Leonard Breton
Director of Social Justice and Community Impact (He/Him/His)
508-286-3373
[email protected]
Office location: Cole Memorial Chapel R015
Operating hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Leonard (Lenny) Breton is the director for The Centers for Social Justice and Community Impact and Religious and Spiritual Life. He joins the Wheaton community from his hometown of Queens, NY where he served St. John’s University in a large variety of capacities. Earning his bachelor’s degree in literature and communications at Pace University, Lenny was intimately introduced to the professional side of higher education, serving as a residential life administrator while also working on his master’s degree in education at Monmouth University. Putting his degrees to work, Lenny spent the next 7 years teaching high school English and coaching football and basketball at the same level. His passion for administration and desire to make greater change in the field of education led him back to the collegiate level. His commitment to education and the empowerment of underrepresented and marginalized people guide him through his professional and academic work as he is currently pursuing his doctorate in education with an aim of being a prominent higher education administrator.
Personally, Lenny deeply enjoys quality family time, movies, powerlifting, college football, and spirited/engaging dialogue. He is a hip-hop music enthusiast and a long-time, and therefore long-suffering Knicks fan.
Mike Pratt
LGBTQ+ Engagement Coordinator (He/Him/His)
508-286-3384
[email protected]
Office location: Cole Memorial Chapel R014
Operating hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Virtual on Mondays
Mike Pratt works primarily in the Center for Social Justice and Community Impact as the LGBTQ+ Engagement Coordinator, but holds a second role as the Healthy Masculinity Coordinator. Mike works with student, staff, faculty, and community members to expand queer-focused programming, education, and general support on campus. He hopes to further this engagement and make Wheaton College a place where intentional and empowering dialogue around LGBTQ+ themes can be a permanent reality. Mike continues to oversee the creation, implementation, and expansion of the Safe Zone training program, and also advises five student groups via Pride Circle, and sits as a co-convener of The Network for LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Support, and Advocacy and convener of the Healthy Masculinity Working Group. Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mediated Communications with a focus on Gender & Sexuality Studies and Theatre Arts from Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts.
Outside of Wheaton, Mike is also a published writer and working actor. In his free time, you can probably find him listening to records, going to botanical gardens, or trying to stay blonde.
Valery León Quintero
Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Member for First-Generation & Low-Income Student Success (They/She)
508-286-3372
[email protected]
Office location: Cole Memorial Chapel R014
Operating hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Valery León Quintero serves as the First-Generation & Low-Income Student Success VISTA in the Center for Social Justice and Community Impact and the Office for Institutional Equity and Belonging. Valery will help to continue to expand support for FGLI-identifying students through active campus partnerships and institutional policymaking. This year, Valery enters their second year serving on the First-Gen Committee and will begin to develop further programs like the Brave, Bold, & First LLC, wayfinding materials for students, staff, and faculty, as well as advance the work for First Scholars. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Valery graduated from Wheaton in 2023 and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and International Relations with a focus on Peace and Security. Valery hopes to address institutional barriers to the success of students and support Wheaton toward a path of equity, inclusion, and belonging.
In her personal time, Valery enjoys knitting, spending time with friends and family (in-person and virtually), playing video games with friends, and cooking new dishes and desserts.
Grace Thayer
Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Member for Food Insecurity (She/Her/Hers)
508-286-3372
[email protected]
Office location: Cole Memorial Chapel R017
Operating hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Grace received her Bachelors of Arts in English from Bridgewater State University, where she also minored in African American Studies and Native American Indigenous studies. Her academic focus is in postcolonial theory, and with that she is committed to exploring and refuting the layers of marginalization with an intersectional approach. Grace hopes to have long-term impacts on the Wheaton/Attleboro community by expanding and building capacity for Wheaton’s food bank. Her overall goal is to serve the community so that the institution is more equitable and accessible.
Personally, Grace loves to run, play the flute, and spend time with her family and pets, specifically her pet bearded dragon. She loves to travel and explore new places, especially if there is a beach.
Winnie Collins
Administrative Associate (She/Her/Hers)
508-286-3370
[email protected]
Office location: Cole Memorial Chapel
Operating hours: Monday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Winnie Collins works in the Centers for Social Justice & Community Impact and Religious & Spiritual Life. Winnie has worked at Wheaton for 38 years and is the ‘go-to’ gal for administrative help and projects. She’s in the office afternoons, Monday through Thursday.