Assistant Director

Mimi Sperl, LMSW-Macro (she/her/hers) is the Assistant Director of the Center for Women and Gender Equity. Mimi holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Boston College with advanced certificates in Financial Management of Non-Profit Organizations and Child Welfare Systems. She brings experience in higher education, community engagement, and domestic violence services to the CWGE team.

In her role as Assistant Director, Mimi oversees CWGE’s Replenish food pantry, NIARA, and the Girls of Color Summit. Other areas of professional interest include violence-prevention programming, disability advocacy, and fair hiring practices.

Mimi is a proud Midwesterner and excited to be back after 10 years in New England. On the weekends, you can catch her out hiking, training her dog, or nerding out about plants.

The Center for Women & Gender Equity Graduate Assistant (CWGE GA)

Benjamin Ohene (He/Him/His) is a graduate student in the school of community leadership and development pursuing a Master program in Public Administration. He is passionate about social justice and advocacy. Ohene coordinates Replenish, the on- campus basic needs resource center, and assists with programming at the Center for Women and Gender Equity.

Ohene received his bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in English from the University of Ghana, Legon, in Ghana, West Africa. He has great passion for planning, coordinating, and organizing programs and events for the purpose of advocacy. In his home country, he has led various fundraiser and donation activities for the benefit of some disadvantaged members of his local community in his time served as Vice President of the National Union of Presbyterian students Ghana (NUPS-G) at the University of Ghana.

As a Public Administration student and graduate assistant, Ohene is ready to use the experiences he would gain to support projects and meaningful interventions geared toward curbing food insecurities and helping people in need. He hopes create a space which helps the equitable distribution of food resources at GVSU to ensure that students, faculty and staff of the GVSU campus community have a sense of belonging.

Replenish Student Assistant

Elinor Edlund is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Education at Grand Valley State University. She is passionate about helping others and strives to make people’s days brighter in any way she can. As a student staff member at Replenish, Elinor supports fellow GVSU students in accessing essential resources and connecting them to emergency assistance. Her daily responsibilities include restocking shelves, taking inventory, assisting students at checkout, and contributing to creative projects such as designing bulletin boards and making signs.

Elinor is especially passionate about seeing the tangible impact Replenish has on the campus community. She enjoys having genuine conversations with students, hearing their stories, and witnessing how these resources make a meaningful difference in their lives. She also values the sense of community and kindness that exists within Replenish and the CWGE, finding it rewarding to be part of an organization that brings people together through care and compassion.

Replenish Student Assistant

CJ Jones is an undergraduate student majoring in Occupational Safety and Health at Grand Valley State University. As a student assistant with Replenish, he helps restock shelves and supports students in accessing food and healthcare items. CJ enjoys building meaningful connections through his work and values the opportunity to make a positive impact on the GVSU community each day. Outside of work and academics, he plays football, enjoys car and video games, and is deeply family-oriented.

Replenish Student Intern

Kasia Norman is pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Dietetics at Grand Valley. As a student dietetic intern, she helps restock inventory, assist students at checkout, and supports her preceptors in day-to-day operations. Kasia enjoys being a part of the team, meeting new people and finding new ways to help improve Replenish. She is excited to continue to add ideas and spread the word about how helpful our resources can be.

Replenish Student Assistant

Javion Ward is an undergraduate student majoring in Integrative Studies at Grand Valley State University. As a student assistant with Replenish, he helps restock shelves and assists students in accessing food and healthcare items. Javion enjoys his job here at Replenish because it gives him the opportunity to help give back to those in the Grand Valley community. Javion enjoys the meaningful connections he is making with his co workers and students that come to visit the center as well.

Replenish Student Assistant

Jamond Deshazer is an undergraduate student majoring in Sport Management at Grand Valley State University. As a student assistant at Replenish, he supports the team by organizing and restocking shelves, labeling products, and helping students find the food and wellness items they need. Jamond values the chance to make a difference on campus and appreciates the connections he builds with others through his work.

Replenish Student Assistant

Kadiatu Mohamed Thullah is a senior majoring in Allied Health Sciences (Pre-Physician Assistant Studies) in the College of Health Professionals. With a strong interest in healthcare and patient advocacy, she is dedicated to preparing for a career as a Physician Assistant, where she hopes to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Kadiatu enjoys working at Replenish because she loves supporting those in need and contributing to a campus community that prioritizes care and wellness. She values opportunities that allow her to grow both academically and professionally while making a difference in the lives of others.

Replenish Student Assistant

Jeremiah Robinson is an undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Science (Pre Professional Emphasis) with a minor in sociology at Grand Valley State University. As a student assistant with Replenish, he helps stock shelves and provide students with adequate care through the access of food and healthcare products. Jeremiah enjoys making meaningful connections with other students and continuing to make a positive impact on GVSU's community. Outside of work and academics, he is an e-board member for both B.L.A.C.K (Black Leaders Aspiring for Critical Knowledge) and Mental Health in Minorities.