Student Affairs Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Staff

As Assistant Vice President for diversity, equity and inclusion in Student Affairs, Brian is responsible for strengthening and furthering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all students at Penn State. He provides strategic leadership for six Student Affairs units.

Throughout his career in higher education, Brian has worked to build educational opportunities around issues of student advocacy and development and a diversity of thought and human experience. While at Penn State he has worked to broaden the understanding of diversity and commitment to inclusive excellence not as separate entities, but rather as part of the larger tapestry of student life and experience.

Brian served as the assistant director of the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity from 2008-2012. Prior to returning to Penn State as the center’s director, he served as an associate dean of students at Cornell University focused on student support, sexual violence, and advocacy while also directing Cornell’s LGBT Resource Center and co-directing the Center for Intercultural Dialogue. Before joining Cornell, Brian was the founding director of the Office of LGBTQ Services and deputy Title IX officer at Dickinson College.

Brian received his master’s degree in higher education from Penn State and his bachelor’s degree in counseling and human services from the University of Scranton. He lives in State College with his husband Greg, their twins Declyn and Keegyn, and their two dogs.

Student Engagement and Community Support

Diversity and Inclusion Education

University Chosen Name & Identity Process

Commonwealth Campus Coalition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Oversees the following offices:

• Adult Learner Programs and Services
• Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
• Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development
• Collegiate Recovery Community
• Gender Equity Center
• Paul Robeson Cultural Center

Sonya began her work with Penn State as Assistant Director at the LGBTQA Student Resource Center in January of 2013. A Maryland native, Wilmoth received her Bachelor of Arts in English from La Salle University and a Master of Science in Administration with a concentration in Sports and Athletics Administration in 1995 from West Chester University. She completed a second Master's in Higher Education with a concentration in administration from Penn State World Campus in 2018. 

Prior to her work in student affairs, Wilmoth enjoyed a successful career in athletics at West Chester University and The University of North Florida as head softball coach at both institutions.  She served as an adjunct professor at the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University in their sports administration program. In her free time Sonya enjoys reading, time at a beach. She enjoys spending time with her daughter Dylan. 

• Programming/Speakers
• Student Fee Funding
• BBH 251 Instructor
• Scholarships
• Educational Programs/Peer Education
• Coalition on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity-Campus LGBTQ Support
• Commission on LGBTQ Equity
• Penn State Leadership Institute

Born and raised in Texas, Eric is an alumnus of the University of North Texas, where he studied Political Science and Gender Studies. Eric then spent two years in DC to complete a Master’s program at the George Washington University in Public Policy with a concentration in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. On both campuses he was involved with many aspects of LGBTQ student life, including researching ways to utilize university resources to better impact LGBTQ students. Further interests include LGBTQ identities within the Latinx community and Chicana feminism. On his free time, Eric enjoys going to the movies with his husband and going to the park with their dogs.

Stephanie is an alumni of Penn State's College of Health and Human Development where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Children, Youth and Family Services. After 11 years in the private, non-profit realm, providing services to under-served and low income families, Stephanie's path led her back to Penn State. She has been at Penn State serving in Administrative Support roles since 2015. Stephanie is the co-chair of the Penn State Commission on LGBTQ Equity's Transgender Concerns committee. She is also a Zumba fitness instructor. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her partner, Ben and their two Daughters, Kaitlyn and Crystal. She also enjoys reading, cooking/baking, being outdoors and shopping. Stephanie is excited to provide support to the Student Resource Center so that they can continue to be a leader in providing services and support to the LGBTQ community at Penn State.

Symone A. McCollum is a first year graduate student in the Higher Education Masters Program at Penn State. Symone holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and Public Policy from The Pennsylvania State University. Her primary line of inquiry examines the development and success of Black women in higher education at diverse institutional types.Specifically, she explores identity development and socialization processes of Black college women and faculty.

Supervision of student staff, annual training and programming support, regional planning and logistics, student organization advising/support, co-facilitating BBH 251 course, graduate student programming, collaborations and representation as needed and assessment and annual reports