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Vanessa Alexander, is the new director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. She has spent her career in higher education in admissions-related positions focused on programming, student experience and financial aid, most recently with the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and Drexel University College of Medicine.

She previously worked for Truman as an admissions counselor before taking a similar position with A.T. Still University where she also served as the school’s Diversity and Inclusion Liaison.

During her time at Truman, Alexander was a Multicultural Affairs student intern and participated in the Minority Ambassadors Program for four years. She has served the University as a Diversity Fellow and as a member of the Strategic Plan Committee in 2021.

The Truman Virtual Town Hall regarding racial injustice and inequity is now available online for students, faculty and staff who were unable to watch live.

The purpose of the town hall is to take stock of where we are currently as a University and gain a shared understanding of what we must address to accomplish institutional change. This understanding will permit us to determine the meaningful, sustained, accountable ways Truman can be the change we wish to see.

Panel members included: Brad Turnbull, interim director of the Center for Diversity & Inclusion; Jason McDonald, assistant professor of history; Theo Dean, head coach for women’s basketball; students Reece Ellis and Elana Sanders-Braxton, selected by Student Government; and Bertha Thomas, Truman’s newly hired diversity and inclusion consultant.

A recording of the town hall can be accessed here.

(This article originally appeared in the Truman Today, Vol. 24 No. 35 – July 6, 2020)

Truman has hired a consultant as part of its continuing efforts to help the University gain a shared understanding of its role in addressing racial injustice and inequity.

Bertha Thomas, former assistant dean for multicultural affairs and the Scholastic Enhancement Experience Program at Truman, will serve as a diversity and inclusion consultant.

Among her responsibilities, Thomas will work with Truman departments, faculty and staff to address student concerns and inclusion efforts. She will also serve on the search committee for the hiring of the director for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Additionally, Thomas plans to bring together a small group of alumni of color, faculty, staff and students for a series of virtual and in-person conversations regarding institutional change.

Read more details in the Truman Today newsletter >

The Truman Virtual Town Hall regarding racial injustice and inequity President Thomas mentioned in her email to students, faculty and staff, will take place at 6 p.m. June 24.

The purpose of the town hall is to take stock of where we are currently as a University and gain a shared understanding of what we must address to accomplish institutional change. This understanding will permit us to determine the meaningful, sustained, accountable ways Truman can be the change we wish to see.

See more details in the Truman Today newletter >