Search Updates
September 14, 2020 Notice: Finalists
As a committee, we identified four highly qualified finalists from a large pool of candidates from across the country who genuinely inspired and impressed both the search committee and President Stanley.
Virtual campus visits took place Aug. 27 through Sept. 9, 2020. The deadline for feedback has closed and a decision and announcement will be forthcoming.
Thank you to the campus community for your participation in this very important search process.
August 7, 2020 Notice: More than 70 potential candidates were considered during the search. The search committee narrowed the list to seven candidates and conducted virtual semi-finalist interviews on July 22 and 23. The search committee met to evaluate the seven candidates in depth and proposed inviting four finalists to interview virtually with the campus community.
Each finalist will meet and interview with faculty, staff, students, and executives during their visit. Each finalist will deliver a public presentation followed by a moderated question and answer session, which will be recorded and posted to the search website. Opportunities to provide feedback on each finalist will be available. Additional details will be forthcoming, but please note the following visit dates:
Finalist #1 – Thu, Aug. 27-Fri, Aug. 28
Finalist #2 – Mon, Aug. 31-Tue, Sep. 1
Finalist #3 – Wed, Sep. 2-Thu, Sep. 3
Finalist #4 – Tue, Sep. 8-Wed, Sep. 9
April 23, 2020 Notice: The search for a vice president and chief diversity officer was temporarily paused when MSU moved to a remote environment several weeks ago. The search is returning to active status. The temporary pause allowed individuals to focus on the immediacy of supporting the move to a virtual teaching, learning and working environment without compromising the ability to devote this important search the full attention it deserves. The search consultants at Isaacson, Miller remained active in the field and there remains strong interest nationally in this position. The search committee feels strongly that it is now appropriate to continue with the next steps of this search with an anticipated timeline of identifying finalists to participate in a campus engagement process early in the fall semester.
The search committee welcomes input from the MSU community here.
March 16, 2020 Notice: As part of ongoing measures at Michigan State University to respond to the novel coronavirus, the search for a vice president and chief diversity officer is paused. The position posting remains open as our search consultants at Isaacson, Miller engage with potential candidates, but the interview process remains on hold. Updates will be posted as new information becomes available.
Search Announcement - January, 2020
The vice president and chief diversity officer (CDO) will report directly to the president and work collaboratively with other university senior executives, deans, faculty, staff and students to develop and implement a comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) plan.
This individual will also partner with the associate vice president for civil rights and Title IX education and compliance on compliance and investigations. The CDO will work closely with offices across MSU including but not limited to: academic affairs; student affairs; human resources; residential and hospitality services; financial aid; and admissions to elevate inclusiveness and implement best practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion in areas such as leadership; access, retention and advancement (faculty, staff, and students); research; curriculum; campus climate and community engagement.
Work in these areas will involve: designing and delivering education and training programs; coordinating grant programs to promote and enhance DEI on campus; coordinating scholarships for community-involved students; supporting and facilitating the success of unit-level DEI efforts, conducting and supporting research on DEI-related topics; monitoring faculty and staff recruitment and hiring practices; and organizing celebratory and recognition/awards programs. The CDO works with many local and regional community groups and represents MSU when appropriate. The existing Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives will report to the VP and CDO.
Search timeline - see notices above
- January 21 – search committee launch meeting
- January 21 – Isaacson, Miller hosts meetings on campus:
- University administrators
- Student groups: ASMSU, COGS, RHA, CORES/COPS
- CoREM (Coalition of Racial and Ethnic Minorities)
- Paulette Granberry Russell, senior advisor to the president for diversity and director, Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives
- Chief diversity officer direct reports
- Search committee
- Late January – early February – finalize position description and advertise
- February 24 – search committee meets with CoREM
- February 27 – Isaacson, Miller presents search committee with list of candidates
- March – search committee hosts listening sessions
- Support Staff: Friday, March 6 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., International Center – Spartan Rooms (inside food court)
- Students: Tuesday, March 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., International Center – Spartan Rooms (inside food court)
- Late April – search relaunched
- May – search committee hosts listening session
- Faculty and Academic Staff: Monday, May 11 from 9 to 10 a.m. - Zoom
- Summer – identify candidates and conduct initial interviews
- Fall – host finalist interviews virtually
- Finalist #1 - August 27, 28
- Finalist #2 - August 31, September 1
- Finalist #3 - September 2, 3
- Finalist #4 - September 8, 9
Each finalist will meet and interview with faculty, staff, students, and executives during their visit. Each finalist will deliver a public presentation followed by a moderated question and answer session, which will be recorded and posted to the search website. Opportunities to provide feedback on each finalist will be available. Additional details will be forthcoming.
Finalist names and CV’s will be shared prior to each visit.