Appointment of Senior Diversity Officer Search Committee
December 18, 2017
Dear Members of the Trinity Community,
I am grateful for the more than sixty nominations submitted for consideration to serve on the search committee for our next Dean of Multicultural Affairs and Senior Diversity Officer. The committee will explore alternative titles for the position as part of their work. The search for our next senior diversity officer comes at a critical time in our history as questions of race, immigration, inclusiveness, diversity and freedom of speech intersect on the campuses of our nation’s colleges and universities. It is appropriate that as an institution of higher education we actively engage in addressing these difficult questions with respect and active listening.
While we regularly celebrate the diversity of our campus community, we must continually work to promote understanding and tolerance. Incidents that have occurred here at Trinity and on the campuses of other schools serve as further reminders of the importance of the leadership of a senior diversity officer and the critical work that the search committee will undertake.
I am pleased to announce that the search committee co-chairs are Anne Lambright, dean of academic affairs and professor of language and culture studies, and Jason Rojas, chief of staff and assistant vice president for external affairs. Joining them on the committee are: Trustee Nancy Davis ’79, retired vice president and chief information officer at United Technologies Corporation; Dario Euraque, professor of history and international studies; Donna-Dale Marcano, associate professor of philosophy; Stephanie Chambers, professor of political science; admissions counselor Courtney Roach ’16; Allison Read, chaplain and dean of spiritual and religious life; Lisa Kassow, director of Hillel; Brandon Herrera ’19; Esther Appiah ’21; and Jerry Rodriguez ’20.
The committee will convene at the beginning of next semester and will be supported by a professional search firm that will be selected over the winter break. The committee will actively solicit ideas, suggestions, and feedback from our campus community as we look to have a new senior diversity officer in place beginning July 1st. You can begin to share your ideas during office hours that I will host on Wednesday, December 20, from noon to 1:20 p.m. Please stop by my office, Williams Memorial 114, to discuss this or any issue of interest. I welcome students, faculty, and staff to office hours, whether individually or in groups of up to three, on a first-come, first-served basis. To accommodate as many members of the community as possible, the sessions will be limited to 10 minutes each. Please check-in with my office when you arrive. Refreshments will be provided. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Joanne Berger-Sweeney
President and Trinity College Professor of Neuroscience
