The GSA student diversity affairs community is open to faculty and professional staff working in student diversity affairs at AAMC member medical schools. The work of the medical school admissions community is led by the Committee on Student Diversity Affairs (COSDA). COSDA provides guidance on medical student diversity and inclusivity on a local, regional, and national basis, with respect to student recruitment, admissions, retention, and graduation.
Access Student Diversity Affairs Resources
COSDA Committee Charge
The strategic priorities of COSDA are defined under two overarching themes — increasing diversity in the physician workforce and professional development of its constituency. In order to meet the strategic priorities, COSDA advances the full cycle of student engagement and educational support spanning the K-12 through medical school educational continuum in order to increase diversity in the physician workforce. COSDA constituents provide programming and services to engage and support diverse learners in the K-12 pathway, premedical and postbaccalaureate programs, and medical school. They are involved in outreach, recruitment, admissions, retention, support, and graduation of diverse students in medicine. The committee is advisory to the GSA Steering Committee, makes regular reports to the GSA Steering Committee, and seeks approval of the GSA Steering Committee for special projects.
COSDA Committee Roster
Chair
Donna H. Jackson, EdD
Interim Senior Associate Dean, Admissions & Student Outreach
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
November 2022–November 2025
GSA National Previous Past Chair
Hilit Mechaber, MD
Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine
University of Miami College of Medicine
November 2024–November 2025
Central Region (CGSA) Representative
Khalilah Gates, MD
Assistant Dean of Learning and Academic Performance
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
November 2024–November 2027
Northeastern Region (NEGSA) Representative
Daniel José Correa, MD, MSc, FAAN
Associate Dean for Diversity Enhancement
Associate Professor of Neurology
University of Massachusetts T. H. Chan Medical School
November 2024–November 2027
Southern Region (SGSA) Representative
Sekinat Kassim McCormick, MD
Assistant Dean, Office of Academic Opportunity and Educational Excellence
Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
November 2023–November 2026
Western Region (WGSA) Representative
Erik D. Malmberg, PhD, JD
Assistant Dean for Equity and Medical Student Engagement
Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Family Medicine
University of Washington School of Medicine
November 2024–November 2027
Liaison to the Committee on Admissions (COA)
Robin Clay, MEd
Associate Director of Admissions
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science College of Medicine
November 2024–November 2027
Liaison to the Committee on Student Affairs (COSA)
Kristin Powell Reavis, MD, MBS
Assistant Dean for Student Diversity and Inclusion
Assistant Professor of Family Medicine
University of Maryland School of Medicine
November 2022–November 2025
Liaison to the Committee on Student Financial Assistance (COSFA)
Ranna Nash, PhD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medical Education
Assistant Dean for Student Development
Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
November 2022–November 2025
Liaison to the Committee on Student Records (COSR)
Laventrice Ridgeway, EdD, ALC
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
Whiddon College of Medicine, University of South Alabama
November 2024–November 2027
Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP) Liaison
Mary J. Owen, MD
Associate Dean of Native American Health
Director, Center of American Indian and Minority Health
Associate Professor, Dept. of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health
University of Minnesota Medical School
March 2023–March 2025
AAMC Staff Liaison
Irena Tartakovsky, MD, MS
Director, Constituent Engagement