Stevens has a new face on campus this semester, and if you haven’t met Emilia Griffith (she/they) yet, you’re going to want to. Emilia is the new Coordinator of Student Culture and Belonging, and cultural and belonging club liaison, which means they’re one of the people ensuring that student organizations have the support they need and the space to thrive. From the start, they’ve made it clear that their office isn’t about policies and paperwork; it’s about supporting the students
Their path here is anything but ordinary. As a first-generation, limited-income student, Emilia graduated summa cum laude in sociology from Northeastern University and received their Master’s of Arts in Sociology from Columbia University. Their academic career was filled with curiosity and passion: they studied the public health impacts of incarceration, explored the creative side of activism through research on Black punk, and spent time working in abolition and reentry programs. For them, learning was never just about grades; it was about connecting ideas to the real world and imagining how communities could be stronger and more inclusive.
That mix of scholarship and activism carried into their professional work. Emilia has facilitated diversity workshops, ran mentorship programs for first-generation undergrads, and even helped doctoral students navigate barriers in higher education. They’ve worked with incarcerated individuals with disabilities and substance use disorders, taught dance at a school for students with disabilities, and coordinated pipeline programs that prepare underrepresented students for careers in medicine. Everything ties back to the same core theme: giving people access, encouragement, and the tools they need to succeed.
At Stevens, Emilia is putting that philosophy into action. To Emilia, this job is about making sure students have spaces where they truly belong. That belief is reflected in the way they approach their role: the Intercultural Space is not just their office, it’s a student-centered hub where anyone can feel welcomed. Emilia takes pride in the fact that the space looks and feels like it belongs to students first, and that’s exactly the point.
What stands out most about Emilia, though, is how intentional they are about getting to know students. They’re not interested in catering to a silent majority—they’d rather invest in the students who are passionate, curious, and eager to grow. Whether it’s through clubs, campus programs, or just conversations in passing, Emilia is already becoming a safe, unfiltered presence for students.
That same care shapes the advice Emilia shares with students. As someone who navigated college as a first-generation student, Emilia knows how valuable opportunities like studying abroad can be, especially for first-generation/low-income (FLI) students. They believe it’s often the only chance students have to leave the country and see the world through a new lens, and that experience can be life-changing. This is just one example of how Emilia encourages students to take risks, seek new perspectives, and imagine themselves in bigger spaces than they may have thought possible.
Emilia’s journey has sharpened their vision and reminded them why this work matters. They know what it’s like to feel like an outsider in academic spaces, and that’s exactly why they’re determined to make Stevens feel like home for all students.
In just a short time, Emilia Griffith has already started to leave a mark on our campus. They bring expertise, creativity, and authenticity to their role, but more importantly, they bring heart. By supporting student organizations and making the effort to know people on a personal level, Emilia is helping shape a culture of belonging at Stevens—one where all students thrive as themselves.
