Petition to Retain Maigan Wipfli and Danielle Rochelle at Middle Tennessee State University

We, the undersigned members of the Middle Tennessee State University community and concerned supporters, respectfully urge President Sidney A. McPhee and University leadership to retain Maigan Wipfli and Danielle Rochelle in new positions within the university.

Due to recent state legislation affecting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, both Maigan and Danielle are being removed from their current roles at the June Anderson Center and the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs. While we recognize the university must comply with state law, we believe there remains a moral and institutional responsibility to continue supporting these exceptional leaders and to preserve the legacy of their extraordinary service.

Maigan Wipfli and Danielle Rochelle have been pillars of support, advocacy, and empowerment for countless students. Their work has fostered safety, inclusion, resilience, and personal growth in the MTSU community. They have gone above and beyond in their care and leadership, and their presence is integral to the well-being and success of students from all backgrounds.

We ask that MTSU honor its values by considering both Maigan and Danielle for new roles that will allow them to continue serving students, even in the face of evolving legal constraints. Losing their leadership altogether would be a grave disservice to the campus culture they helped build.

We call on MTSU to act with integrity, compassion, and foresight—retain these exceptional leaders.