You Belong Profiles

Anne
Anne Pham
DDS Student

I’ve always felt that I belong at the SOD. Even in days of self-doubt or when my confidence takes a hit, I’ve always had faculty and peers remind me that we were all chosen for a reason. You roll with the punches, even in Cell and Molecular Biology.
My sense of belonging has always meant one thing: being unapologetically myself. Belonging to me, is being able to portray the most raw and authentic version of myself in my thoughts, words, and actions. It rings true when I am able to voice my opinion, even when it may not align with my peers. Belonging is having the luxury of being emotionally vulnerable and transparent, when I need help, and knowing that I’ll always have non-judgmental friends that will support me through it.
The best description of us would be a group of odds and ends. We span a variety of religious beliefs, ages, life experiences, and hobbies. At a glance, we have nothing in common, other than the fact that we never thought that we would be friends. Yet, the dynamic works together seamlessly. Community to me isn’t about finding others who are exactly like me. Community is about stepping out of my comfort zone, playing off of each other’s differences, experiencing culture, and exploring the idiosyncrasies that make my peers uniquely them.

Anthony
Anthony Barraco
DH Student

Being one of three guys (in a class of 37), but being the only queer man makes me unique within my own class. I have often felt like I didn’t belong. But something kind of cool that seems to have come from this project: this unwritten camaraderie from some of the people who are a part of it! I’ve said hi to a couple people from the mural that I don’t think I would have otherwise, and that felt special. 

Adam
Adam Johnson
Staff

Being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community has always made me stand out, for better or worse, but I see that as an asset at the School of Dentistry as it makes others feel more included when they see representation of people like them. Also, as someone who struggles with social anxiety and depression, being open and talking about my own struggles can make others feel less alone.

Brhan
Brhan Eskinder
DDS Student

My journey to the SOD is a very special one. It isn’t the most linear, but I look back on my story and appreciate how each experience nourished and prepared me for dental school. Teaching gave me a deep awareness of how we are all bound to our communities and contributing to the wellbeing of one another’s lives is just as impactful as self-care. My time in the classroom made me a passionate civil servant, a trustworthy teammate, and a fiercely loving community member. I intend to take all of those parts of me right into dentistry as well.

Carmen
Carmen Vega
DH Student

I feel like I have found my sense of belonging but I did not always feel this way initially. I was nervous when beginning at the SOD, I was never strong academically due to my neurodivergence and felt intimidated by this institution. I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2020 and finally felt heard. I learned ways to accommodate my thought processes which has tremendously affected my performance. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there are challenges faced due to differing personal, cultural, and religious beliefs which can cause uneasiness and can lead to microaggressions. Though it is uneasy, it is important to encourage education and equity for all groups within the SOD to ensure belonging. 

Cherokee
Cherokee Taylor
Staff

Yes, I feel like I belong at the SoD now. It didn't feel this way immediately; it took some time for me to feel truly comfortable, and I'll admit there are still times I am uncomfortable. Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities to collaborate with others on committees and events here, so it helped me feel a sense of belonging quicker than I anticipated.

Cheryl
Cheryl Quiney
Staff

Being accepted as you are. And accepting others for who they are. That’s belonging. I had the unique opportunity to be one of the first Co-chairs of our diversity committee called the Multicultural Affairs Committee (MAC). The Dental School was one of the first schools on campus to pioneer diversity work. We're still going strong and committed!

Dorca
Dorcas Sam-Ayodele
ITDP Student

The 'You Belong' campaign is a reminder that diversity is an integral part of our collective strength, and my evolving sense of belonging reflects the inclusivity fostered within the SOD. At times, it felt overwhelming, but being part of this community has made me realize that I belong here just as much as anyone else. My unique journey as a student and mother enriches our community. Through challenges and triumphs, I've found my place, and I am proud to say that I belong here.

Eve
Erv Green
Staff

This profound sense of belonging in my job setting has had a transformative impact on me. Feeling wholly accepted for my diverse experiences and unique perspectives empowers me to contribute authentically. The rich tapestry of diversity that surrounds me creates an environment where I feel not only accepted but also inspired, enabling me to flourish and offer my best self without reservation.

Lauren
Lauren Surface
Faculty

I have complicated feelings about belonging within an institution. Will an institution ever love you back? Probably not. However, you can build community with individuals, and the relationships I have with people in the SoD have been crucial to my excitement and professional fulfillment during these somewhat stressful years of building a research program. 

Martina
Marita Inglehart
Faculty

The dental school is like a village in the university. I have been here since February 1990 and got to know so many people since then that it feels like home when I walk through the dental school.  

Momina
Momina Mujahid
DDS Student

My diverse background has cultivated a range of skills that I bring to dentistry, including clarity of thought, technical precision, effective communication, and a strong work ethic. This blend enables me to approach patient care and problem-solving with a fresh perspective. Rooted in a commitment to lifelong learning and the aspiration to make a meaningful difference, my journey underscores my potential as an asset to the School of Dentistry and the field as a whole.

Said
Said Al-Jazeeri
DH, DDS Student

Absolutely, SOD has been a home away from home. The sense of belonging has only deepened with time. Initially, it was the excitement of learning that drew me in, but as I took on various roles and responsibilities, the school became a constant in my life. The community's support during my transitions, from student to faculty, has cemented my sense of belonging here.

Tommy
Tommy Lau
DDS Student

Being a first generation college student and with nobody in my family in the dental field, I found my dental family at the U-M School of Dentistry. Among my cohort alone, we have individuals with so many different hobbies and interests, but we bond over our love for teeth and support each other in our other endeavors outside of the school. At Michigan, I am not only provided with the knowledge from the experts of the field to learn how to advocate advancement in oral health and desire to serve our patients, but also the support from colleagues, faculty, and staff and the community here.

The You Belong campaign

The You Belong campaign was inspired by a conversation in a DEI-MAC meeting while discussing the most recent climate survey here at UMSOD. There are many people who may not feel that they fit in at the SOD, or who don’t know anyone like them here. I’ve felt like that before myself. So I proposed a short-term to long term solution- an internal communications campaign, designed to celebrate the wide range of people we have at the School of Dentistry. We looked for individuals to feature that have non-traditional backgrounds, unusual hobbies or fun things they do for recreation, individuals who have an identity they identify with strongly, people who don't fit into the stereotype of what a professor, dentist, student or staff member would look like or act like. Each person asked to participate answered a series of questions about belonging, and had a photo shoot that featured visual representation of their uniqueness. The “You Belong” mural was installed on a first floor wall in January of 2024. Stay tuned for new features and new participants as we expand this project!

Cilia - You Belong Camp

You Belong Creator Celia Alcumbrack

You Belong DOS campaign

Behind the scenes with photographer Mary Lewandowski

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