Office for Graduate Student Development & Diversity

Primary Responsibilities: Diversity Strategic Initiatives, Emerging Scholars Initiative, Title IX and Dean’s Designee

Michelle Nearon joined the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in July 2008, where she works closely with students, members of the faculty and administration, and the McDougal Center Offices, to proactively recruit, retain, and assist in the professional development of graduate students from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, political, cultural, and lifestyle backgrounds. Dean Nearon received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in aerospace engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brooklyn Polytechnic University, respectively. After completing her master’s degree she devoted approximately ten years to both the aerospace and automotive industries, beginning as a research engineer and ultimately becoming a general manager. She then completed a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stony Brook University in May 2000. Nearon subsequently served on the faculty at Stony Brook University as an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and as director of recruitment and diversification in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences until coming to Yale.

Danica Tisdale Fisher (she/her) joined the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Yale University in January 2021. Dean Fisher received her B.A. and M.A degrees in English from Spelman College and Temple University, respectively. She earned the Ph.D. in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Emory University. Dean Fisher has over a decade of progressive experience in the development and oversight of academic programs, policies, and initiatives to promote growth and achievement. She also has successful senior leadership experience in designing and driving the integration of programs and services to meet the needs of diverse student cohorts and support equity and inclusion campus wide.

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