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

Belinda Waller-Peterson, associate professor of English at Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has been selected to serve as associate dean for equity and inclusion at the university. She joined the faculty at the university in 2016.

Dr. Waller-Petersen is a graduate of Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania, where she majored in nursing. She holds a master’s degree from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Tiffany G. Townsend has been named vice president of organizational culture and chief diversity officer at Purdue University Global, effective July 1. Dr. Townsend joined Augusta University n Georgia in 2019 as the chief diversity officer. She also served as an associate professor in the department of psychological sciences.

Dr. Townsend is a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from George Washington University.

Kristin Dukes was appointed vice president of diversity, equity, and Inclusion at Chatham University in Pittsburgh. She has been serving as dean for institutional diversity at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Earlier, she served on the psychology faculty at Simmons University in Boston.

Dr. Dukes is a graduate of Rice University in Houston. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in social psychology from Tufts University in Massachusetts.

Narketta Sparkman-Key was appointed associate provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion at James Madson University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, effective July 1. She has been serving as the inaugural academic affairs director for faculty diversity and retention and as an associate professor of human services at Old Dominion University n Norfolk, Virginia. She joined the faculty there in 2012.

Dr. Sparkman-Key is a graduate of Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan, where she majored in sociology. She holds a master’s degree in liberal studies from the University of Michigan, Dearborn and a Ph.D. in human services from Capella University.