Damon Williams, a recognized expert on strategic diversity leadership and youth development, will speak at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 10, in the Popp Martin Student Union Theater. This presentation, which is open to students, faculty and staff, is sponsored by the Council on University Community.
“Our diversity goals go far beyond program development and enrollment statistics. We seek to be intentional in our approaches to supporting a campus environment that embraces and celebrates the diversity that already exists and that seeks full representation of our region’s cultural richness,” said Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor of Academic Affairs.
Williams, who completed a doctorate from the University of Michigan Center for the Study of Higher and Post-Secondary Education, is author of the best-selling “Strategic Diversity Leadership: Activating Change and Transformation in Higher Education” and “The Chief Diversity Officer.” He is considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on diversity, equity and inclusion; chief diversity officers; student achievement; and driving social impact and organizational change in the higher education, corporate, K-12 and social sectors.
Currently, he is chief catalyst for the Center for Strategic Diversity Leadership and Social Innovation and a senior scholar and innovation fellow at the Wisconsin Equity and Inclusion Laboratory of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he previously served as associate vice chancellor and inaugural chief diversity, equity and educational achievement officer.
For four years, Williams led a $250 million social impact portfolio for the world’s largest youth development company, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, representing the interests of nearly four million diverse youth and teens as senior vice president for programs and chief education officer.
Since 2006, the Chancellor-appointed Council on University Community (CUC) has been charged with leading diversity efforts within each division designed to create and sustain an inclusive environment and to foster a sense of community among faculty, students and staff. In 2016, Lorden appointed the University’s first CUC Working Group to increase the visibility, coordination and impact of this work within the Division of Academic Affairs.
Williams’ visit to UNC Charlotte is in direct response to recommendations from the CUC Working Group of faculty and staff who are charged with facilitating the implementation of goals of the Campus Plan for Diversity, Access and Inclusion. One recommendation from this group is to offer regular and comprehensive diversity training for campus leadership. Williams will lead multiple diversity workshops for campus leaders Oct. 10-11.