Fellow Bears,
I am writing to announce that I will soon be launching searches to identify new leaders to oversee UNC’s important work in student affairs and diversity, equity, and inclusion. In doing so, I will also be implementing several changes to the organizational structure to best support UNC’s progress toward the vision and outcomes articulated in our Rowing, Not Drifting 2030 strategic plan.
Since the departure in June of Dr. Cedric Howard, the Department of Enrollment Services, led by Associate Vice President Pete Lien, has reported to Provost and Executive Vice President Kirsty Fleming. This has proven to be a powerful collaboration in support of student success by creating a seamless experience through the entire student lifecycle from the first point of contact through graduation. With this in mind, I am making the realignment of the Department of Enrollment Services within the Division of Academic Affairs permanent effective immediately.
As we launch the search for the next vice president for Student Affairs, one significant change to the division’s portfolio will be the inclusion of UNC’s seven cultural and resource centers. The cultural and resource centers had previously reported to UNC’s vice president for Student Affairs until a leadership transition in 2021. Realigning the centers within the Division of Student Affairs provides the opportunity to bring together the leaders and co-curricular programs and services that strengthen networks of support for students and foster diverse, inclusive communities.
The centers are vital to our university community given their pivotal role in providing support services to students. In addition, the centers engage all UNC students by providing opportunities to explore various social identities and ways to promote an equitable and inclusive university. With this move, my commitment to the success and visibility of our cultural and resource centers remains unchanged.
In 2021, I created a cabinet-level position to lead the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Over the past three years, Tobias Guzmán and the staff within the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion have led a number of significant priorities with university-wide impact, including the launch of the DEI Fellows Program, the administration of a campus climate survey, and the achievement of the Hispanic Serving Institution designation.
Even as the cultural and resource centers return to the Division of Student Affairs, the need remains for a focus on planning, leading, and collaboratively implementing university-wide strategic initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. In the new structure, this work will be led by a chief diversity officer who will continue to report to me and serve as a member of my cabinet. The chief diversity officer will also serve as a thought partner and facilitator, recommending and supporting the additional actions of many institutional partners needed to fulfill our commitment to Empower Inclusivity— from policy design to organizational development to the creation of communities of learning and practice. As we continue to build our internal capacity to realize our strategic priorities, we will also create and adapt positions and direct the resources necessary to fulfill this work.
As we launch national searches to identify UNC’s next vice president for Student Affairs and next chief diversity officer, we will have search committees representing a broad range of university perspectives, and we will provide an opportunity for members of the university community to share feedback as candidates who are selected as finalists visit campus. Please watch for more information later in the academic year.
I will also be sharing additional ways that we are working toward the vision for UNC’s future, and I invite you to join me for two opportunities to learn more:
State of the University Address
Tuesday, October 15
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Rocky Mountain Grand Ballroom, University Center
Register to attend
Organizational Updates Fireside Chat
Tuesday, October 29
10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Centennial Hall (Room 198) in Brown Hall (use east entrance)
Register to attend
As we look to all that is ahead, I am excited at what we can accomplish together to advance UNC’s strategic priorities.
Sincerely,
Andy Feinstein
President
