Sandra Mitchell

Last week UND announced it had chosen Sandra Mitchell to fill the new position of Associate Vice President of Inclusion and Diversity. Mitchell, who is currently the Chief Diversity Officer at Regis University in Colorado, will start at UND on July 14.

“I am so excited Sandra has been selected,” Vice President of Student Affairs Lori Ressor said.  “I think she will bring new perspectives, new energy and will be a great collaborator.”

Mitchell will work towards enhancing diversity and making the work and learning environment at UND more inclusive. Mitchell will also strive towards making sure diversity is a part of all aspects of the university and will work with certain offices in particular, including the Women’s Center, American Indian Student Services, Multicultural Student Services, the International Center and LGBTQA services.

Mitchell will report to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Thomas DiLorenzo and will work closely with Reesor.

“I am very excited for this opportunity to work with such a wonderful group of faculty, staff and students and to help lead UND in this next exciting phase of its diversity initiatives,” Mitchell said in a statement released by the university.

The search for candidates began in late 2013. Reesor said the university was looking for an individual that had vision, energy, strong interpersonal skills, understood various aspects of diversity and had a thorough knowledge of the subject.

The idea of a position like this began a few years ago. In 2011, President Robert Kelley established the Diversity Advisory Committee comprised of students, faculty and staff to advise and make recommendations to the President regarding diversity on campus.

The committee recommended creating the position of Associate Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion.