Meet Our Team
Brian Harper
Vice President, Equity and Inclusion
bharper@nyit.edu
516.686.4018
Brian Harper, M.D., M.P.H., is New York Institute of Technology's Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Medical Officer, overseeing the Academic Health Care Centers in Old Westbury and Central Islip. Harper also serves as an Associate Professor at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM), where he educates future physicians on the tenets of clinical medicine.
Building on his role as Co-Chair of New York Tech's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force, Harper was appointed to the newly created position of Vice President for Equity and Inclusion in 2022. Under his leadership, a team of faculty, students, and staff are charged with pursuing projects, activities, and programming that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and creating a roadmap and strategies for continued success in these areas.
Evette Allen Moore
Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
eallen03@nyit.edu
870.680.8835
Evette L. Allen Moore, Ph.D., serves as the inaugural Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) at A-State. She is a proud alum of Arkansas State University where she earned her bachelor's degree in Communication Studies. After her undergraduate time at A-State, she earned her Master of Arts in Communication Studies from University of North Texas, her Master of Science in Family Studies from Texas Woman's University, and her Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Higher Education from the University of Denver. She holds a micro-credential in Inclusive Teaching for Equitable Learning from the Association of College and University Educators; and A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of Southern Florida Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education.
She has over 12 years of experience in Higher Education and Equity work. Some highlights include serving on a statewide equity think tank for the Arkansas Department of Higher Education; facilitating national, regional, and local DEIB trainings and workshops; campus-wide diversity strategic planning; campus-wide campus climate work; and securing grants to support ongoing DEIB work. She has worked in various areas on college campuses such as New Student Orientation, academic advising, and multicultural affairs assisting with strengths-based approaches for social justice in education. Allen is originally from Arkadelphia, a small town in Arkansas. Allen has a research agenda that focuses on the experiences of Students of Color in Higher Education and social justice education. Her research can be found in Higher Education journals such as the International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, Equity and Excellence in Education, and NASPA Journal about Women in Higher Education.
Melissa D. Pond, Esq.
Equity Officer and Title IX Coordinator
Tower House, room 106
mpond@nyit.edu or titleix@nyit.edu
516.686.1080
Melissa Pond, Esq., serves as New York Tech's Equity Officer, Title IX Coordinator, and Section 504/Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator. She comes to New York Tech with a wealth of experience, including serving as Kings County Assistant District Attorney, Nassau County Assistant District Attorney, and Equal Employment Opportunity Investigator with the New York City Department of Education. A consummate professional, she has particular expertise in conducting sensitive investigations.
Pond investigates complaints and oversees compliance with New York Tech's anti-discrimination policies and relevant federal and state laws and regulations. The New York Tech policies that she will oversee include:
- Non-Discrimination Statement
- Gender-Based Misconduct Policy
- Student Code of Conduct
- NYITCOM Student Code of Conduct
- Non-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy
Deputy Title IX Coordinators for Students
Deanna Bertini
Associate Director, Student Engagement
Long Island/New York City campuses
dbertini@nyit.edu
Kristin Cohen
Associate Dean, Student Administration
NYITCOM
kristin.cohen@nyit.edu
Additional Title IX support staff
Xenia Torres
Executive Assistant and DEI Project Coordinator
xtorres@nyit.edu
516.686.3738
MEET OUR DEI ADVISORY GROUP AND COMMITTEE