Meet the Team

Derisa Collymore

Executive Director for Centers for Belonging

Derisa Collymore (she/her) is the Executive Director for the Centers for Belonging. She provides strategic vision and leadership for the center, serves as an advocate for equal access for all students, and organizes opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to form a community. Promoting community spirit, personal connections, mentorship, mutual learning, and collective support are at the core of her leadership style.

Derisa is a first-generation student who earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Brenau University, a Master of Science in Administrative Leadership for Higher Education from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, and Doctor of Philosophy in Education with an emphasis in institutional effectiveness from North Dakota State University. Her work and research centers on enhancing higher education environments to foster a better sense of belonging in postsecondary environments. Derisa’s other professional interests include bridging the K-12 to college gap for first-generation and low-income students, first-generation parent education and support, curriculum-based learning models, and immersive programming experiences. 

Outside of work, Derisa enjoys cooking and creating new recipes, creative writing, biking around her neighborhood, and finding new simple trails to walk and be outdoors. 

Email:

dcollymore@middlebury.edu

Tel:

(802) 443-5743

Office:

Carr Hall 102

Steve Zatarain

Assistant Director of the Anderson Freeman Resource Center

Steve Zatarain ’15 (he/him) is the Assistant Director of the Anderson Freeman Resource Center. 

Born and raised in Inglewood, California, Steve is a proudly the first in his family to attend college. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Middlebury, while dabbling in Education and Film & Media Studies. As a student, Steve co-founded MiddCAM (Middlebury College Access Mentors), worked at the IT Help Desk, and served on Res-Life.

After graduating, much to his own surprise– and yes, despite the winters–  he didn’t want to leave. Steve went on to become a Commons Residential Advisor and interim Residential Director, focusing on supporting students in their transition to college. Steve has also worked for the Posse Foundation in Los Angeles, the Middlebury Admissions Office, and the University of Vermont’s College of Education and Social Services, where he completed his M.Ed in Higher Education Administration. Steve is passionate about creating accessible post-secondary opportunities for all students and helping them successfully connect the dots between their interests and the resources on campus that will allow them to thrive.

In his free time, Steve enjoys printmaking, listening to podcasts while walking in the woods, and taking in the Burlington music scene. He also serves as a Board Member for the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation.

Email:

szatarain@middlebury.edu

Tel:

(802) 443-3243

Office:

104 Carr Hall