肖恩之一 M.S.S./ MLSP 14

我来自一个富有创造力的家庭, 肖恩之一 thought that he wanted to pursue music full-time after graduating college with a degree in jazz music. He started his own record label and enrolled at Teachers College, Columbia University with a plan to become a music teacher. Maxam was always drawn to the helping professions, 比如教学, but while on medical leave from Teachers College, people around him encouraged him to consider pursuing a degree in 社会工作 instead. 

It just so happened that Maxam met a GSSWSR alum around this time, who recommended the school because of its dual degree master’s program offered at the time in social service and law and social policy. “I thought the program sounded fantastic, so I ended up attending Bryn Mawr to pursue those degrees,马克萨姆说。.  

After completing his field placements in hospitals doing behavioral health, Maxam thought he would continue working in hospital settings after graduating, but he instead ended up in higher education at Princeton, 他这十年去哪儿了.  

His first job after Bryn Mawr was at Princeton’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources and Education (分享)办公室. He was able to bring his clinical skills to this role as prevention coordinator doing individual work with survivors of sexual assault, but also with people who caused harm themselves. He oversaw Princeton’s Men’s Initiatives, which promote healthy masculinity and gender inclusivity on campus. Maxam then transitioned to broader diversity, 股本, inclusion work when he joined the provost’s office. 

As associate provost for institutional diversity and inclusion at Princeton, Maxam leads strategic institutional DEI initiatives to ensure that everyone at Princeton, 不管他们的背景如何, can thrive and feel at home at the school. He leads data-driven initiatives to measure campus climate, supports Princeton’s History and Sense of Place Initiative, which examines Princeton’s history, 图解, how Princeton can continue to diversify and tell a fuller story about its history. 

Maxam’s role comes with many challenges, especially given the tumultuous year it has been for higher education and DEI initiatives.  

“I’m constantly thinking about how to build trust and consensus across all stakeholders at the university,马克萨姆说。. “There's always some external force that is impacting our campus climate. I have to think about how to support people on our campus when those external forces are happening and identify what strategies we should use to make Princeton a better version of itself. It’s a very uncertain time right now, so it’s crucial to encourage people to continue to do the important work of advancing inclusivity and excellence on our campus.” 

Despite the many challenges Maxam must navigate in this role, the skills he gained at Bryn Mawr have made him well-equipped to face them, 他说.  

“The powerful thing about Bryn Mawr was that I had these experiences in the classroom that were formative in developing skills around empathy and being able to listen to different worldviews. The professors I had, like Raymond Albert, 吉姆Baumohl, 辛迪·苏萨, created the conditions for us to be challenged, especially in our deeply held beliefs and worldviews. I think about how I can use those skills in my current role to create space for engagement around ideas and disagreement, especially concerning people’s deeply held values and beliefs.” 

Maxam has been intentional about staying involved with GSSWSR and the larger Bryn Mawr community. He was delighted by the opportunity to serve as a member of the GSSWSR’s 顾问委员会.  

“I think that a 社会工作 education, especially a Bryn Mawr 社会工作 education, is very much needed in the world today. If there was an opportunity for me to give back to an institution that provided so much to me, 我想接受这个提议.” 

2023年秋天, Maxam spoke on a panel about advancing change through social sector leadership during Bryn Mawr’s 猫头鹰电影节.  

“I’m inspired by the ways in which Bryn Mawr is constantly being reflective and looking at its history, thinking about how it can continue to live out its aspirations. To play a role as an alum in supporting that work and the current students, 教师, 员工也得到了回报.”