Morgan brings more than 20 years of experience to the interim role, including having led the development of the Medical Center’s Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan.
University of Rochester President Sarah C. Mangelsdorf announced today that Adrienne Morgan, who currently serves as the vice president for equity and inclusion at the University of Rochester Medical Center and as a senior associate dean for equity and inclusion at the School of Medicine and Dentistry, has been appointed interim vice president for equity and inclusion and the Richard Feldman Chief Diversity Officer. She is replacing Mercedes Ramírez Fernández, who established the Institutional Office of Equity and Inclusion (IOEI) three years ago and recently announced that she will be taking a position at the University of Minnesota.
The role of vice president for equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer ensures equity across the institution; fosters a culture of respect and inclusion for all faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of the community; oversees compliance in this area; and advocates for the role that diversity and equity initiatives play in achieving institutional excellence. In addition, Morgan will serve as senior adviser on equity and diversity matters to the president, provost, and other University officers and join the president’s senior leadership group for the duration of her interim appointment.
Morgan brings more than 20 years of experience to the interim role. At the Medical Center, she led the values-driven development of the Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan and built an infrastructure to address issues of equity and inclusion for faculty, students, and staff. She and her team have created a toolkit to support equitable faculty recruitment efforts and established an infrastructure for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training. In partnership with the Association of College and University Educators, she worked to develop training across the campus that will result in more inclusive and equitable learning environments.
Morgan is also an associate professor in the Department of Medical Humanities and Bioethics at the Medical Center and an associate professor at the Warner School of Education.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to provide leadership on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice on an institutional level. This is a wonderful time for growth and collaboration. There is a lot to be done and I’m confident all of the individuals currently involved in this work will continue to bring their best and create a culture in which everyone thrives,” says Morgan.
A nationwide search for a new chief diversity officer will be launched this fall.
