A seasoned diversity officer who has held leadership positions at top universities across the nation has now been tapped to spearhead diversity efforts for the University of Missouri System.
Dr. Kevin McDonald, who is currently the vice president and associate provost for diversity and inclusion at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), will begin the position in Missouri on June 1. He will be the first chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer in the 177-year history of the university.
McDonald’s appointment comes amid a challenging year for the university system. In 2015, a series of student protests related to race, workplace benefits, and leadership resulted in the resignations of the president of the University of Missouri System and the chancellor of the flagship Columbia campus.
The university was catapulted into national headlines after a student went on a hunger strike and the football team staged a boycott.
Michael A. Middleton, an African-American who graduated from the university and taught at MU’s law school, was appointed interim president of the University of Missouri System in November.
Dr. Henry C. “Hank” Foley, who had been senior vice chancellor for research and graduate studies and the UM System executive vice president for academic affairs, research and economic development, was named interim chancellor.
Following the protests, the Board of Curators promised several new initiatives aimed at making the four campuses of the university system more inclusive to minority students. A diversity officer was among the promises.
