Fanta Aw, who was named vice president of campus life in August, will now report directly to University President Sylvia Burwell on diversity priorities as the Vice President of Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence, Burwell announced in a university-wide email Monday.
The change in Aw’s responsibilities comes after the release of Burwell’s Plan for Inclusive Excellence in January. Aw’s title change will “more accurately reflect the addition of important responsibilities to her existing portfolio of leadership” in the Office of Campus Life, Burwell wrote.
Aw will now lead AU’s institutional work on the diversity plan and work with the University’s vice presidents, provost and deans to ensure the plan’s goals are met, Burwell wrote. Though administrators will “remain responsible” for their goals within the plan, Aw will be “ultimately responsible” for ensuring that progress in diversity and inclusion is made, measured and reported, she wrote.
“As she already serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet, [Aw] will report directly to me on diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities and advise me and other university leaders on these matters,” Burwell wrote.
Aw will also hire a new senior-level staff member to assist her on diversity issues as part of the title change.
“I can think of no one better qualified or suited to lead us in these important efforts,” Burwell wrote.
