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Update on Search for Wake Forest’s Next Chief Diversity Officer

by Betsy Chapman

January 26, 2018

Greetings Colleagues:

Our search for Wake Forest’s next Chief Diversity Officer is underway, with the formation of a search committee, engagement of a search consultant, and the creation of a search website.  Our continuing efforts to support and enhance a stronger sense of inclusion among all our campus community members are vitally dependent on this high-profile leadership role.

Continuing thanks to the many campus colleagues who have weighed in informally on the ideal qualities of a Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), as well as of the structure of our Office of Diversity and Inclusion that s/he will lead.  I’m also most grateful to Barbee Oakes, who inaugurated the CDO role at Wake Forest, and to José Villalba, who is serving ably this academic year as Interim CDO.

I will chair this search committee, comprised of faculty, staff, and students; our shared University appreciation to my search-committee colleagues for consenting to serve:

Le’Ron Byrd (JD candidate); Carmen Canales (Human Resources); Kami Chavis (Provost’s Office and School of Law); Herman Eure (Board of Trustees); Todd Hairston (Athletics); Derek Hicks (School of Divinity); Kelia Hubbard (Global Programs); Charles Iacovou (School of Business); Ana Iltis (Philosophy and Bioethics); Lisa Kiang (Psychology); Mary Pugel (President’s Office); Cazandra Rebollar (Wake Forest Fellow); Penny Rue (Campus Life). Samantha Perrotta Turner, of the Provost’s Office, will staff the committee.

Our committee will continue its work across coming weeks, as we strive to recruit a candidate who will serve this essential University role. The executive search firm of Isaacson, Miller, is assisting with our search.

Status updates about the search for our next Chief Diversity Officer will be posted to a dedicated website, search.cdo.wfu.edu. This website provides a way for the University community to contact the search committee with nominations and recommendations.  We will also hold a pair of University-wide forums on the CDO search, on Tuesday, February 13 from 4:00-5:00 pm in Annenberg Auditorium in Carswell Hall and on Wednesday, February 14 from 12:00-1:00 pm in Pugh Auditorium in Benson University Center.

Rogan Kersh
Provost and Professor of Politics and International Affairs

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support. You can also visit we.wfu.edu for resources.