The Center for Inclusive Excellence

Dr. Anize Appel, MBA ’21, is the Executive Director for the Center for Global and Associate Dean for Study Abroad at Moravian University and is the Senior International Officer. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University in Natural Science, a Master of Education from Cedar Crest College, a Doctor of Education from Drexel University, and an MBA at Moravian University. Before making the transition to higher education, Dr. Appel served as an administrator in K-12 as Headmistress/principal and as the international students’ expert at two independent schools in Pennsylvania since 2005.

Dr. Appel has served and continues to serve the local, regional, and international community within a variety of professional, academic, and philanthropic organizations through publications, presentations and leadership as President, Vice President, Chairman on the board, board member, and committee member in organizations such as the Comparative International Education Society, Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society, NAFSA, NACU, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to name a few.

Her research interests include International Educational Trends, Supportive Processes Associated with Effective International Education, and the processes involved in the development of teacher and student resilience in climates situated in chronic crisis. She is always delighted to assist and support experiences that will enrich lives.

As Director of Academic Advising, Monica Cottrell oversees the onboarding process for new students, supports faculty advisors, and assists students with academic and career planning. Monica has extensive experience in academic and career advising, and working with transfer students. As an active member of NACADA (The Global Community for Academic Advising), Monica has presented both regionally and nationally and serves on the steering committee for the Advising Community for Transfer Students. Monica holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from The University of Akron, and a BA in Psychology from California University of Pennsylvania. Outside of work, she enjoys tough workouts, enthralling books, and good food.

Chris Hassay serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Academic Excellence focusing on Academic Support and Coordinates the Writing Center and Writing Fellows initiatives within the Writing at Moravian program.

Chris has been with the Writing at Moravian program since 2016 in the role of co-researcher with the Writing-Enriched Curriculum (WEC) project and also serving as the program's staff assistant. He teaches first-year writing as well as worldbuilding courses in the English and Writing Arts Department. His scholarship with Dr. Fodrey and the rest of the Writing at Moravian team has appeared in Composition Forum and Writing-Enriched Curricula: Models of Faculty-Driven and Departmental Transformation, and he has presented on WEC methods and FYW pedagogy at the Writing-Enriched Curriculum Institute, College Composition and Communication Conference, International Writing Across the Curriculum Conference, Small Liberal Arts College Writing Program Administrators Conference, and Watson Conference.

In his spare time, Chris enjoys all forms of speculative fiction; strategy and tabletop roleplaying games; and cooking.

As the Director of First-Generation Student Initiatives, Alvert helps first-generation college students navigate college through mentorship, programming, advocacy, and large-scale initiatives. Being a first-generation college student himself, he remembers the challenges he faced in his first semester as an undergraduate. He strives to help students develop necessary skills and build meaningful relationships with faculty, staff, and students on campus to enhance their college experience.

Alvert enjoys binge watching TV shows, playing video games, and following sports. He especially loves to play basketball, so you may find him in the ARC playing ball with students. If he doesn’t already know you, he looks forward to connecting with you on campus!

Dr. Chris Hunt (he/him/his), is Vice President and Dean for Equity and Inclusion at Moravian University and Instructor for Racial and Ethnic Inequality in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, he’s responsible for providing leadership, guidance, and coordination on diversity, equity, and inclusion at the institution including oversight of a key priority of the University strategic plan. He regularly collaborates with students, faculty, staff, academic departments, administrative offices, and student organizations to embed DEI in all areas of the University.

The social locations of race, ethnicity, age, religion, socioeconomic status, and gender are aspects of Dr. Hunt’s research and scholarship. His dissertation, “When Millennials Meet Baby Boomers: Multiple Case Study on the Experiences of Black Male College Students” examined the lived experiences of two generational cohorts of college graduates who navigated predominately White institutions (PWI) during the Baby Boomer generation of the 1960s and 1970s as well as those same PWIs during the Millennial era of the 2010s.

The husband of a college dean and the father of three Generation Z children, Dr. Hunt is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and earned a Master of Science in Administration from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.

As the Office Manager for the Moravian University Center for Inclusive Excellence, it is Gavin’s responsibility and joy to support Moravian’s students, faculty, staff, and the communities his Team serves. Some of his hobbies include: reading and writing, self-actualization, music, and thinking.

As an Academic Advisor, Ben assists first-year and undeclared students in navigating their college experience. A focus of his role is reviewing the student's intended major curriculum, Learning In Common requirements, and university policies with them, as well as assisting with course registration. Ben enjoys helping students with their transition into Moravian by assisting them grow in their time management skills and connecting them to campus resources. He also likes volunteering with Mo's Cupboard to assist in fighting food insecurity. Some of his hobbies include cooking, baking, thrifting, hiking, and watching investigative crime TV shows.

As the Assistant Director for Moravian University’s Center for Inclusive Excellence, Michelle serves as an advocate, mentor, and resource supporting historically underrepresented and marginalized students. She also serves as an on-call staff member, providing a 24/7 “on-call” emergency response/crisis intervention. Some of her hobbies include reading, watching movies, hiking, trying new foods and taking long walks with her dog.

Becki Silver has been a professional advisor since 2014. In 2022, she joined the Moravian Academic Advising Team with an extensive background in working with first time college students and major exploration. Becki holds an M.S. in Youth Counseling from the International Institute for Restorative Practices and is a Moravian University alum with a B.A. in English. Her favorite things include traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.

As the Office Manager for the Center for Global Education, it is Jes’s responsibility to help and support Moravian’s staff, faculty, and the International Student community. She also supports faculty and staff in coordinating travel for short-term study abroad travel. Her hobbies include cooking, spending time with family and friends, and doing community service.

Dr. Belinda Waller-Peterson is Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion at Moravian University and an Associate Professor of English. She teaches courses in African American literature and culture and the Health Humanities. She specializes in women’s health issues, maternity and illness narratives. She is also a licensed Registered Nurse in the state of Pennsylvania. Her nursing experience and English literature background allow her to explore multiple intersecting areas of study including the health humanities, women, gender, and sexuality, and Africana studies. 

She has published articles and presented conference papers on womb imagery and wellness in Black women’s literature. Her most recent publications include: “The Art of Death Book Review” in Journal of Medical Humanities, “‘Nobody Came/Cuz Nobody Knew’: Shame and Isolation in Ntozake Shange's ‘Abortion Cycle #1’” in CLA Journal, and “‘Are You Sure Sweetheart, That You Want to be Well?’ The Politics of Mental Health and Long-Suffering in Toni Cade Bambara’s The Salt Eaters” in Religions.

Allyson Waylen has worked as a Professional Academic Advisor since 2016 and has experience working with first-year students and students who are transitioning between majors. She has been working in the role of Professional Academic Advisor at Moravian since 2021 and in 2024, she became the Director of University Foundations, a college success course for first year students. Allyson earned a M.S. in Higher Education Counseling and Student Affairs from West Chester University and a B.A. in Psychology from Temple University. Allyson enjoys music, reading fantasy novels, crafting, and being outdoors.

Bryn is the master coordinator of Moravian's Global Greyhound Trips, supporting both faculty/staff trip leaders and students. She loves the opportunity to help students explore the world. Some of her treasured time is spent taking care of and collecting plants, practicing and teaching yoga, knitting and being social (only after 10am).