Campus & Community

Co-Chairs, Search Committee Appointed to Identify the Next Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Wednesday, October 6, 2021, By News Staff

Chancellor Kent Syverud today announced the members of the search committee charged with identifying Syracuse University’s next chief diversity and inclusion officer (CDIO). Co-chairs of the committee are Cerri A. Banks ’00, G’04, G’06, vice president of student success and deputy to the senior vice president of the student experience, and Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. The CDIO position was first created in 2018 and plays a critical role in Syracuse University’s ongoing commitment to advancing academic excellence in a University welcoming to all.

“The significance of this position and its impact on the campus community has grown over the years,” says Chancellor Syverud. “Not only does the chief diversity and inclusion officer provide leadership, oversight and vision, but the leader plays a pivotal role in how we move forward collaboratively and urgently in implementing initiatives that advance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.”

Other members of the search committee are:

  • Jorge Castillo, Director, LGBTQ Resources Center
  • Raj Dewan, Dean, School of Information Studies
  • James Duah-Agyeman, Director, Student Support, Diversity and Office of Multicultural Affairs
  • Christopher Hamilton, Assistant Professor, Television, Radio and Film
  • Brittnee Johnson, Graduate Student Representative
  • Regina Jones, Assistant Director, Office of Multicultural Affairs
  • Malique Lewis, Undergraduate Student Representative
  • Jennifer Mathews, Director, International Admissions, Co-Chair, Advisory Committee on DACA/Undocumented Students
  • Gladys McCormick, Associate Dean, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
  • Suzette Melendez, Director, Children’s Rights and Family Law Clinic, Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion, College of Law
  • William Myhill, Interim Director and ADA/503/504 Coordinator, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Resolution
  • Paula Possenti-Perez, Director, Center for Disability Services
  • Sarah Scalese, Senior Associate Vice President for Communications
  • Jeffrey M. Scruggs, Board of Trustees, Co-Lead, Trustee Advisory Committee on University Climate, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
  • Juan Tavares, Director, Center for International Services
  • Raymond Toenniessen, Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives

The search committee will partner with University leadership, and consult with Vice Chancellor and Provost Gretchen Ritter and Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Andy Gordon, during the search process. The search firm of WittKeifer will assist the committee in all aspects of recruitment and selection.