Search for DEI Professional Moves Ahead

Progress has been made toward hiring a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) professional, which will fulfill one of the priorities of the College’s anti-racism and inclusion initiative.

A search committee made up of faculty and staff from a variety of campus departments has been appointed. The 2021-22 Student Government Association (SGA) president Sarah Powell and Black Student Union (BSU) President Chorro Jobe, ’24, are representing students on the committee.

Serving on the search committee are

• Laura Davidson, Dean, Library Information Services, committee co-chair 
• Pamela Davis Galloway, Director of Human Resources
• Chorro Jobe, ’24, BSU president
• Alisa Johnson, Associate Professor of English, committee co-chair
• Sarah Powell, ’22, SGA president
• Dilnavaz Mirza Sharma, Survey and Report Specialist, Research Planning and Assessment, committee co-chair
• Grace Sugg, Associate Director of Admissions
• Kaylin Tsukayama, Videographer/Photographer, Marketing Department
• Al White, Chief of Campus Police.

In order to ensure Meredith has the best possible pool of candidates, the College has engaged Academic Search,  a nationally known, top-rated search firm. Academic Search has assisted in hiring other leadership positions at Meredith, most recently Vice President for Business and Finance Tammi Jackson and Dean of the School of Business Kim Burke.

Having a consultant-aided search is evidence of the DEI position’s importance, said President Jo Allen, ’80. Academic Search will help cultivate a strong pool and review applicants, allowing Meredith’s search committee to focus on interviewing the strongest candidates.

“We are committed to hiring a professional whose experience includes the understanding of history and current impacts, along with best practices in engagement, training, and support,” Allen said.  “We are eager to ensure that students and employees feel entirely part of our community and that belonging is a shared value for all.”

Campus community members will be invited to provide input into hiring this important position once finalists are identified.