President Wippman’s Writings & Remarks

Chief Diversity Officer Search Update

November 18, 2021

Tags Public Statements

Dear Members of the Hamilton Community,

I have several important updates to share about the search for a full-time chief diversity officer (CDO) at Hamilton.

Earlier this semester, I announced the members of the search committee who would work closely with a national search firm to identify Hamilton’s first full-time chief diversity officer. Since that time, Vice President and Dean of Students Terry Martinez, who was to serve as committee co-chair with Professor of Economics Steve Wu, began a medical leave. In Terry’s place, I asked Maria Genao-Homs, associate dean of diversity and inclusion, to assume co-chair responsibilities with Steve, and she has agreed to serve in this important role for the College.

Additionally, last month, Storbeck Search, the firm we retained to assist us, held several open meetings with students, faculty, and staff, and suggested that we hire an interim CDO to begin on or before July 1, 2022. There is merit in this approach, but I believe, and the members of the search committee agree, that we can and should pursue a permanent full-time hire according to the timetable we outlined earlier.

With this in mind, we have hired Angela Batista, a certified diversity consultant with CDO experience at several colleges and universities, to help us keep the search on track. We have also contracted with Isaacson Miller to take the lead on the next phase of the search. Angela, who has nearly three decades of experience as a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist, began working with us earlier this month. She will make several trips to campus in the coming months to conduct implicit bias training for the senior staff and search committee, and to meet with a cross-section of the community. Isaacson Miller has helped us fill many key positions at Hamilton, and Keight Tucker Kennedy, who will take the lead for Isaacson, has substantial recent experience in hiring CDOs.

The CDO search is one part of a comprehensive plan of action and a priority for making Hamilton a more fully welcoming and inclusive community for all. I look forward to working with you on this important effort.

David