The Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Inclusion will serve as the primary advisor to the Chancellor on matters involving diversity and equity. The new vice chancellor will have the full commitment of the university’s faculty and staff leadership to support equal opportunity and affirmative action and foster a climate that is welcoming and appreciative of diversity among all our university community members. This leader will assist and monitor all units in their efforts to recruit and retain diverse faculty, staff and students, as well as plan, implement and oversee the development of programs and activities to support the culture of open inquiry, pluralism and mutual respect.

The new vice chancellor will lead, direct, staff and charge the university’s several diversity, equity and anti-bias committees. In addition, the person selected for this position will support the efforts of the provost and deans to develop faculty scholarship, curriculum and pedagogy on diversity, equity and related issues to help facilitate team building within and among academic units, student affairs and administration. They will devise measures to monitor, evaluate, and improve the progress of programs established to enhance diversity. 

This role will report directly to the Chancellor and serve as part of the executive leadership team to develop new and strengthen current initiatives and programs.

The search committee is chaired by Curt Crespino, vice chancellor for External Relations and Constituent Engagement. The full roster of the search committee is listed below. Others will have the opportunity to provide input during the campus interview portion of the search process. The anticipated start date for this role is fall semester 2022.

Full search committee

Curt Crespino, vice chancellor for External Relations and Constituent Engagement

Michele Smith, vice provost for Student Affairs and dean of students

Anthony Shiu, Faculty Senate

Yvonne Hood, staff member, Diversity and Inclusion,

Tyler Smith, assistant professor, Pediatrics, School of Medicine

Ursula Gurney, deputy athletic director, UMKC Athletics

Karen King, chair, Staff Council

Edward Estepan, Multicultural Student Affairs student

Michael Gonzalez, retired leader of Corporate Diversity and Inclusion, Hallmark Cards; UMKC Chancellor's LGBT Council

Michelle Wimes, chief equity and inclusion officer, Children’s Mercy Kansas City; UMKC Trustee

Uzziel Pecina, assistant teaching professor, School of Education

Andrew Granade, interim dean, Conservatory of Music