New Diversity Assignments in Higher Education for Four African Americans

Leon S. John Jr. was appointed executive director of diversity and inclusion at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, effective March 1. Dr. John has been serving as director of alumni engagement at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania. Earlier, he was director of alumni development at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Dr. John holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising/public relations, a master’s degree in communication arts, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration, all from Marywood University.

Precious Porras was chosen as the chief diversity officer for Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. She was assistant vice provost for student affairs at the University of Kansas. She had been on the staff at the University of Kansas for 15 years.

Dr. Porras holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Northwest Missouri State University and a master’s degree in counseling/student personnel from Emporia State University in Kansas. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Kansas.

Alexander Patrick was named director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Glendale Community College in California. For the past five years, Dr. Patrick has served as part-time residential faculty in the college’s social studies department.

Dr. Patrick received a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, a master’s degree in sociology and women’s and gender studies, and a Ph.D. in sociology, criminology, and gender and sexuality studies from Louisiana State University.

Marilyn Clark was named director of supplier diversity for the University of Kentucky. In this role, she will seek to expand the university’s supplier diversity procurement efforts. She held a similar position for the Fayette County School system.

A native of Odessa, Texas, Clark majored in broadcast communications and minored in journalism at the University of North Texas in Denton. She later received an Executive MBA through a joint program with the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville.

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