Finalists for Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion to Visit U of A Campus

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Three finalists for the position of vice provost for diversity and inclusion will visit with campus faculty, staff, students and members of the community during individual two-day visits starting the week of May 1.

“We are very pleased to attract a quality pool of candidates with a breadth of experience,” said Law School Dean Stacy Leeds, on behalf of the search committee she chairs.

The vice provost for diversity and inclusion serves as the chief diversity officer for the University of Arkansas and drives the development and implementation of university strategic plans and frameworks for diversity and inclusion. The university articulated “Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion” as one of its eight guiding priorities – and emphasized the many dimensions this involves.

“We are seeking a candidate with not only a solid background in academic and diversity issues, but with a demonstrated clear understanding of the importance of a diverse and inclusive environment in a higher education,” said Jim Coleman, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. “This includes enhancing a welcoming environment, focusing on areas of underrepresentation of all forms, which includes gender and ethnicity – but also socioeconomic status, outreach to rural Arkansans, veterans and other groups, all of which serve to build excellence in education and research.

“The more perspectives, backgrounds, experiences and abilities we can include the higher quality academic environment we create,” Coleman said. “What sets this position apart is the combined academic and administrative approach to diversity and inclusion. This should span everything from using data to drive planning and decisions to an understanding of how curriculum and course development efforts can be used to drive excellence.”

The vice provost, who reports to Coleman, will work closely with the chancellor and provost to provide leadership in developing, implementing, and reporting on the success of a campus diversity plan that aligns with the campus values, mission, and guiding priorities.

VICE PROVOST FINALISTS

The finalists, listed in alphabetical order below, will each participate in a public presentation while on campus.

• Kauline Cipriani holds the positions of co-director of the Center of Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion and director for Diversity and Inclusion at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she is also an assistant professor in the department of comparative pathobiology. Cipriani encourages, develops, implements and assesses strategies to increase diversity at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue, including the development and delivery of online training modules for faculty, staff and students. She holds a doctorate in food microbiology from Purdue University. Cipriani will give a public presentation followed by audience Q&A from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, in Giffels Auditorium, Old Main. Read more in Cipriani’s curriculum vitae.

• Carolyn Dunn served as the associate vice president in the Office for Institutional Diversity and as chief diversity officer at Central Michigan University. At CMU, Dunn initiated and champions diversity efforts related to curricular and co-curricular programs; provides leadership and education to promote a climate conducive to the expansion of diversity; and prepares and submits grants to support diversity efforts. She holds a doctorate in American studies and ethnicity from University of Southern California and a certificate from the Institute of Educational Management in the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dunn will give a public presentation followed by audience Q&A from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, in the E.J. Ball Courtroom, School of Law, WATR 240. Read more in Dunn’s curriculum vitae.

• Rosalyn Hargraves is the associate vice president for inclusive excellence and assessment at Virginia Commonwealth University and most recently served as special assistant for inclusive excellence and assessment. In her role, she serves as the acting chief diversity officer and has worked on designing and implementing universitywide strategies and tactics to institute planning, evaluation and assessment practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion. She holds a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Virginia. Hargraves will give a public presentation followed by audience Q&A from 2-3 pm, Tuesday, May 2 in the E.J. Ball Courtroom, School of Law, WATR 240 Auditorium. Read more in Hargraves’ curriculum vitae.

The campus is invited to provide feedback on the candidates via a member of the search committee. The provost hopes to have the new vice provost in place by the start of the 2017-18 academic year.

In addition to Dean Leeds, the members of the search committee are:

• Freddie A. Bowles, associate professor of foreign language education
• Paul Cronan, professor, information systems
• Ro DiBrezzo, vice provost for faculty development and enhancement; interim vice provost for diversity and inclusion; and professor of health, human performance and recreation
• Lioneld Jordan, mayor, City of Fayetteville
• Heather Lyn Nachtmann, associate dean for research and professor of industrial engineering
• Luis Fernando Restrepo, professor of world languages, literatures and culture
• Mary Cathleen Savin, professor of microbial ecology
• Elecia C. Smith, assistant dean of human resources, diversity, and faculty services, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
• Quincy D. Spencer, director of new student and family programs, Division of Student Affairs
• Calvin White Jr., chair and associate professor of history

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.