Student and faculty input included in CDO job creation process
The university officially advertised on March 5 the job of chief diversity officer (CDO), which has been vacant for eight months, anticipating that a successful candidate will be named in May.
“I am very pleased to share that the position has been posted online in near- ly 40 venues,” Brady said. “Additionally, Spelman Johnson, our search partner, is actively marketing and publicizing the opportunity nationwide.”
University President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D., announced on Dec. 10 via email that University Provost Jeanne Brady would serve as the chair of the search committee. A university email sent by Brady on Dec. 18 announced the launch of the search and the nine-member advisory committee that had its first meeting on Feb. 6.
The advisory committee includes six faculty and administration members and two student representatives, Luis Nuñez ’21 and Gabby Stevenson ’21.
According to Nuñez, student involvement in the process is essential.
“The needs of students differ than faculty, staff and administration,” Nuñez said. “Having students on the committee ensures a voice for the student body.”
The previous position of CDO was classified as an administrative position and held by Monica Nixon, Ed.D., as a part of her role as assistant provost for inclusion and diversity. Nixon left the university in July 2018 for another job.
According to the job description online, the new position is for a “Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer” who will report to the provost and provide “leadership, advocacy, support services, and programming to strengthen the culture of inclusion and diversity at Saint Joseph’s University.”
Spelman Johnson met with St. Joe’s community members on March 4, including faculty and students not on the official advisory committee.
“The meeting with the search firm was to help them learn more about SJU and what characteristics and background we would like to see in the CDO,” said Ronald Dufresne, Ph.D., assistant professor of leadership, ethics and organization, who was at the meeting.
On March 5, the job was open to internal and external applicants on the university’s website. The advertisement on the search firm’s website indicates that applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled, but “complete applications received by March 29, 2019, will be assured full consideration.”