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Nichole Book has worked at Mansfield for over 16 years. They have served in several roles at the North Hall Library and recently transitioned to their role in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as the DEI coordinator and Title IX deputy for the Mansfield campus. Nichole lives in Mansfield with their family.

Q: What are some of your main responsibilities as DEI Coordinator?

A: In the simplest terms, I tell people, “My job is to make all students who come here feel like they belong.” We’re in a rural setting. We have students coming from all over. It’s a
big shift for them. One of my main responsibilities as DEI rep is representing Mansfield in spaces through a DEI lens. We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Black History Month, Pride Month. Some events are fun, like the silent discos and
movie nights. Others delve into some of the deeper issues around DEI. We hold workshops and create educational opportunities for faculty, staff, and students. We also partner across a lot of different divisions to provide support to underserved students and recruit a diverse student body. I help create space to have difficult conversations.

Q: What are some of your favorite parts of your job, and why?

A: Helping the students. Being there for them in whatever way I can to help them feel like they belong and can be successful while they’re here, whether it’s sitting and chatting about what happened that day or what’s going on with their friend groups. Being able to support them in a variety of ways is really impactful. I love spending time with them in different environments.

Q: How do you define student success?

A: Success is the diploma. For me, student success is a holistic experience. Academic success is really critical, but there’s so much more Mansfield can provide—opportunities for students to get out of their comfort zone, leadership roles, facing adversity along the way, all the while being supported by us here. I’ve seen students step up and take a leadership role and find their voice through that—finding that holistic approach and being supported while they do it.

Q: You’re very involved in the Mansfield community. How does this enhance your role and help build relationships for Mansfield’s students?

A: I can be their voice in rooms and spaces they’re not able to be in. I can tell their stories to people I know—I can let them know our students are here, and they need support
from the community. We’ve been trying to build that “town and gown” relationship back up since COVID. Students don’t need to be in the community with things like Door Dash and ordering online. We all got really good at staying in and staying away. We have to be a little more intentional now about creating opportunities and bringing the community to
campus. One thing I love about DEI is bringing people together and creating that sense of inclusion and belonging. Being involved with the community is one more way I can do that. 

Q: Why is Mansfield such a great place to be?

A: As a campus, we are a community. We know each other and support each other through the good and the bad. It’s really important to us to have the tight-knit community we have on campus. We go through our days with students at the forefront of all we do.

Q: What’s your favorite way to unwind?

A: If it’s just me, I love listening to true crime podcasts and documentaries. I also love spending time with my family. We’re all foodies and love to find new and interesting places to eat. My daughter is 9 and is already quite the foodie.

This story appears in the summer 2024 issue of the Mansfieldian Magazine.