Four African Americans Taking on New Positions as Diversity Officers

Christopher Manning has been appointed the inaugural chief inclusion and diversity officer at the University of Southern California. He has been serving as associate provost for academic diversity at Loyola University Chicago.

Dr. Manning is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Huntsville, where he majored in history. He holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Jessica Harris is the first vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Dr. Harris is an associate professor of historical studies and director of the interdisciplinary Black studies program at the university. She joined the faculty in 2011.

Dr. Harris is a graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in history from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Matthew C. Chaney has been named the first vice president for inclusive excellence at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He will join Wright State on June 1. Dr. Chaney has been serving as director of the Office of Multicultural Student Services at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Dr. Chaney earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and marketing, a master’s degree in career and technical education, a doctorate in community college leadership, all from Ferris State University.

Roderick J. Gilbert has been appointed the inaugural chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Gilbert served as director of Diversity Pipeline Programs and Outreach for the College of Medicine at Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Gilbert holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi. He holds a doctorate in public health from Jackson State University in Mississippi.

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