Grand Valley State hires vice president for new position

Grand Valley State University President Thomas J. Haas announced the appointment of Dr. Jeanne Arnold from the University of Pennsylvania as the university's first Vice President for Inclusion and Equity.

Arnold is currently the executive director in the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs at the Ivy League university where she's worked since 1995. She moved to her current position in 2003.

Arnold earned her Ed.D. in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania, where she also earned a master's degree. She holds a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University.

"I am so pleased that we will have a person with Dr. Arnold's qualifications in this critically important position at Grand Valley," Haas said. "I have created this vice presidency, dedicated to inclusion and equity, so we can continue the work of creating an environment in which all can succeed and be informed by diversity of perspectives and people. Diversity is essential in promoting the values of a liberal education and must be nurtured as an intellectual asset."

"I am truly honored to be Grand Valley's choice as the first vice president for Inclusion and Equity," said Arnold. "I look forward to working with President Haas and the entire Grand Valley family to build upon the impressive foundation of inclusion initiatives already in place."

The university conducted a nationwide search for this position and a search committee, comprised of representatives from the university and the community, narrowed down the impressive list of candidates.

"The creation of this important inaugural position effectively demonstrates that inclusion and equity are priorities on campus," said Marlene Kowalski-Braun, co-chair of the search committee and director of the Women's Center. "We are confident that Jeanne Arnold can effectively build on the momentum that has been created to further infuse and embed diversity at Grand Valley."

The creation of this vice president position complements the mission of incorporating all voices and experiences into the campus culture. It culminates several years of sustained dialogue, activities, and research by faculty, staff and students.

"I believe Dr. Arnold will be able to build a real division of inclusion and equity and not just an office," said Regina McClinton, president of the People of Color Network and an associate professor of Biology at Grand Valley. "This effort involves everyone on campus. I see her as a true leader, facilitator, and an agent for on-going, positive change."

Greenwood & Associates, Inc., the firm that assisted in the search, noted that while a chief diversity officer is becoming more common in higher education, Grand Valley is one of the first regional four-year public universities to hire a person at this senior leadership level.

Arnold will report directly to the president and be part of his senior management team. She will begin her duties January 6, 2008.