Meet Our Staff
Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP
Associate Vice Chancellor for Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity
Chief Diversity Officer
malston1@uthsc.edu
Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP is an alumnus of UT-Martin with a BS in Psychology and an MS in Educational Psychology. He has an earned doctorate from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University in addition to professional certificates in diversity management from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University and in leading diversity, equity, and inclusion from the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University. His work experiences in higher education encompass residence life administration, student recruitment and admissions, undergraduate instruction and training, employee relations, student conduct administration, equity, and diversity. Dr. Alston has worked for three UT campuses (Martin, Knoxville, and Memphis) which equals 30+ years of service. Michael is the current board chair of Shelby County’s Civil Service Merit Board.
Michael is a native of Brighton, Tennessee in Tipton County and graduate of Munford High School.
Miriam Ghandi
ADA/EEO Management Specialist
mghandi@uthsc.edu
As the ADA/EEO Management Specialist, Miriam’s duties include facilitating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Interactive Process, overseeing EEO compliance, primary complaint intake and investigation assistance, and posting Post-Doctoral Scholar and faculty positions.
As a Memphis native, Miriam attended the University of Memphis and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in Fall of 2020. She joined the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in early December 2021.
Abigail Marbibi-Caritan, MA
EEO/Title IX Management Specialist
abigail.caritan@uthsc.edu
Abigail’s duties include processing ADA accommodations including Trainee accommodations and accessible parking. She is the liaison for faculty postings for the College of Medicine for all campuses and the College of Dentistry. Upper-level searches for the Executive Vice Chancellor Administration and AFSA are also part of her duties. Abigail oversees Title IX Education for Trainees, compiling data for the EEO / Affirmative Action Plan and complaint intake.
Abigail is a University of Memphis graduate. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in May 2017 and a Master of Professional Studies degree with a concentration in Human Resource Leadership and Strategic Leadership certification in December 2021. Abigail has been with OIED since March 2022.
Miki Sisco-Sankrityayan, JD
Senior Compliance Resolution Officer
msiscosa@uthsc.edu
Miki Sisco-Sankrityayan started as the OIED’s Senior Compliance Resolution Officer in May 2022. Miki works collaboratively with OIED’s partners to ensure UTHSC’s compliance with federal and state antidiscrimination laws, as well as university policies and procedures, by: conducting impartial investigations of complaints of discrimination; facilitating informal resolutions of complaints; providing training on antidiscrimination laws, university policies, and diversity and inclusion-related issues, and; monitoring, reviewing, and approving executive, faculty, and staff hiring.
Miki received her BA in Anthropology from Bates College, her MA in Anthropology and Women’s & Gender Studies from Brandeis University, and her JD from Northeastern University School of Law. Prior to joining UTHSC, she practiced domestic violence and employment discrimination law.
Arielle Brown, LMSW
Associate Resolution Consultant
abrow294@uthsc.edu
Arielle Brown’s preferred pronouns are She, Her, and Hers. As the Associate Resolution Consultant, Arielle’s duties include evaluating and ensuring UTHSC’s compliance with nondiscrimination and anti-harassment laws, regulations, and institutional policies by conducting impartial investigations of complaints of discrimination and/or harassment complaints submitted by students, employees, faculty, and others associated with UTHSC that may encompass providing alternative and formal resolutions. She also will support and facilitate UTHSC campus outreach and engagement training/activities within OIED.
Arielle received her BS degree in Sociology from Middle Tennessee State University and her MSW degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. Arielle’s work experience in higher education includes undergraduate and graduate student support services, student behavioral risk mitigation/evaluation, undergraduate instruction, working on the university faculty/staff senate, and serving as the primary faculty/staff liaison for students. Arielle is a native Memphian who believes in and advocates for the upward mobility/success of her beloved city and its people!
Erika Luna
Engagement Associate
eriluna@uthsc.edu
In May 2023, Erika Luna started with OIED as the Engagement Associate. She performs a variety of administrative and operational support, programmatic, communications, and compliance assistance duties. Erika serves as a first contact by phone, email, video, or in-person visit for information, questions, and intake in OIED.
Erika coordinates the Diversity Certificate Program (DCP) and internal requests for an Education Package under the OIED Education and Learning program. She organizes the Diversity Matters newsletter in addition to the Lichterman, CESA, and DEI Faculty award programs that include the promotion, selection committee meetings, record-keeping, and interviews, in addition to assisting with planning and execution of the annual IMPACT Awards program.
Erika received her BS in Health Studies from the University of Memphis, and her prior professional work experience is from within the local non-profit environment.