Kathy Cozad
Office Manager and Assistant to Executive Director
Email Kathy for assistance with NCORE registration, group registration, and payments.
Kathy joined our team February 2018 as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies. Before joining our team, she worked the past 16 years for the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma where she held the positions of Program Manager, HR, Property and Procurement and Program Coordinator for the CCDF program. Kathy has received her Administrative Assistant I & II and Business Core Competency Certificates from Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center in Ft. Cobb, Oklahoma. She has also attended Cameron University and Comanche Nation College.
She is a member of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma and comes from Kiowa descent as well. She and her husband Daniel moved to Norman in September 2017. She has three children and three grandchildren, whom she loves spending time with. Now that she has seen her children through high school and one through college, she is inspired to continue to pursue her education in Business Administration which she plans to do in the near future.
Emake Fisher
MSW Practicum Student
Email Emake
Emake Fisher is currently an MSW (Master of Social Work) practicum student at the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies (SWCHRS), where he brings his passion for social change and community empowerment to the forefront of his work. He holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Human Services from the University of Central Oklahoma, which laid the foundation for his deep interest in understanding social systems and how they impact marginalized communities. Emake’s dedication to macro-level social work is driven by his desire to create systemic change through community organizing, policy advocacy, and strategic interventions. He was drawn to social work by a commitment to helping individuals and communities achieve a better quality of life, believing that meaningful, lasting change comes from empowering people and transforming the environments in which they live.
Cody Harris
MSW Practicum Student
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Cody Harris is a Marine Corps veteran from Utah. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Utah where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy of Science. During his undergraduate work he completed an undergraduate research project on the philosophy of proprioception and he interned at the Utah State Legislature for the 2021 legislative session and the redistricting session. Cody then got his Masters degree in philosophy at the University of Oklahoma where he presented at the 2022 southwestern philosophical society annual conference and the 2023 conference for the Association of Practical and Professional Ethics. Now Cody is pursuing a Master of Social Work at the University of Utah where he is sharpening his focus on the topic of male vulnerability in social work.
Justin Lincks
Senior Program Administrator
Email Justin about NCORE session programming, scheduling, and content.
As a member of the Southwest Center staff, Justin has served the NCORE conference for more than 20 years. Justin first joined the Southwest Center in 2001 as a temporary employee, working to update and digitize the NCORE mailing system. In 2003, He accepted a full-time job as staff assistant to Pari Shahabi-Nabavi (who at the time served as the program organizer for NCORE). Over the years, he has served the conference in various capacities such as webmaster, graphics and media designer, marketing and public relations coordinator, exhibits coordinator, audiovisual coordinator, webinar host and technician, and publications and press coordinator. He has also served as the secretary and coordinator for the activities of the NCORE National Advisory Council (NAC) and the Executive Committee of the Southwest Center. Now as program administrator, Justin supervises a small staff of programmers who work to develop conferences and gatherings that are informed by and answerable to the community of NCORE.
Justin found purpose and a deep commitment to act in support of social justice and racial equity projects through his service to and emersion into the community of the NCORE conference. While a staff member of the Southwest Center, he has gained experience as an intergroup dialogue facilitator, leading numerous dialogues on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. Justin has also been a student of numerous developmental learnings focused on changemaking. He is particularly grateful to have participated in learning opportunities organized by the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond and the Social Justice Training Institute.
Prior to joining the Southwest Center, Justin served in the United States military as a weather forecaster for the Air Force Air National Guard. Over the course of his military career, Justin was called to active duty to provide weather forecasting support for Operation Allied Force (OAF), Operation Northern Watch (ONW), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Stabilization Force (SFOR). His last deployment in service of supporting the efforts Bosnian people are undertaking to return to societal normalcy initially prevented Justin from accepting a full-time position at the Center. Although he advised Pari to move on with hiring someone else, he has always been grateful she decided not to.
Ajia Meux
Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Projects
Email Ajia to inquire about sponsoring NCORE or to discuss opportunities for technical assistance, consulting, or training.
Ajia recently earned a PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma (OU). Her research philosophy informs an agenda that focuses on both pro-social and critical analyses of Black representation—that is, how the lives of Black people are made better and/or worse through media and communication. With that philosophy in mind, her research agenda looks at the relationship between communication, culture, identity and power in corporate philanthropy, activist, and visual representation contexts. Ajia returned to SWCHRS after two-years in OU Advancement/OU Foundation where she supported the operations and execution of the LEAD ON Campaign – OU’s $2B fundraising campaign.
Before transitioning into communications, Ajia worked as a social worker clinician in the Washington, D.C. area and with the Department of Defense, focusing on sexual, domestic and combat trauma. Her commitment to racial and social justice is largely influenced by her work as a social worker, as she recognizes the inherent dignity and worth of human beings and their contribution to the world. Ajia holds an MA from University of Oklahoma (2018), an MSW from Howard University (2005) and a BS from California State University, Fresno (2001). She is originally from Oakland, CA.
Kathie Nicoletti
Event / Conference Manager
Email Kathie with questions about NCORE hotels / venues, food and beverage functions, or the NCORE Job Board.
Kathie's work at SWCHRS includes sourcing future conference venues and hotels, negotiating contracts, and making logistical arrangements for current conferences. A lifelong learner, she earned a Certified Meeting Professional designation in 2007, an M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education in 2016, and a Virtual Meeting Management certificate in 2020.
Kathie creates jewelry and other crafty things and lives by the motto "do something creative every day".
Debbie O'Dell
Business and Virtual Program Manager
Email Debbie for inquiries about business contracting, the NCORE Exhibit Hall, or the NCORE Connections online conference.
Debbie is our most recent graduate from the OU Extended campus’ accelerated degree program. She earned her B.A. in Organizational Leadership in her spare time over two quick years. Debbie’s hard work and perseverance not only earned her a degree but also a promotion within our department to Business and Virtual Meeting Manager. In this role, Debbie will continue to serve as the budgeting manager, exhibit and advertising manager, the point of contact for all contracting, and the organization of our virtual events such as webinars and our newest program, NCORE Virtual Connections.
In her spare time Debbie enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, and game night with friends.
César Pardo, MSW
Senior Program Coordinator
Email César with questions regarding NCORE sessions, presenters, or NCORE Poster Session arrangements.
César Pardo serves as a Senior Program Coordinator at the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies (SWCHRS), where he supports a wide range of programming efforts aimed at fostering equity and inclusion in higher education. He holds an MSW (2024) and a BA in Human Relations (2020) from the University of Oklahoma.
As a Latine professional born and raised in Oklahoma, Pardo brings valuable insights into social work macro practice, focusing on how organizations can improve communication and collaboration across diverse communities. His experience in program development and higher education administration informs his approach to conflict resolution and institutional negotiations, making him well-equipped to facilitate discussions on effective dialogue strategies in academic and professional settings.
Stephanie Salyer
Senior Program Coordinator
Email Stephanie with questions regarding NCORE sessions, presenters, or the NCORE Student Scholars Program.
Stephanie is an independent filmmaker who grew up in parts of Southeast Missouri, Ohio, and the Philippines. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Film and Doctorate of Philosophy in Mass Communication.
Jovany Trevino
Event / Conference Coordinator
Email Jovany about NCORE accessibilty arrangements.
Originally from Arlington, TX and of Mexican descent, Jovany has a passion for orchestrating memorable experiences. He specializes in planning and executing successful events and conferences tailored to diverse audiences. With a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving, he ensures that every event runs smoothly from start to finish.
Jovany believes that strong logistical and organizational skills are essential for professional success and serve as the foundation for turning any event or dream into reality. He holds a Master’s degree in Communication from the University of Oklahoma (2023) and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Political Science from Texas A&M University-Commerce (2021). Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, running, and exploring new places through travel.