Plenary Speakers

Mary Ann Villarreal is the inaugural vice president for equity, diversity, and inclusion at the University of Utah. She provides leadership and strategic oversight of diversity and inclusion initiatives across the university’s academic and health sciences campuses. Prior to her current role, Villarreal served as the associate vice president of strategic initiatives at California State University–Fullerton; the associate dean at Colorado Women’s College at the University of Denver; an assistant professor of history at the University of Colorado–Boulder; and an instructor and assistant professor of history and ethnic studies at the University of Utah. She has authored multiple articles and book chapters, and her book Listening to Rosita: The Business of Tejana Music and Culture, 1930–1955, won the South Texas College Américo Paredes Book Award.

Michelle Asha Cooper leads the development and implementation of state and federal policy initiatives for Lumina Foundation, an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. She works to advance the foundation’s support for today’s students at community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities. Cooper brings a wealth of experience, a deep devotion to students, and an acute understanding of policymaking at all levels.