Kean Public Administration Graduate Leads County Office Serving People with Disabilities

Diana Calle ’12, ’15 M.A., grew up in a rural area of Ecuador, where a college degree was not needed for success in the region’s primary occupation, farming.

But when she visited relatives in the United States, Calle was inspired when she saw women in business suits heading off to office jobs.

“At age 14, I told my uncles I wanted to be independent and have a career,” she said. “It was hard for them to understand, because none of them had a college degree, but their support never wavered.”

In 2012, Calle became the first in her family to earn a degree when she graduated from Kean University with a B.A. in public administration and psychology. Three years later, she earned an M.A. in public administration from Kean.

Today, she serves as director of Union County’s Office of Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs (OPDSN), in the Department of Human Services, which offers social and recreational opportunities for individuals of all abilities and ages, as well as information and referrals to community resources.

Born in the United States, Calle went to live with her grandparents in Ecuador as a toddler. She returned to the U.S. at age 14 to start 10th grade in Elizabeth.

“It was challenging to learn English, and many times I questioned whether living outside the United States had been the best decision,” Calle said. “Today, I know it was, because I am a professional who is fluent in English and Spanish. Even more, it is truly rewarding to serve in a role where I have the opportunity to assist members of my community, regardless of their language.”

She remains grateful to a high school teacher who invited her to attend a college fair, where she met a representative from Supera, Kean’s Spanish-speaking program, who helped her apply to the University.

Calle faced a language barrier when she entered Kean and said the help she received through Supera made her want to give back. In addition to volunteering and working for Supera, she served as secretary of Kean’s Graduate and Part-Time Student Council and an academic specialist in the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program.

As an alumna, she has continued to contribute, joining the board of the Kean University Alumni Association, attending Kean alumni gatherings and speaking at Supera events.

“Diana has gracefully shared her journey with Supera’s community and assisted some of our students by sharing valuable resources related to internship opportunities, scholarships and job openings,” said Supera Director Rosa Paulino. “She is a pleasure to work with and very service oriented.”

Calle also serves as a role model for Hispanics Inspiring Students’ Performance and Achievement (HISPA); a member of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority Incorporated; and a member of the League of Women Voters.

She said her most important life lesson came from the late Morgan Laury, Ed.D., who was one of her professors in Kean’s public administration program. Laury advised her that her degree would open doors, but her work ethic would prove her value on the job.

With that perspective, she accepted an entry-level filing position in Union County as her first full-time job after earning her master’s degree, aspiring to gain experience and enhance her career development.

Now, as a supervisor, Calle said she feels “blessed to be in a role where I can serve and represent my community.”

Her mentor, Sara Peña ’96, a Kean graduate she met through the multicultural sorority Mu Sigma Upsilon, said she is impressed by Calle’s ability to “lead with compassion.”

“Through her persistence and resilience, she has continued to break down barriers and pave the way for the next generation of leaders,” Peña said.

Calle said one of her proudest accomplishments was recently launching a nonprofit, The Young Women Foundation in Elizabeth, an organization that aims to educate and inspire young women to become leaders within their communities.

“It took many years of hard work to get where I am today,” she said, “and I want to inspire young women to adopt valuable strategies and reach new heights.”