MEET OUR STAFF
Hillary Montague-Asp, Ph.D. (she/her)
Director, Office of Student Diversity & Inclusion
Phone: (518) 580-8103
Dr. Hillary Montague-Asp (she/her) is a white, queer, fat, cisgender femme from a
professional class family, and has a chronic illness that is sometimes disabling.
Hillary is a social justice educator and DEI practitioner with over a decade of experience
doing equity-centered work to support marginalized students in higher education. She
uses relational and reflexive approaches in her own self-work and in her work with
students, staff, faculty, and community members to support personal growth, professional
development, and to co-create critical communities of care. She is a formally trained
intergroup dialogue facilitator and coach and has worked with students and facilitators
on semester-long dialogues focusing on race, sexuality, and/or gender. Hillary has
also taught courses at the undergraduate and graduate level on social (in)justice
in the US education system and ableism & disability justice. She recently co-authored
a book chapter on ableism & disability justice in Teaching for Diversity and Social
Justice, 4th edition (Routledge, 2022). Hillary holds a B.A. from the University of
Colorado – Boulder where she studied women & gender studies and sociology and an M.Ed.
and Ph.D. in social justice education from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
In her free time, Hillary loves talking and learning about all things social justice,
being outdoors (particularly in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado), spending time with
her partner and 4 cats, watching women’s college basketball, and making music with
friends. Hillary’s office (Case 203) is stocked with tea/cider/hot chocolate, snacks,
candy, and fidget toys - please stop by and say hello!
osdi student staff members
Raka (she/her), '29 (currently aborad)
Major: Political Science and Biology
What’s a hidden talent or hobby you have that most people wouldn’t know about?
I used to perform on television, whether it was singing, dancing, or acting to Bengali
and Hindi songs. I also did live shows on Facebook of my singing performances, with
me playing instruments such as the harmonium and the sitar.
If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would eat Indian cuisine for the rest of my life. I love the fiery taste, especially
street foods like pani puri and samosas.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
After a long day, I like to spend time with my cat and make photo albums to relive
memories.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Just because you love the ocean doesn’t mean you have to drown in it.”
What’s one thing on your bucket list that you’re determined to accomplish?
I want to travel to multiple countries with the money I earn and learn to cook authentic
dishes from each place I visit.
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Ivan (he/him), '27
Major: Computer Science and Economics
What’s a hidden talent or hobby you have that most people wouldn’t know about?
As of late, I've really taken a big liking to volleyball and badminton.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
After a long day I love to see my friends and just hangout or chat with them.
If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I could only eat one cuisine for the rest of my life, it would probably be Chinese
food.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I heard in my life was probably "Don't waste your time dwelling
on things that you can't change, focus your time on things you can change."
What’s one thing on your bucket list that you’re determined to accomplish?
One thing on my bucket list I'd like to complete one day is to gain fluency in Mandarin.
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Taha (he/him), '29
Major: Computer Science and Economics
What’s a hidden talent or hobby you have that most people wouldn’t know about?
I love cooking Pakistani food and trying different cuisines.
If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
South Asian cuisine for the win!
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
Call my mother and talk to her.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The harder you work, the luckier you become.
What’s one thing on your bucket list that you’re determined to accomplish?
Studying abroad once during my college journey!
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Allison (she/her), '27
Major: Art Administration
Minor: Religious Studies
What’s a hidden talent or hobby you have that most people wouldn’t know about?
I really like going on runs at night.
If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Any kind of Asian food.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
Laying in my bed and going on my phone.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don't be afraid of people thinking you're weird because there will always be someone
weirder than you.
What’s one thing on your bucket list that you’re determined to accomplish?
Visiting every continent at least once in my life.
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massiel (she/her), '27
Major: Political Science
What’s a hidden talent or hobby you have that most people wouldn’t know about?
I learned how to competitive cup stack in the 7th grade, and got pretty good at it.
If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Dominican food, all day every day.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
The Vampire Diaries or Modern Family.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Never change who you are to satisfy anyone else.
What’s one thing on your bucket list that you’re determined to accomplish?
Travel to Australia!
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Givi (he/him), '28 (currently abroad)
Major: Business and Management
What’s a hidden talent or hobby you have that most people wouldn’t know about?
Growing up, I used to play piano
If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Haitian
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
Playing basketball
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Be intentional with everything you do
What’s one thing on your bucket list that you’re determined to accomplish?
Travel to Japan
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mary (she/her), '29
Major: Sociology
Minor: Gender Studies
What’s a hidden talent or hobby you have that most people wouldn’t know about?
I used to play as point guard in basketball and still love to play for fun!
If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Japanese (I love sushi!)
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
Doordash some food and listen to music.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Comparison makes us strangers to ourselves.
What’s one thing on your bucket list that you’re determined to accomplish?
Adopt a rescue dog.
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