Professional Staff 

Jacki Black, PhD (she/her/ella) - Director of Hispanic Initiatives and Diversity & Inclusion Educational Programming

jacqueline.black@marquette.edu (414) 288-4118 AMU 121J

Jacki Black is the Director of Hispanic Initiatives and Diversity & Inclusion Educational Programming at Marquette University. In this role since 2016, Dr. Black leads the university’s Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) initiative, which seeks to provide greater access and support to Latinx and other underrepresented students. She also provides strategic leadership for learning opportunities for faculty, staff, and students with the goal of fostering a more inclusive working and learning environment, and contributes to the execution of other campus-wide diversity and inclusion efforts.

Hailing from a working-class background, Dr. Black strongly believes in the power of education as a path to upward mobility. She has a deep passion for cultivating an educational culture in which every student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential, with access to a safe, welcoming campus environment, an excellent education, leadership-developing opportunities, and a sense of pride and belonging.

Dr. Black earned a BA in psychology from the University of Chicago, an MA in education from Saint Xavier University, and a PhD in educational policy and leadership from Marquette University. Prior to her role at Marquette, she devoted fifteen years to teaching, mentoring, coaching, and advising in Chicago and Milwaukee schools. Most notably, she spent ten years at Marquette University High School, where she taught Honors Spanish for Native Speakers, advised the Orgullo Latino student organization, and served as the Latino Family Liaison.

While Dr. Black derives great purpose from her work, her world revolves around her family, including her children Alonzo and Emma, and her life partner Luke, without whom none of her work would be possible.

Sarah Piñón She/her/hers - Director of Inclusion and Belonging 

Sarah.pinon@marquette.edu (414) 288-1507 AMU 121L 

Sarah Piñón serves as the Director of the Office of Inclusion and Belonging (OIB) at Marquette University, where she leads a team dedicated to making Marquette an inclusive place for all students. Within the Office of Inclusion and Belonging you will find the Center for Engagement and Inclusion (CEI) and the LGBTQ+ Resource Center (RC). Our work supports underrepresented and historically marginalized students at Marquette through programming, resources, community building, and leadership development that fosters student success and a sense of belonging.  

Before joining the Office of Inclusion and Belonging, Sarah worked at the University of Mississippi as an Assistant Director of Cross-Cultural Engagement and Programming. Prior to that she worked at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a Fraternity & Sorority Life Specialist, a Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator at Western Technical College, and an Admissions Counselor at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Sarah holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of Delaware and a Master’s of Science in Student Affairs Administration from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. 

In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, cooking, and eating, playing and watching sports, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new places.

Graduate Assistants 

Maiya Sabree she/her/hers - Cultural Programs and Services  

Maiya.sabree@marquette.edu (414) 288-0704 AMU 111 

Maiya Sabree serves as the Graduate Assistant for Cultural Engagement and Services within the Center for Engagement and Inclusion (CEI). She helps plan programming for the various heritage months and cultural programming. She is currently in the Student Affairs for Higher Education Master’s Program. She also graduated from Marquette University in May 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.  In her free time, she enjoys cooking, watching reality tv shows, and spending time with family and friends. 

Timmy Wotring they/them - LGBTQ+ Programs and Initiatives

Timmy.wotring@marquette.edu (414) 288-0478 AMU 140 

Timmy Wotring serves as the Graduate Assistant (GA) for the LGBTQ+ Resource Center (RC) at Marquette University.  As the GA for the RC, Timmy works to better the experiences of gender, romantic, and sexual minority identities on campus. Alongside their Graduate Assistantship, Timmy is a student in the Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) program.  

Timmy graduated in April 2023 from Otterbein University with bachelor's degrees in communication studies and public relations. At Otterbein, Timmy had many roles that included, Student Body President, Student Orientation Coordinator, and more.  

In their free time, Timmy likes to visit their hometown in Ohio, hang out with friends, and indulge in television. 

Italia Roman she/her/hers - Peer Engagement and Services

italia.roman@marquette.edu (414) 288-6799 AMU 111

Italia Roman serves as the Graduate Assistant for Peer Engagement and Services within the Center for Engagement and Inclusion (CEI). She works on first generation initiatives and with the Ready to Inspire Success and Excellence (RISE) program. She is currently in Marquette’s Student Affairs for Higher Education Master’s Program. Italia graduated from Marquette University in May of 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies and Communication Studies. As a first-generation student, she is passionate about college access and success.