Student Culture and Engagement Hub Co-Directors Announced
The following message was shared July 24 by Jenna Hatcher, vice provost and special advisor and Thomas Harris, interim executive director of Campus Community Connections. It was sent to Campus Community Connections stakeholders and students who have accessed the Student Culture and Engagement Hub spaces. The message is also available on the unit's website.
As we continue to develop our new unified framework, where all communities are connected, valued, and able to thrive throughout their experience at the U of A, we are excited to follow up on Provost Patricia Prelock's recent message to campus and announce the new co-directors of the Student Culture and Engagement Hub: Dominique Calza and Kenneth Importante.
Dominique brings over 15 years of experience advancing belonging, well-being, and engagement in higher education. She previously served as director of the Adalberto & Ana Guerrero Student Center, where she led initiatives that support belonging, wellness, and academic persistence, developing student-centered partnerships and advocating for basic needs services. Her work is grounded in the belief that institutions must actively create environments where students feel seen, supported, and empowered. Dominique holds an M.S. in Mexican American studies and a B.A. in psychology from the U of A.
Kenny brings over 18 years of experience in student affairs, including more than 15 years of leadership within cultural center settings across three flagship institutions. As director of Asian Pacific American Student Affairs (APASA), he provided mission and vision for the center, supported the success of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) students, and managed a significant budget. Kenny has a proven track record of collaborating to create intersectional programs and providing one-on-one student support. He is a doctoral candidate in higher education here at the U of A, and holds an M.A. in higher education and student affairs from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in history and global studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Dominique and Kenny are well known and highly respected for their deep commitment to supporting students and for fostering welcoming environments. Working closely with us and Indira Arce, Assistant Director for Campus Community Connections, this powerful leadership team will enhance our ability to serve all our students and strengthen connections across our entire university community.
Please join us in congratulating Dominique Calza and Kenneth Importante on their new roles. Their combined expertise, dedication to student success, and extensive experience will be invaluable to the Student Culture and Engagement Hub.