June 8, 2021 – Morris Selected as Interim Chief Diversity Officer

Dear Campus Community,

I’m pleased to announce that Michelle Neyman Morris has accepted the position of Interim Chief Diversity Officer for the 2021-2022 academic year, following an internal search. Her start date will be June 14.

Morris has served as faculty diversity officer during the past seven years, and as a member of the executive team of the University Diversity Council. She chaired the priority working group on Increasing Workforce Diversity, and in partnership with Interim CDO Tray Robinson, she collaborated across divisions and auxiliary organizations to advance equity, diversity and inclusion goals, especially in the areas of employee recruitment, selection and retention policies and practices. She is engaged and deeply committed to the University’s equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives and goals. The search committee was impressed with her knowledge of and involvement with the EDI initiatives.

In fall 2021, the President’s Office will partner with the Executive Management Evaluation and Development Committee (EMEDC) to launch a national search for our Chief Diversity Officer with a target to have a new CDO in place by the 2022–23 academic year. 

I would like to thank the search committee, led by Dr. Jinsong Zhang: Brooke Banks, Teresita Curiel, Dawn Frank, Annabel Grimm, Rachel McBride-Praetorius, Jason Nice, Tray Robinson, and Krystle Tonga. The committee moved swiftly and efficiently through the search process and I am grateful for their service and commitment.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Morris. I look forward to working with her in her new role.

Sincerely,

Gayle E. Hutchinson

President