Contact Us

Diedra M. Wrighting is a scientist and educator dedicated to fostering community, belonging, and persistence in academic and professional spaces. She earned a B.S. in Biology from Howard University and a Ph.D. in Genetics from Harvard Medical School. Following postdoctoral research in Medical and Population Genetics at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, she joined the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she focused on preparing undergraduate and graduate students to succeed in science careers. Since 2019, Dr. Wrighting has served as the Executive Director of the ADVANCE Office of Faculty Development at Northeastern University, where she designs and leads professional development initiatives that empower faculty to thrive. Her work spans across the university, overseeing key programs such as Women of Color in the Academy (WOCIA), the Research Leadership Development Initiative (ReDI), and STRIDE (Strategies and Tactics to Recruit to Improve Diversity and Excellence). Beyond the university, Dr. Wrighting is deeply engaged in community equity efforts. As a founding member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and The Coalition for Equity in her town and school district, she leverages her eight-plus years of facilitation experience to foster cross-cultural community building and strengthen belonging for all members.

Sarah serves as the Assistant Director in the ADVANCE Office of Faculty Development and focuses on cultivating the Office’s mentoring initiatives. Sarah has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Alabama and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Mount Holyoke College. She joined Northeastern after teaching in the Springfield and Boston Public Schools. During her time as an educator, she focused on running programing that helped build the capacity and skills of new educators through intentional professional development and coaching. She taught courses at Mount Holyoke College on secondary education pedagogy best practices.

Sam Stokoe serves as the program manager in the ADVANCE Office of Faculty Development and focuses on cultivating opportunities for faculty members’ personal and professional development. These ideas are reflected in programs that provide faculty members with resources to be successful in their roles as teachers, student supporters, and researchers. Stokoe earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Endicott College and a master’s degree in higher education in student affairs from Salem State University. She joined Northeastern University from Travelers Insurance with a professional background in learning and development, and university relations within the Talent Acquisition Office.