Dear UMBC Community,
I am pleased to announce that we will launch a national search for a vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion at UMBC. Since my arrival, I have spent much of my time listening and learning more about our shared value of inclusive excellence. I am grateful for the perspectives and advice shared by senior leaders, shared governance officers, the Office of Equity and Inclusion staff, our affinity group leaders, and both the Inclusion Council and Implementation Team. Our campus's bold commitment to supporting an inclusive and welcoming culture for all students, faculty, and staff led me to this decision to establish a full-time senior leadership role.
Candace Dodson-Reed, chief of staff to the president and executive director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, will lead a diverse search committee to help us find a candidate who shares our core values. Our partners from the search firm Isaacson, Miller will assist in the process.
This empowered leader will first understand the depth and breadth of the work we already do across the campus to build diversity, equity, and inclusion, and will recommend effective ways to move that work forward. This position will also be responsible for managing all Title IX and civil rights efforts, which include a clear focus on discrimination, harassment, hate, and bias. Candace will share the full position profile with our community soon.
Thank you for your support as we launch this process and for all that you do to model inclusive excellence at UMBC.
President Valerie Sheares Ashby