March 17, 2020

Elms College welcomes three new staff members

REGIONAL
Staff report

(iObserve file photo)

CHICOPEE — The College of Our Lady of the Elms announced the appointment of three directors to its staff: Michael Crawford, the director of diversity and inclusion; Andrea Holden, the director of alumni relations; and Pablo Madera, the director of public safety.

As director of diversity and inclusion, Michael Crawford is committed to the holistic development of students within and beyond the classroom via empowerment, education, support, and advocacy. He has experience in diversity programming and academic support in higher education at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, the University of Connecticut, non-profit organizations, and as an independent consultant.

Most recently, Crawford was a research associate in a culture and mental health disparities lab at the University of Connecticut. He also has extensive experience with various social justice and college preparation initiatives for vulnerable populations, first-generation and low-income students, and diverse populations. Crawford holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Haverford College and a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Connecticut. He also earned a certificate in college instruction and a master’s degree in adult learning from the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut.

Andrea Holden, as director of alumni relations, develops initiatives that increase alumni engagement and also advance the goals of the college. She has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, serving in a variety of roles within student affairs, including campus programs, campus center management, new student programs, leadership, and residential life. Most recently, she was student engagement specialist for the dean of students at the Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick, R.I., and the director of student activities, involvement and leadership, at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. She holds a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Worcester State College and a master’s degree in marketing from Webster University.   

As director of public safety, Pablo Madera manages the safety measures for the entire campus, as well as the administration of safety policies and protocols. Madera is a 37-year veteran of the Ludlow Police Department, where he progressed from patrolman to sergeant to lieutenant and, for the past seven years, served as the department’s chief of police. He served as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Western New England University (WNEU) for 23 years and also spent time consulting on multicultural awareness issues and policing. Madera earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Westfield State University and his master’s degree in criminal justice administration from WNEU. In addition, he graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.