Dear Members of the University Community,

I am happy to announce the commencement of a national search for our first chief diversity officer position at Santa Clara University. The creation of this position follows the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity and Inclusion (2016), the Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion (2017) and the Campus Climate Survey Report (2018). As a Cabinet-level position reporting directly to the president, this new position reflects best practices in university governance today. The new structure will foster deeper collaboration with other divisions represented on the Cabinet and will cultivate strategic alignment on matters of diversity and inclusion across the University. Additionally, the chief diversity officer will partner with me in outreach to our extensive alumni family and colleagues in the community and at other universities.

Before leaving office, Fr. Engh budgeted for this new full-time position, which will replace the current part-time position of Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion. With a budget already in place, I have spent the last few months soliciting input about the scope and responsibilities of the position from a variety of sources including the Planning Action Council, the Inclusive Excellence Student Advisory Council, the Executive Committee of our Board of Trustees, and various offices around campus which presently lead diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. As I listened to this feedback, it became clear that we would significantly benefit from a chief diversity officer who could better champion, coordinate and advance these efforts. At the same time, I recognize that diversity, equity and inclusion must be vital concerns for all of us.

With the input of the University Coordinating Committee, Faculty Senate Council, Staff Senate, Deans, Center Directors, Inclusive Excellence Student Advisory Council, Associated Student Government and others, I have appointed a search committee whose members share a deep understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion and how those elements are critical components of our mission at SCU. I am grateful to each of the following people who have graciously agreed to serve on the committee:

• Eva Blanco Masias, M.Ed. ‘11 (Search Committee Chair), Dean, Undergraduate Admission
• Marco Bravo ‘94, Chair and Associate Professor, Education
• Andrew Chai, Staff Senate President; Assistant Director, Mission Church
• Elsa Chen, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs; Professor, Political Science
• Laura Ellingson, Patrick A. Donohoe, S.J. Professor, Communication and Women's and Gender Studies
• Anna Han, Interim Dean, Law School
• Anthony Hazard, Associate Professor, Ethnic Studies 
• Byron Howlett, Assistant Dean, Student Life
• Melina Johnson ‘01, M.A. ‘03, Adjunct Lecturer, Education; Coordinator of Field Experience, School of Education and Counseling Psychology; President, Alumni Association Board of Directors
• Jennifer Konecny ‘68, Trustee Emerita
• Catherine Moore '20, Civil Engineering
• Kennedy Myers ‘20, Political Science and Communication
• Kyle Shinseki, S.J., Campus Minister, Faith Formation and Intercultural Ministry

In the next few weeks, I will consult with the search committee to finalize the position description and title for the chief diversity officer. Throughout the search process, the search committee will periodically share updates with the community on a dedicated website under development. The search committee will work with the national search firm WittKieffer, who will help recruit and assess candidates for the position. As is our custom, final candidates will visit campus so that we can garner more input from the community. Our goal is to have the new person in place by the beginning of the 2020-21 academic year, though we will not rush the search as we seek to identify the most outstanding candidates for SCU.

The process will begin with outreach meetings, when the WittKieffer team will meet with key constituent groups and hold open forums for the whole campus to provide input for the Leadership Profile. I encourage you to attend the open forums, which are scheduled next week:

• Staff and Faculty Open Forum: Wednesday, February 12, 11:45am-12:45pm, Wiegand Room
• Student Open Forum: Wednesday, February 12, 6:00pm-7:00pm, Wiegand Room

Thank you in advance for engaging in the search for this position. We have reached this pivotal moment thanks to many in our community who have shepherded this process along for several years. 

Sincerely,

 

Kevin F. O'Brien, S.J.
President