Frederick Douglass Institute
A system-wide collaborative initiated by West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 1999 with membership available to all 14 universities within Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
East Stroudsburg University's Frederick Douglass Institute (FDI) is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education collaborative established to promote multiculturalism, foster inclusive communities, and build transformative connections. Inspired by Frederick Douglass and other distinguished leaders of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, FDI promotes academic excellence as a standard at our university and is meant to enhance understanding and appreciation of human diversity.
Mission
At East Stroudsburg University, the Frederick Douglass Institute has a mission to enhance and support diversity among faculty, staff, and students through research, forums, exhibits, conferences, and visiting scholars. Our institute serves to develop and implement collaborative interdisciplinary projects across campus and encourages the exchange of ideas around issues of cultural diversity and social equality among the campus community. It also provides opportunities for FDI scholars to participate in diversity research, outreach, to involve the greater community in diversity programming, and to sponsor an annual diversity forum.
Objectives
- To serve as a research and resource center for intercultural and interdisciplinary studies
- To improve the retention and graduation rate of historically underrepresented students
- To develop programs that will facilitate partnerships between ESU and the community
- To foster understanding, awareness, and respect for diverse cultures
- To strengthen ties and promote collaboration among ESU faculty, students, and PASSHE institutions
FDI Faculty Scholars
East Stroudsburg University welcomes our Frederick Douglass Scholar to campus for the 2023-2024 academic year, Nere Kapiteni, instructor for the Department of Art + Media + Design.
During her work as a freelance motion graphics artist she has worked in-person and
remotely with small local businesses, boutique design companies and independent filmmakers
across numerous states, from Massachusetts to Washington.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in animation as well as a Bachelor of Science in wildlife conservation from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and a master’s degree in 3D animation and computer graphics from the New York Institute of Technology.
She won Best MFA Animation at the 2015 NYIT Animation & Film Festival for her thesis animation HOME.
Her interest in studying animation and wildlife stemmed from her desire to combine her passion for art and environmental education. Her goal is to use animation to create educational and entertaining media that promotes engagement in the sciences and addresses environmental issues.
The Frederick Douglass Institute (FDI) at ESU has a mission to enhance and support diversity among faculty, staff, and students through research, forums, exhibits, conferences, and visiting scholars. The institution serves to develop and implement collaborative interdisciplinary projects across campus and encourages the exchange of ideas around issues of cultural opportunities for FDI scholars to participate in diversity research, outreach, to involve the greater community in diversity programming, and to sponsor an annual diversity forum.
Contact Us
Contact Information
- Campus Address
- Stroud Hall 309 H
- Phone:
- (570) 422-3992
- Title of Department Leader
- Coordinator
- Name
- Laura Kieselbach
- E:
- lkieselbac@esu.edu
