A Trio of Women Appointed to Diversity Posts in Higher Education

Seval Yildirim, professor of interdisciplinary studies and vice president for diversity initiatives, and chief diversity officer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has been named vice provost for inclusive excellence at the University at Buffalo. Earlier, Professor Yildirim was associate vice provost for faculty affairs and development and co-chief diversity officer at California State University, San Bernardino.

Professor Yildirim is a graduate of what is now Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia. She holds a juris doctorate and an LLM degree from New York University School of Law. She also earned a master’s degree in international affairs from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.

Tracye Y. Davis is the inaugural executive director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Michigan. Davis has served the college as assistant director of performance, development, engagement, and talent acquisition since 2021.

A Michigan native, Davis attended the University of Michigan-Dearborn and transferred to Spring Arbor University in Michigan, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She earned a master’s degree in education from Central Michigan University and is working toward a doctorate in higher education from the University of Phoenix.

Xiomara Giordano was appointed assistant vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer at Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, New York. Giordano has been serving as director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and deputy college diversity officer at Bennington College in Vermont.

Giordano earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, and a master’s degree in higher education at the University at Albany.