Early Bird

New positions to focus on equity, diversity and excellence

Organizational shifts will help MSU Denver advance and better coordinate inclusion efforts.

By Lindsey Coulter

April 4, 2019

Since her arrival, President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., has been a champion of Metropolitan State University of Denver’s diverse student, faculty and staff populations. Roughly 42 percent of our student population is ethnically diverse; when we include first-generation students, that number rises to 72 percent.

This growing diversity was recently highlighted by MSU Denver’s official designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, making it clear that we are one of the most diverse universities in the state. Now, Davidson wants to make sure MSU Denver leads the state not just in attracting diverse students, faculty and staff but also in serving them. To achieve that goal, the University is increasing its focus on diversity and inclusion — and redefining several key roles.

The position of chief diversity officer (formerly associate to the president for diversity and inclusion) will be elevated to a vice-presidential position. To provide greater centralization and integration of diversity efforts on campus, the position of associate to the president for HSI will also be elevated to executive director of HSI and inclusion; his role will move to the office of Diversity and Inclusion. These organizational shifts will help focus the coordination of equity and diversity work across the campus. The changes will take effect with the hiring of a new chief diversity officer.

Interim Associate to the President for Diversity Shawn Worthy, Ph.D., conducted a listening tour earlier this year in advance of a formal chief-diversity-officer candidate search.

“We hope the new chief diversity officer will be an active and collaborative voice with all areas of our campus and the surrounding community,” Worthy said.

Stay tuned to the Early Bird for more information on the search and final candidates as they become available.