DRN Contact Us / Staff Directory

Deborah J. Johnson, PhD

Director, Diversity Research Network
Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact

Professor of Human Development and Family Studies

Bio: Dr. Deborah J. Johnson's research explores racially and culturally related development, parental racial socialization and coping, cultural adjustment from early childhood through emerging adulthood, in both domestic and international children and youth. Racial-ethnic identity development and the coping skills as protective mechanisms of African American and other children in diverse settings have been a central interest. The ongoing cultural adjustment of Sudanese refugees continues to be a focal area in which themes of resilience and identity, as a sense of purpose, have been emphasized. Current work focuses on the influence of early bias preparation and coping at the intersection of gender and race among African American and Latina College women, and the impact on their well-being and school performance. We continue our work with South Sudanese refugees, focusing on gender as well as tridimensional aspects of identity alignment, resilience and adjustment processes, moving to use of a national assessment of resettled South Sudanese.  Recent global explorations emphasize positive youth development, public policy impact on the experience of oppression and identity reformation of immigrant and refugee groups, specifically, Indigenous Australians and Roma youth in Bulgaria. Recent books include Identity Re/Formation among Immigrant Youth and Families (upcoming); Children and Prejudice (in press, 2018); Vulnerable Children: Global Challenges in Education, Health, Well-Being, and Child Rights (2013); Black Educational Choice in a Climate of School Reform: Consequences for K-12 Student Learning and Development (2011). 

Micaela Flores

Assistant Director, Diversity Research Network

Bio: Micaela Flores (she/her/ella) is the Assistant Director for the Diversity Research Network, or DRN, in the Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact, or IEI. She is responsible for providing managerial and operational support for the DRN, a cornerstone of support in the retention and success of Michigan State University faculty and scholars at the intersection of diversity and excellence. Flores is committed to upholding the DRN as a resource for enhancing research productivity, grant and publication output, and meaningful collaborative research opportunities.

Prior to joining IEI, Flores served as the Assistant Director of Admissions for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, or DVM, program at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, where she also worked as the Recruitment, Admissions and Scholarship Counselor for the DVM program and the Advising, Outreach and Retention Coordinator under the King-Chavez-Parks Select Student Services grant. She also spent a few years working to increase college access in Detroit as a high school College Adviser with the MSU College Advising Corps and in Chicago, Illinois, as the College Access Coordinator at the University of Illinois System.

Flores earned her undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies in social science with a cognate in sociology and concentration in community relations, along with a specialization in Chicano/Latino Studies as well as a master of arts in higher, adult and lifelong education with a graduate certificate in teaching and learning in postsecondary education from MSU.

Octaviano Blanco

Master's student, Advertising and Public Relations

Graduate Assistant, Social Media Coordinator, Diversity Research Network

Bio: Octaviano Blanco (he/him/his) is a motivated and versatile master’s student in advertising and public relations at Michigan State University with a strong background in leadership and a dedication to supporting communities and fostering inclusion. Starting college in 2018 as a first-generation college student, Blanco overcame challenges such as academic probation and severe anxiety, demonstrating resilience by returning to his studies and excelling in leadership roles.

Blanco has an extensive record of leading and participating in impactful initiatives. He served as a project leader for Sigma Lambda Beta, where he facilitated projects that strengthened community ties and encouraged personal growth. His passion for supporting student engagement is reflected in his current role managing social media for the Diversity Research Network, where he creates content that highlights diversity and inclusion efforts.

Blanco has cultivated strong communication and collaborative skills. His leadership journey also includes helping with social media for inclusion initiatives and preparing educational presentations, demonstrating a thoughtful approach to academic and community-based projects.