Daniella Mingo was born and raised in Georgetown, Guyana, and moved to Atlanta during high school. She arrived at Bard via the Posse Leadership Scholarship. Dani has a background in residence life, civic engagement, and mentorship. She graduated with a bachelors in sociology and has found great passion for mentorship and investment in youth development during her time here. She has been working with the OEI office since her first year at Bard where she has held roles as an office assistant, building manager, peer mentor, and eventually peer mentor liaison.
Daniella Mingo ’21
She has a deep desire to continue the work of equity and inclusion via mentorship and leadership development. Dani is excited to bring her passion for the POC community, for education and access as she continues to work in the office. Daniella shares with students that in her experience at Bard, she was able to make it her home and create several opportunities for networking at Bard and beyond. In her role as academic advisor, she works to build a strong Posse community and support all OEI scholars and community members in making Bard a stepping stone to success.
Karen Ruiz León
Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion Programs
Karen is an Ecuadorian/Asian immigrant born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She is a passionate bilingual/bicultural advocate dedicated to the success of her students and community through a holistic approach and the lenses of equity and inclusion. With a Master’s in Higher Education Administration and a Certificate in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Karen is at the forefront of ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed.
Karen Ruiz León
She previously worked for La Voz Magazine at Bard College, where she helped manage its operations, orchestrating events, and upholding the magazine's vibrant voice across print and digital platforms. Previously, as a Community Outreach Counselor at Berkshire Community College, Karen was a pivotal force in developing multilingual outreach strategies and fostering student retention among minoritized populations. Her approach to community engagement and educational support bestowed her two “40 Under Forty” awards, recognizing her exceptional contributions to diversity, social justice, equity, and inclusion within Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
Karen’s career includes positions with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center, and Boulder County Public Health. Her roles have consistently highlighted her ability to bridge communication gaps, drive impactful initiatives, and advocate for education in underserved communities.
A lifelong learner, Karen has immersed herself in a decolonizing process of self-actualization and a variety of professional development opportunities, from conferences on race and ethnicity to workshops on trauma and mental health. Her dedication to these areas underscores her commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive educational environments that enact meaningful change for students from all walks of life.
Tahj Frazier, a product of Bard Early College New Orleans, Bard College, and a graduate of Bard MAT, brings a wealth of experience and passion for mentorship and leadership development. Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, Tahj's journey into academia was shaped by his background in sociology and a profound commitment to equity and inclusion. Tahj's involvement with Bard's OEI office since his freshman year underscores his dedication, having served in various capacities from office assistant to Post Bac Fellow for the Bard Early Colleges.
Tahj Frazier ’22 MAT ’23
Tahj's mission is rooted in fostering mentorship and investment in youth development, a testament to his desire to continue advancing equity and inclusion within educational settings.
During her time at Bard, Emily made significant contributions as a Programming Intern for the OEI Office and was actively involved in the SCALE project. Now transitioning into a staff role, Emily will be supervising the Space Manager team at Kappa House and overseeing various logistical aspects related to Kappa House operations. Additionally, she will collaborate with the ODIE Office to manage the Student Relief Fund. Emily is excited to continue her journey with the Bard community and looks forward to contributing her skills and enthusiasm to her new role.