Kei Mamiya
Empowering students to be proud of who they are and what they can offer the world is a big part of Kei Mamiya鈥檚 work at Mississippi State鈥檚 Holmes Cultural Diversity Center.聽
鈥淧eople I鈥檝e met through the universities I鈥檝e attended have given me support and really helped me, and I want to be involved in that process for underrepresented students. We need their voices and representation,鈥 Mamiya said. 鈥淭his university is a really good place to work because it has a friendly, welcoming environment. I鈥檝e always been interested in people and cultures from around the world, so I feel really lucky to be in this kind of position where I get to advocate for the voices of so many different students.鈥
Originally from Yokohama, Japan, Mamiya came to the U.S. in 2014 to pursue a master鈥檚 in sociology with a concentration in race and ethnicity studies at the University of Mississippi. He also holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in international studies with a focus on culture and society from Japan鈥檚 Meiji Gakuin University.
Since 2016, Mamiya has served as a program coordinator in the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center within 91传媒鈥檚 Division of Student Affairs. He enjoys mentoring the Latino Student Association, LGTBQ+Union, International Student Advisory Board and other student organizations that host events and programs for domestic and international students.
鈥淢y door is open all of time, so anybody can come in,鈥 Mamiya said. 鈥淚 have a table in my office if students need a quiet space to work. I think me being from a different country and of a different race is good for students of a similar background. It makes it easier for them to talk with me.鈥
As part of his diversity and inclusion work, Mamiya organizes Safe Zone Ally trainings that provide faculty and staff with information and skills to better support members of the LGBTQ+ community in the classroom and office. Along with completing Safe Zone Ally Training himself, Mamiya has participated in the G.V. 鈥淪onny鈥 Montgomery Center for America鈥檚 Veterans鈥 Green Zone Initiative Training, which brings awareness and encourages advocacy for student veterans, service members and dependents at 91传媒.
At the encouragement of HCDC Director and 91传媒 Assistant Vice President for Multicultural Affairs Ra鈥橲heda Forbes, Mamiya completed the university鈥檚 Leadership Excellence for Accomplished Professionals program in 2017.
鈥淲orking at Mississippi State is rewarding,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 can see a lot of changes and growth in students on an individual level. I want to help them grow and learn leadership from their experiences.鈥