William Harvey, University vice president and chief officer for diversity and equity, was recently appointed president of the newly founded National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. This organization provides a support system for diversity officers at colleges and universities around the country, allowing them to share ideas for promoting greater diversity.
According to NADOHE secretary Glen Jones, an advocate for diversity at Arkansas State University, the vision for the organization materialized in 2003. In a society increasingly concerned with cultural sensitivity, Jones said a major question among college leaders tackling issues such as racism has been, "Who serves as a voice of diversity in higher education?"
Harvey joined collaborative efforts in 2005 with Steve Michael, Kent State University vice provost for diversity and academic initiatives, to arrange a meeting for chief diversity officers. Their plans culminated in the first NADOHE conference this past February in Washington, D.C., according to Harvey.
Jones said the association plans to formulate a more concrete agenda in upcoming months and to begin publishing its Journal for Diversity in Higher Education by the end of the year.
Jones described Harvey as "an effective leader," adding that Harvey has considerable experience in the field of diversity. In addition to currently serving in his position at the University, Harvey said he has also served as vice president of the Center for Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Equity, a division of the American Council on Education.
Harvey expressed optimism about how his new position will impact University students and said he is excited about possible student participation in the national organization.
According to Harvey, current Student Council efforts to combat racism surpass the national level of student activism. He said he is hopeful student enthusiasm at the University will spread to other campuses through his new position.
Michael referred to Harvey as "the vision" behind the establishment of the organization.
"There is nobody who is more deserving in the nation to be the first president," Michael said.
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