Shannon Zlotkowski, M.S., Assistant Provost for Community and Belonging, oversees the Office of Community and Belonging which serves our Biddeford, Portland, and online campuses. Her office supports programming, dialogue, engagement, and leadership development related to diversity, inclusion, community, and belonging for all students and employees. Shannon does this work with an exceptional group of Community and Belonging student fellows who curate and deliver programming related to a variety of cultural and religious identities.
Some examples of programming include: a free barbershop that specializes in cutting and styling all kinds of hair including textured hair; a celebration of the International Day of Men with food and conversation about the different facets of masculinity; a Lunar New Year gathering with red envelope crafts; Ramadan sundown snacks; Shabbat lunches; and National Coming Out Day stories. The Office of Community and Belonging also oversees the Cultural Exchange Lounge in the Ripich Commons which is a vibrant hub open to all; students are often seen in the lounge playing pool or the Wii, having student club meetings, taking study breaks, or participating in one of the office’s many programs.
Additionally, Shannon provides support to student organizations like Cru Christian Ministry, the Alliance, and the Black and Latinx Student Union. Shannon also serves as the chair of the University Committee on Community and Belonging which oversees and advances the university’s strategic priority to create an exceptionally welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant community. To that end, Shannon collaborates with colleagues on initiatives to assess students’ reported sense of feeling accepted, connected, and supported at UNE, and advocates for additional supportive measures when gaps are identified. Shannon collaborates with colleagues all over campus to provide workshops and professional development on a variety of community and belonging topics like intercultural communication, inclusive leadership development, and creating communities where all students feel a sense of belonging at UNE. Lastly, the office of community and belonging coordinates annual campus-wide programming for events like the MLK Celebration and CultureFest.
Shannon received her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Marquette University and her master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University. She has worked in higher education since 1998 and more specifically within residential life at the University of New Hampshire as a hall director, assistant director, and assistant dean of students. She then served as the director of Residence Life at Southern New Hampshire University before joining UNE as the assistant provost for community and belonging in 2022. Shannon was one of this year’s recipients of UNE’s President’s Award for Constructive Discourse.
