Three Women in New University Roles Relating to Diversity

Jeanine Staples-Dixon, professor of literacy and language, African American studies, and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at Pennsylvania State University, has taken on additional duties as the senior faculty mentor in the Office of Educational Equity. In this role, Dr. Staples-Dixon will help faculty members from underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities and those from other marginalized identities by supporting them with professional developmental services, such as tenure and promotion mentoring.

Dr. Staples-Dixon earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature and urban education from Howard University in Washington, D.C., a master’s degree in teaching and curriculum from Harvard University, and a doctorate in literacy and language from the University of Pennsylvania.

Emily Babb has been named associate vice president for civil rights and Title IX compliance in the Office of Equity at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, effective May 1. Her duties will consist of ensuring compliance with anti-discrimination and accessibility policies, and responding to reports of sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment within the University community. Babb comes to Northwestern from the University of Denver, where she served as associate vice chancellor for equal opportunity. Earlier, she was was the assistant vice president for Title IX compliance and Title IX coordinator at the University of Virginia.

Babb is a graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana,  where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and English literature. She holds a juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

Noura Allen was named director of diversity and inclusive excellence for the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University in New York. Since 2018, Allen has served as the assistant director of residence life for multicultural affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. Earlier, Allen was residence director for the STEM Residential College and South Campus at Syracuse University from 2012 to 2016.

Allen holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s degree in higher education leadership from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.