Eastern Kentucky University is about to see new leadership on diversity and inclusion issues at the Richmond campus. The EKU Board of Regents was briefed on those developments last week.
The board got to hear from Dannie Moore, the school’s first Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. He told Regents it’s important to look for new ways to attract faculty to campus and highlight diversity as a strategic imperative. “So, when we think about my role it surely should be about assessing climate and sometimes we may hear things that are not overly popular. Those are opportunities to figure out how we can do better. So, whether that’s looking at climate, I talked to the search committee about how I love the uncomfortable conversation. I love to facilitate it. I love to have it,” explained Moore.
EKU Board Chair Lewis Diaz said that emphasis could be found when students first come to campus. “I can envision a situation where freshman orientation includes a segment regarding unconscious bias to help educate our student population that’s coming in for the first time and living away from home for the first time to interact with people that are different or look different,” said Diaz.
EKU Faculty Regent Jason Marion said, quote, “there’s a tremendous appetite among our faculty and our students and I imagine our staff to be asking ourselves ‘what can we do better?’ Moore, who comes to Eastern from Northern Kentucky University, begins his new responsibilities July 15th.?
EKU Interim President David McFaddin said there will be an organizational re-design around diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, McFaddin added campus engagement conversations and comprehensive changes in diversity training will occur.
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