Furman University

Colleagues were chosen for a number of reasons, including their previous commitment with diversity, equity, and inclusion work on campus or in their teaching or research. Their varied experience and perspectives will enrich our campus’ CREATE conversations.


Robyn Andrews

Robyn Andrews has been the Circulation Supervisor for the Furman University Libraries for 13 years, supervising hundreds of student assistants during that time. As the inaugural Diversity Coordinator for the Libraries, she began implementing the Inclusive Artwork initiative in 2020, which brings artwork representing people of color to the libraries. Robyn is a Pathways Academic Advisor for 1st– and 2nd year students and has served on the university’s Staff Advisory, Diversity & Inclusion and Benefits Committees.


Maegan Azar

MAEGAN MCNERNEY AZAR is the Chair of the Theatre Arts Department & Musical Theatre Interdisciplinary Minor at Furman University and the President of the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC).  In addition to her training and work with the CREATE facilitation team, Maegan has studied with SETC’s Theatre Teaching Collaborative on Decolonizing the Theatre Classroom, Nicole Brewer’s Anti-Racist Theatre approaches, Sharrell Luckett’s Black Acting Methods studio, Alexis Jamal and Karen Gaffney’s A Racial Justice Journey, and at the Rutgers Challenging Racial Disparities Conference. She has led SETC’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access (EDIA) initiatives through strategic planning, task forces, and governance change. Maegan parctices an inclusive classroom environment, and continues to seek bravery through uncomfortable conversations to challenge misconceptions, engage difference, and provoke change. Her professional work as an Actor and Director can be seen regularly at The Warehouse Theatre (Greenville, SC) and Lean Ensemble Theater (Hilton Head, SC).


Omar Carmenates

Omar Carmenates is currently the Associate Professor of Percussion at Furman University in Greenville, SC. He is a versatile musician with interests ranging from interdisciplinary collaborations in ecoacoustics/sustainability, to the marching arts, and to anything in between. His solo and chamber recordings can be heard on Ravello Records and Rattle Records and his arrangements and compositions have been published through Tapspace and Promethean Publications. Omar is a proud endorser/artist for Grover Pro Percussion, Vic Firth, Inc. Remo Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals, and Pearl Corporation/Adams Musical Instruments.


Andy Coe

Andy is a 1991 graduate of Furman University.  After completing  Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Kentucky, he enjoyed a 20 year career as therapist, curriculum designer, and parent educator in several therapeutic programs for at-risk youth. He returned to Furman in 2016 to work in the Center for Engaged Learning.  He is married to Joy Erwin Coe (’92).  They have five children, and one grandson and live in Hendersonville, NC.


Christopher Hutton

Christopher Hutton is Furman’s cello professor and the cellist of the Greenville-based Poinsett Piano Trio. Originally from New Zealand, he has performed across the globe and enjoys playing solo, chamber, and orchestral music from the Baroque era to the present. A recent project has been focused on juxtaposing 300-year old music by J.S. Bach with works for solo cello by contemporary composers. In addition to his work in the music department, Christopher is involved in Furman’s system of shared governance, serving as Faculty Council Chair.


Alex Ricciuti

Alex Ricciuti has been a Career Advisor with the Malone Center for Career Engagement since 2019. He joined Furman after completing his Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at North Carolina State University where he worked in the Career Development Center as well as the GLBT Center. Alex has a passion for helping all students, especially those who have historically been underserved by college support offices like career services.