Deidra Jefferson is a second year graduate student enrolled in Salem State University’s Higher Education in Student Affairs program. She is currently the Wellbeing Graduate Resident Advisor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where her role is vital to helping students prioritize their wellbeing. Additionally, Deidra's role as an Academic Coach at Berklee College of Music gives her the opportunity to work with students in accessibility services, focusing on universal design guidelines. Deidra is interested in the functional area of orientation programs, and advancing health and wellbeing amongst first-year students. Deidra’s research examines students’ reactions to contemplative pedagogy and practice employed by a faculty of color in a higher education program.