Appointment of Interim Chief Diversity Officer

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. André McKenzie as our University’s Interim Chief Diversity Officer. Dr. McKenzie succeeds Nada Llewellyn, Esq., who will be leaving St. John’s on July 1st for a position in the private sector.

In his current role as Vice Provost Dr. McKenzie oversees many significant areas at the University, including External Scholarships and Fellowships, Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), Global Language and Culture Center, Graduate Admission Assistance Program, Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research, Inside out Program, Liberty Partnerships Program, Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, Student Support Services, University Honors Program, University Writing Center, Upward Bound, and Writing Across Communities. Since February 2021, Dr. McKenzie has been serving as one of the co-chairs of the University Strategic Planning Committee. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Education.

As Interim Chief Diversity Officer Dr. McKenzie will oversee the Office of Equity and Inclusion which encompasses the Equity and Inclusion Council, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Inclusivity Resource Center, the Academic Center for Equity and Inclusion, and RESPECT.

I am pleased to let you know that the University has engaged the services of the national executive search firm WittKieffer to assist St. John’s in the search for our next Chief Diversity Officer. One of our first tasks will be to update the position profile which will describe the qualities, experience, and expertise of the ideal candidate. More information about this search will be sent to the campus community in the months ahead. For now, I ask that you join me in thanking Dr. McKenzie for assuming the important role of Interim Chief Diversity Officer.