Four Women Who Have Been Appointed to Diversity Positions in Higher Education

Bobbie Porter has been named first vice president and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at California State University, Dominguez Hills. For the past four years, she has been the chief diversity officer and assistant vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion at California State University, Fullerton. She will begin her new role on July 1.

Dr. Porter holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Memphis. She also holds a master of public administration degree from Tennessee State University.

Pamela Braboy Jackson was named the first associate vice president for faculty and belonging at Indiana University in Bloomington. Dr. Jackson will be part of the senior leadership team within the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs. Currently director of graduate studies in the College of Arts and Sciences’ department of sociology, Dr. Jackson was the founding director of the Indiana Univerity Center for Research on Race and Ethnicity in Society.

Dr. Jackson holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in sociology from Indiana University.

Tomarra Adams will be the chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, effective July 1. She has been serving as an associate professor of African American studies and social work and dean for undergraduate education at Spalding University in Louisville.

Dr. Adams holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master of social work degree, and a Ph.D. in social work, all from the University of Louisville.

Damira Grady was appointed vice president of equity and inclusion at Madison College in Wisconsin. She has been serving as associate vice-chancellor of academic support for inclusive excellence and university diversity officer at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Dr. Grady holds a bachelor’s degree in educational studies and a  master’s degree in educational psychology with an emphasis in community counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She earned a doctorate in the advancement of learning and service in higher education from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.