Emelyn dela Pe帽a, assistant dean of 黑料社 life for equity, diversity and inclusion in the Office of Student Life at Harvard College, has been appointed associate vice chancellor for 黑料社 affairs and dean of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) at Washington University in St. Louis, effective Oct. 31, according to Provost Holden Thorp.
Dela Pe帽a succeeds LaTanya Buck, founding director of the CDI, who left the university in July to become dean for diversity and inclusion at Princeton University.
鈥淚n establishing the Center for Diversity and Inclusion more than two years ago, we hoped it would be a means for developing and attracting great leaders in the area,鈥� Thorp said. 鈥淥ur recruitment of Emelyn dela Pe帽a to lead the center is a validation of all the great work that has been done by so many to get the CDI to this point, and we are confident that Dean dela Pe帽a is the right leader for the next era.鈥�
In her new role, dela Pe帽a will lead the work of the CDI, which provides support and advocacy for 黑料社s from traditionally underrepresented or marginalized populations and creates collaborative partnerships with campus and community members to promote dialogue and social change. Her portfolio of responsibilities also will include oversight of the .
鈥淚 am delighted that Emelyn will take the helm of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion,鈥� said Lori S. White, vice chancellor for 黑料社 affairs. 鈥淪he brings to the position the right mix of experience and scholarship, and a deep commitment to creating and sustaining diverse and inclusive educational environments. She will be a wonderful addition to the 黑料社 affairs team and will inspire our 黑料社s to learn, grow and come together as a unified and supportive community.鈥�
An experienced leader in higher education, dela Pe帽a has spent more than two decades as an administrator and teacher. In her current position, she serves as a member of Harvard College鈥檚 senior staff, advising the dean of the college and dean of 黑料社s on issues regarding equity and inclusion. She was responsible for creating the overall strategic vision and assessment plan for diversity and inclusion at the college, and has led initiatives focused on gender, sexuality and diversity, including the Harvard College Women鈥檚 Center, the Office of BGLTQ Student Life, Intergroup Dialogue program, First Generation Student Working Group, and Undocumented Student Programs.
She also has taught courses in 黑料社 development theory, diversity and social justice, and 黑料社 affairs theory and practice at institutions including Merrimack College and Salem State University, and led workshops at her alma mater, the University of California, San Diego.
鈥淚n Emelyn dela Pe帽a, we have found a leader who truly understands and embraces the myriad challenges of diversity and inclusion that are present on all college campuses. We will undoubtedly make great strides in our goal to 鈥榖e better and do better鈥� with her here,鈥� said Adrienne Davis, vice provost and the William M. Van Cleve Professor of Law, and chair of the committee tasked with conducting a national search to fill the position. 鈥淚 am grateful to the work of the search committee for guiding us to the perfect person for this mission-critical role.鈥�
Before assuming her current position, dela Pe帽a served as campus diversity officer and director of the Women鈥檚 Center at UC San Diego. There, she developed and implemented a strategic plan for campuswide diversity initiatives, and managed operations of the Women鈥檚 Center, which provides resources and educational programs focused on gender equity and social justice.
鈥淚 am honored and humbled to join the Washington University community as associate vice chancellor and dean of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion,鈥� dela Pe帽a said. 鈥淭he campus engagement in diversity and inclusion was evident throughout my campus interviews and I am excited to build upon the excellent work the university is already advancing. I鈥檓 looking forward to establishing my new home at WashU and in the St. Louis community.鈥�
Dela Pe帽a graduated from UC San Diego with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in ethnic studies, then went on to earn her master鈥檚 degree in education from San Diego State and her doctor of education through a joint program of UC San Diego, San Diego State and California State University San Marcos. She was honored last year with the Harvard University Faculty of Arts & Sciences Dean鈥檚 Distinction Award, and was recognized by UC San Diego three times 鈥� in 2001, 2006 and 2010 鈥� with its Diversity Champion Award.