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

Dyonne Bergeron has been named chief diversity officer and vice chancellor for equity, diversity, and inclusion at the University of California, Irvine, effective July 3. She has been serving as acting vice provost and associate vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Dr. Bergeron holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Louisiana State University. She earned a master’s degree in college student affairs and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of South Florida.

Carol A. Sumner was appointed vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer at Northern Illinois University. She has been serving as the chief diversity officer at Texas Tech University. She was the first African American to serve in an executive-level position at Texas Tech.

Dr. Summer earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Illinois State University. She holds an educational doctorate from Arizona State University.

Dakesa Piña was named the inaugural vice president in charge of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. She has been serving as director of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts for the College of Business at Illinois State University.

Dr. Piña is a graduate of Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Indiana State University and a Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy from Texas Tech University.