A dedicated leader committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within organizations. Experienced in spearheading initiatives, facilitating training, and driving tangible change. Focused on fostering inclusive cultures and eager to contribute to organizations striving for meaningful diversity and inclusion outcomes.
Ph.D., Organizational Learning and Leadership Gannon University Graduated: December 2024
Dissertation: Tokenism or True Change: A Phenomenological Study of Chief Diversity Officers in Higher Education
M.A. Student Affairs in Higher Education Slippery Rock University Graduated: May 2013
B.A. English Literature Slippery Rock University Graduated: May 2011
- Dean of Students leadership team member
- Manage over 1M+ budget operations and budget
- Leadership team member driving strategic initiatives and institutional growth
- Manage $500k+ operations and budget, resulting in increased college enrollment
- Align the institution’s purpose and vision for internal and external stakeholders
- Curate communication content for diverse platforms
- Develop and execute campus-wide newsletters
- Develop campus-wide policies and procedures around communication standards
- Establish and maintain vendor partnerships to boost enrollment processes
- Lead graduation committee
- Member of the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee
- Assisted in enrolling the first-ever students at the community college
- Implemented strategies that improved registration processes to eliminate barriers
- Managed staff person in charge of ensuring the seamless admission process
- Collaborated with VP of Student Affairs to enhance student life programs
- Supervised graduate assistant for student leadership & involvement, fostering learning
- Built, managed, and trained the division on an online student engagement platform
- Appointed by the president to chair the employee appreciation committee for one year
- Represented DE&I rep on search committees
Founding Board Chair, Fairness Pennsylvania July 2023-Present
● Serving on the search committee to find a founding executive director
Council of Trustees, Slippery Rock University March 2020-Present
● Served on the search committee for 13th University President
● Served 1-year term as Vice Chair of the Council
Board Member, OpenedEyes (Diversity & Inclusion Org.) June 2023-Present
Board Member, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality July 2023-Present
Tate, Leatra; Michaux, Elise (2022) The Call for Counterspaces: Centering Racialized Support as a New Institution of Higher Education. Black Experiences in Higher Education: Faculty, Staff, and Students
Casebeer, Daniel; Mann, Jessica; Michaux, Elise (2017) Tales from the Black Carpet: A Narrative Inquiry into Multicultural Programming. Journal of Curriculum Theorizing, 32(2), 1-14.
Student Leadership Conference, Keynote, Penn State University, August 2025
Life Skills Conference, Keynote, Seton Hill University, April 2025
Continuing Learning Education Session, Erie County Bar Association; November 2024
Where Do I Fit in DEI?, Westmoreland County Community College; October 2024
DEI Student Leadership Retreat, PennWest California University, Keynote; September 2024
Juneteenth Celebration, PennWest Clarion University, Keynote 2024
PASSHE Student Affairs Conference, Keynote; May 2024
Spring Gala and Leadership Award Gala, Washing State University Vancouver, Keynote; April 2023
Believe in Your Magic, Penn State Harrisburg; April 2023
Equality and Equity, Erie Insurance; March 2023
SRU Graduate Commencement Speaker, Slippery Rock University; May 2022 Queer in the Workplace, Slippery Rock University; April 2022
Inspiration from bell hooks: a conversation with elise michaux, The Script Project; March 2022 Identities of the American Experience, Westmoreland County Community College; February 2022 Understanding Intersectionality for Western PA COC; January 2022
Not Just Another Day Off (MLK Jr. Presentation), Bethany College; January 2022
Lessons Learned: Diversity in Higher Education; November 2021 Unconscious Bias Training for U.S. Steel; September 2021
Making Room for Different Faces: A Call to Center Women of Color in the White Ivory PASSHE Women’s Consortium; March 2021
Cultivating Grit and Resiliency, Slippery Rock University; March 2021
West Virginia University Multicultural Retreat “REACH” – Keynote; Leading with Meaning; October 2019
Duquesne University Leadership Academy – Presenter; Servant Leadership; June 2019
NADOHE - National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education
NASPA - National Association of Student Affairs Professional Administrators
CEIR Implicit Bias Training - Avoiding the traps, making better decisions
SafeZone - Designed to improve visibility and support for the LGBT Community
- Consensus Building - Lead Initiatives - Collaboration - Data Analysis & Reporting
- Active Listening - Communication - Policy Development - Strategic Planning & Vision
- Training & Education - Cultural Competency - Conflict Resolution - Leadership & Management