Tag: diversity

Leadership for diversity and inclusive excellence initiatives is the focus of an announcement made today (Aug. 24) by Clemson University President James P. Clements.

Effectively immediately, Chief of Staff Max Allen will take on additional responsibilities as interim chief diversity officer (CDO) while a national search for a permanent CDO to replace Leon Wiles, who retired earlier this summer, continues.

“Max is a tremendous leader and a highly capable administrator who will bring stability and progressive leadership to our diversity efforts during this period of transition,” Clements said. “It’s important that our diversity and inclusive excellence initiatives continue to move forward in a strategic way. It is my strong desire for this effort to be directly connected to the president’s office as we develop a comprehensive plan to enhance inclusion throughout the campus.”

Clemson University is committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty, staff, students and the administration, while increasing our efforts to promote cultural awareness and ensuring that all members of the Clemson family are respected, appreciated and valued. An assessment of all existing diversity initiatives is underway to enhance coordination and effectiveness at the university. A Diversity Advisory Council that will advise President Clements on various diversity efforts will be announced soon.

We are continuing our search for a Chief Diversity Officer, who will have a key role in implementing the diversity plan I outlined for the Board of Trustees in July.

The plan was developed after dozens of meetings with faculty, staff, students and alumni about how to improve the climate for diversity and inclusion at Clemson.

I will charge the CDO with developing and implementing a strategic plan to increase the diversity of the student body, staff, faculty and administration, with measurable goals.

The CDO search committee, chaired by Provost Bob Jones, already has interviewed two well-regarded candidates and will be seeking additional candidates as soon as possible.

I want your continued involvement in this process. Here’s how you can help:

1. Visit the CDO job posting and share it with your professional networks.
2. Attend the on-campus forums so that you can get to know the candidates. These forums are also live streamed on ClemsonTV.
3. Continue to share your feedback.

When additional candidate forums are scheduled you will be notified via Inside Clemson.

– President Jim Clements

By Bob Jones
Executive Vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost

The search for Clemson’s new Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) continues.

Two well-regarded candidates recently participated in on-campus interviews and forums. After receiving great feedback from the campus community, we will be seeking additional candidates who have the knowledge, talent and enthusiasm to drive Clemson forward with our diversity and inclusiveness efforts.

The CDO search committee, which I am chairing, will work with Human Resources to begin reviewing additional candidates as soon as possible.

We want your continued involvement in this process. Here’s how you can help:

1. Visit the CDO job posting and share it with your professional networks.
2. Attend the on-campus forums so that you can get to know the candidates. These forums are also live streamed on ClemsonTV.
3. Continue to share your feedback.

Thank you for your involvement in this process. We will announce when we will have additional candidates visiting campus and encourage your participation.

Margaret Camp, M.Ed. has joined Clemson as the director of Student Disability Services. Camp succeeds Arlene Stewart, who retired from the university in June. The new director has worked with students with disabilities for more than two decades and comes to the university from USC-Upstate, where she served as director of disability services for more than 10 years.

“I’m very excited to join Clemson, which has such a great national reputation,” Camp said. “I’m anxious to hit the ground running and will be working closely with faculty, staff and students to enhance educational and inclusion opportunities.”

The North Carolina native currently serves on the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) Standing Committee on Professional Development, the Southeast ADA Center Roundtable of Advisors and the Spartanburg Mayor’s Form on People with Disabilities.
Camp was selected as one of 25 disability services providers across the country to participate in the three-year Department of Education funded training grant, Project ShIFT (Shaping Inclusion through Foundational Transformation). She has held leadership positions and speaking engagements at the local, state and national levels, including service as the program chair for the AHEAD 2011 Annual Conference and as Chair of the South Carolina AHEAD affiliate group.

Camp earned a B.S. in psychology from Guilford College, a M.Ed. in school psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has completed Ph.D. coursework in school psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

By Emily Gyemant, Class of 2016, Office of Media Relations

We’re stronger when we’re different. To highlight and celebrate the diverse cultures and people represented within the Clemson campus community, Clemson has designated October as the university’s Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Month. During the month, the university will feature dynamic presentations, lectures and events that promote open dialogue, collaboration and respect. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to participate in these events and be part of the conversation.

The Chief Diversity Office has been working with the Campus Climate Enhancement Task Force to develop these activities to build on a sense of community.

“We want people to learn about different cultures and the importance and value of the different backgrounds and really celebrate the fact that we really are a very diverse community,” said Clemson’s chief diversity officer, Leon Wiles.

One such learning opportunity will feature Steve Bucherati, chief diversity officer of The Coca-Cola Company. Bucherati will present to campus leaders The Value of Inclusion in the Workplace and Society during an Oct. 22 luncheon. Also, at this event, City of Clemson Mayor J.C. Cook will issue a proclamation designating October as Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Month. Reservations are required. Contact Leslie Doss at ldoss@clemson.edu.

On Oct. 23, author and consultant Charles Weathers will present Using Inclusive Practices to Create a Productive Workplace Environment. Open to the campus community, the lecture will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Hendrix Center, David Peebles Room.

Other events include movie screenings, a poetry slam, and a panel discussion featuring campus leaders, staff and students who will discuss their individual roles and what they can do collectively to further promote a positive environment.

To view a complete list of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Month events, visit the Chief Diversity Office website.

Read more about Dr. Wiles here.