ANDREA GUZMÁN, ED.D.
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Dr. Andrea Guzmán joined UCF as Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in July of 2021. Prior to this, she served as Associate Vice President for Student Outreach and Diversity at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) since 2014. In this role, she lead efforts to provide a campus climate that supports diversity and inclusion, student success, personal development, and integrated student learning experiences. In addition, Dr. Guzmán assisted the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management in implementing continuous improvement efforts, goal setting, strategic plans, assessment, and professional development programs within the division.
At FAU, Dr. Guzmán provided direct leadership and administrative oversight to the Center for Inclusion, Diversity Education, and Advocacy (IDEAs), which includes the Office of Hispanic/Latina/o/x Initiatives and FUTUROS Success Program, the Office of LGBTQ+ Initiatives and Allyship, the Office of International Education and Programs, the Office of Black Student Success and Initiatives, and the Ginsburg Center for Inclusion and Community Engagement Office of Diversity Education and Training. She also oversaw the Office of First-Generation Student Success; the Military and Veterans Student Success Center; Student Activities and Involvement; Student Government; Fraternity and Sorority Life; Student Media; the Office of Leadership Education and Development; and the Weppner Center for Service Learning.
Dr. Guzmán chaired the university-wide Diversity Platform Council at FAU since its inception in 2017 until her departure in 2021. She was awarded the “National Role Model Administrator Award” from Minority Access, Incorporated, and the “Patriotic Employer Award” from the Office of the Secretary of Defense in 2017. She was also showcased on the Latina Leadership Collective as a “Latina Woman in Leadership” and has presented at international, national and regional conferences along the topics of first-generation student success; Hispanic/Latina/o/x student success; diversity, equity and inclusion; navigating institutional politics; and imposture syndrome. Under her leadership, Dr. Guzmán developed three university-wide centers at FAU, a number of student success programs for marginalized populations, and several symposiums to advance and sustain diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for faculty, staff and students.
In 2020, Dr. Guzmán was instrumental in writing for and securing over $600,000 to support first-generation, low-income, and marginalized student populations. She continues to partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify funding that not only advances diversity, equity and inclusion goals of the institution, but addresses larger systemic barriers impacting marginalized populations. Additionally, Dr. Guzmán is currently a mentor in the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, which serves low-income first-generation college students and has mentored many students in the Red Jacket mentoring program and in graduate programs.
Prior to joining Florida Atlantic University, Dr. Guzmán worked for Wayne County Community College District in Detroit, Michigan for 12 years, where she last served as Chief Academic Officer and Provost of Health Sciences. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, listening to music, going to the beach, and reading.
Kavita Sawh
Training Specialist III
Kavita Sawh is a Training Specialist at the Ginsburg Center for Inclusion and Community Engagement, Office of Diversity Education and Training. In this role, she designs and facilitates Diversity, Equity and Inclusion related workshops for faculty, staff, students, and community partners. Kavita is also responsible for the department’s social media, website, and supervising staff, graduate and student assistants.
Kavita joined the UCF Knights as an undergraduate in 2002, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Education. She became an employee of UCF at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) which she called her “work home” for many years. In 2015 Kavita earned her Master’s degree in Human Resources Education and Leadership Training from Louisiana State University (LSU). After moving to the United States at the age of 17, she experienced a culture shock of an unexpected magnitude but quickly found a way to adapt to her new world. Adapting to her new normal was not without trials but this is where she realized the need for diversity education. Fast forward (a lot of) years later and she can honestly say that she LOVES the career she is in. Her passion for education and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion combine to help her be the best version of herself as a facilitator.
While Kavita may have a bit of tiger blood in her from her days at LSU she is a KNIGHT through and through!
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers