To the Campus Community:
I am pleased to inform you that Chancellor Gene Block and I have formed a search/advisory committee charged with identifying candidates for the position of vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion.
Reflecting an understanding of diversity as an institutional resource fundamental to the educational mission of the university, the vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion serves as the senior UCLA official responsible for leading and coordinating the university’s efforts to create a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, staff, faculty, alumni and community partners.
Devon Carbado, the Honorable Harry Pregerson Professor of Law and former associate vice chancellor of BruinX for equity, diversity and inclusion, is chair of the search committee. Other members are:
- Miguel A. García-Garibay – dean of the Division of Physical Sciences; distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry
- Lynn K. Gordon – professor of ophthalmology; senior associate dean, equity and diversity inclusion, David Geffen School of Medicine
- Sandra Graham – distinguished professor of education; Presidential Chair in Education and Diversity
- Vivyana Sol Prado – undergraduate student; chair, MEChA de UCLA
- Asma Sayeed – professor of Near Eastern languages and cultures; program director, Islamic studies
- Suzanne L. Seplow – assistant vice chancellor, student development and health/academic partnerships
- Shannon Speed – professor of gender studies and anthropology; director, American Indian Studies Center
- Menelik Tafari – graduate student; diversity coordinator and life skills instructor, Crossroads School
- Miguel M. Unzueta – senior associate dean of MBA programs; professor of management and organizations, UCLA Anderson
- David K. Yoo – vice provost, Institute of American Cultures; professor of Asian American studies and history
- Min Zhou – professor of sociology and Asian American studies; Walter and Shirley Wang Endowed Chair in U.S.-China Relations and Communications
To enhance the search effort, we have retained executive search firm Korn Ferry, represented by search consultants John Amer, Louis Montgomery Jr. and Nicole Simmons.
As an important part of the search process, the search committee seeks input from the campus community on critical priorities that could help set the agenda for the vice chancellor, ideal qualities and qualifications for the new vice chancellor, and any other information or insight that will help guide the committee’s efforts. We invite and would very much appreciate your comments; please email your input to VCEDIsearch@conet.ucla.edu. In addition, the committee will host town hall meetings in the coming months.
Since the most effective way to identify outstanding prospective candidates is through personal contact, I would appreciate your circulating the announcement and notifying the search committee of any individuals you feel are exceptionally well qualified for the position. Please email inquiries, nominations and applications to VCEDIsearch@conet.ucla.edu and/or UCLAVCEDI@kornferry.com. All correspondence will be held in strict confidence.
As Chancellor Block wrote in a campus message when the position was first established in 2013, “Equity and diversity are critical components of our academic mission; they facilitate the robust exchange of ideas and enable the production and dissemination of knowledge for the betterment of society.” Both he and I recognize that this position is of paramount importance and significance to our campus community, and we thank you in advance for your assistance with the search.
Sincerely,
Emily A. Carter
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost