be so prevalent in hospital spaces. To the Wyckoff Center she brings, energy, joy, and passion to help cater to an open and accessible environment for all students!
Qavalina Andrade '25, Student Assistant 
Qavalina is a senior at Skidmore College pursuing a major in International Affairs, with minors in Business, Anthropology, and the Periclean Honors Forum. She serves as the president of her class and is the DEI Officer for the Periclean Honors Forum. As an international student and a graduate of the Mahindra United World College of India, she brings a unique multicultural perspective to her work. An awardee of Skidmoreās Summer Experience Fund, Qavalina has spent the last two summers building a non-profit organization that helps students from conflict zones find higher education opportunities abroad. Last spring she was awarded Skidmore Collegeās President's Racial Justice Award for an impactful podcast on Mohawk ironworkers and is dedicated to fostering inclusive spaces for students from all backgrounds. At the Wyckoff Center, she brings her leadership experience, dedication to diversity, and passion for global education to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all students.