Three Women Who Are Taking on New Roles as Diversity Officers

Sydney M. Savion, an international leader in workforce development, organizational culture, and employee-centered learning, was appointed vice chancellor for people, culture, and belonging at Vanderbilt University, effective January 29. She previously worked for Google, Cityblock Health, and Air New Zealand. Dr. Savion retired as a commissioned officer from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of reserve and active service. She is the author of Camouflage to Pinstripes: Learning to Thrive in a Civilian Culture (Brown Books, 2012).

A native of Virginia, Dr. Savion earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental health from Old Dominion University in Norfolk. She holds a doctorate in human and organizational learning from George Washington University.

Michelle Manno will serve as interim leader of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She had been serving as assistant provost for diversity and inclusion. Earlier in her career, Dr. Manno was assistant vice chancellor of diversity initiatives and as a faculty affiliate in the department of sociology at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Dr. Manno earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Illinois Chicago, and a Ph.D. in sociology from Emory University in Atlanta.

Bethel College in Newton, Kansas, has announced the appointment of Sheryl R. Wilson as its inaugural vice president for culture and belonging, effective July 1, 2024. Since 2017, she has served as the executive director of the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution at the college.

Wilson holds a bachelor’s degree in mediation and communication studies and a master’s degree in liberal studies from the University of Minnesota.