Four Women Scholars Who Have Been Named to Lead Diversity Efforts in Higher Education

Kortet Mensah is the inaugural vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion, and strategy at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina. She was the associate vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington.

Dr. Mensah is a graduate of Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she majored in business administration. She holds a master’s degree in educational and counseling psychology and a Ph.D. in human development and family studies from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

Luz Randolph has been named associate vice provost for diversity at Louisiana State University. She was the executive director of development at St. Petersburg College in Florida. Earlier, Dr. Randolph was assistant director for the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at the University of Miami.

Dr. Randolph holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of South Florida. She earned a doctorate in higher education administration from Nova Southeastern University.

Mary Wardell-Ghirarduzzi was named the inaugural vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. She has been serving as vice provost and chief diversity officer at the University of San Francisco.

Dr. Wardell-Ghirarduzzi is a graduate of the University of the Pacific. She earned a master’s degree in intercultural counseling and social justice education from San Diego State University and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Nakeshia N. Williams was appointed vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. She has been serving as an associate professor in the educator preparation department in the College of Education at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro.

Dr. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in English education and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from South Carolina State University. She earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in urban education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.