KANSAN.COM
+
NEWS
3
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences names associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion
▶ CONNER MITCHELL
@connermitchellO
Jennifer Hamer will serve as the first associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion program policies for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The University announced the position in a release Thursday.
According to the release, Hamer will begin her position July 1. She is a professor of African and African-American Studies and currently serves as the chair of the Department of American Studies.
"Jennifer possesses an ideal combination of research expertise and hands-on experience in developing environments of mutual respect and individual support. She will be a tremendous leader and advocate in
the College and across campus," Carl Lejuez, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said in the release.
Kristi Henderson, communications director for the College, said the position was a goal of Lejuez's since he took over as dean in February. She said Hamer was selected out of a field of candidates by a search committee chaired by Henry Bial, School of the Arts Associate Dean.
"This was one of [Lejuez's] first priorities: diversity, equity and inclusion. He gave his presentation [for the dean position] in October and talked about it then. He arrived in February, and this was one of his early priorities," she said.
Hamer said one of her main priorities will be creating an environment
where all students feel safe in their educational environment. She said very few, if any, universities are currently doing diversity, equity and inclusion work well, and faculty members at the University can always work towards improving those efforts across campus.
"As it is right now, I think what you're hearing from students is that they don't feel like they're treated the same in the classroom. They don't feel like they're treated fairly when they walk across campus or when they engage with faculty members," she said. "Faculty members, quite honestly, we're also learning. So one of the things we will emphasize in the college is how to do what we do better as faculty members and how to do it in a fair way."
Jennifer Hamer has been named the associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion programs for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Atex Robinson/KANSAN
FREE LEGAL HELP FOR STUDENTS
MIP. Traffic. Lease. Tax & More
(785) 864-5665
+