Academic Career & Executive Search Seeking Chief Diversity Officer for University of Pittsburgh

December 23, 2019 – West Hartford, Conn-based Academic Career & Executive Search was recently selected by the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, a regional campus of the University of Pittsburgh, to lead the search for the school’s first chief diversity and inclusion officer. Managing partner Jennifer Muller is leading the assignment.

Reporting to the university president, the successful candidate will assume a critical leadership role within the university and community. The chief diversity and inclusion officer will be expected to be a committed, dynamic leader with a proven history of promoting and providing students with an inclusive and supportive learning and living experience.

“In this inaugural role, a pioneering spirit will serve the founding chief diversity and inclusion officer well as they develop, nurture and strengthen an inclusive, equitable, safe and culturally responsive and supportive environment for all students, faculty and staff,” said the search firm.

The chief diversity and inclusion officer must work across the campus and community to initiate and facilitate change, engage in challenging conversations and employ initiatives that result in transformative change, said Academic Career & Executive Search. As a strategic change-agent, the chief diversity and inclusion officer will be charged with developing the necessary strategies to engage faculty, staff, students and community members.

Working Collaboratively

Specific duties and responsibilities will include defining key areas in need of attention and/or support; recommending policy changes; and developing and implementing a strategic plan supporting the institutional goals in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion, said the search firm. The new diversity and inclusion officer will be expected to ensure these practices are incorporated into the everyday work of the institution.

He or she will also advise and work collaboratively with the president, executive leadership team, academic leaders, staff, directors, student life professionals and leadership groups to identify and establish strategic priorities and policies related to equity, diversity and inclusion for the faculty, staff and students. Among other duties, the role calls for coordinating and supporting the work of campus departments and students that advance social justice and foster cultural and historical awareness.

The chief diversity and inclusion officer will also be expected to proactively develop and implement programs and initiatives, plans, partnerships, and activities at the university‐wide level that both educate and promote diversity, inclusion and equity as core values of the institution, said Academic Career & Executive Search. The individual must identify evidence‐based best practices in recruitment, retention and promotion of a diverse, engaged workforce.

Job Requirements

A master’s degree is required for the role. Candidates must also have five years of progressively responsible diversity and inclusion related leadership experience. A history of successful program development, implementation and assessments also required. Prospects must have excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build consensus and trust.

Related: Bridge Partners Finds Chief Diversity Officer for Gallaudet University

Preferred qualifications include a doctorate as well as academic experience. The University of Pittsburgh-Bradford will consider applicants with diversity and inclusion leadership experience outside of higher education to include clinical, hospital or corporate settings.


Greenwood/Asher Seeks Chief Diversity Officer for University of Delaware
Greenwood/Asher & Associates, a Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm, has been enlisted to find a chief diversity officer for the University of Delaware. Jan Greenwood, president of the firm, and Marion Frenche, practice leader for diversity, equity and inclusion, are leading the assignment. The University of Delaware wants a seasoned academic administrator to provide innovative, progressive leadership, said Greenwood/Asher & Associates. 


Located 160 miles north of Pittsburgh, in rural McKean County, PA, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford prides itself on its high academic standards, challenging and nurturing academic programs, and high-quality, teaching-oriented faculty. The Princeton Review named Pitt-Bradford as one of the Best Colleges in the Northeast for 15 consecutive years. Pitt-Bradford has five academic divisions: behavioral and social sciences, biological and health sciences, communication and the arts, management and education, and physical and computational sciences. The school offers more than 40 majors and 50 minors and pre-professional programs. The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has an enrollment of 1,281 students, 74 percent of whom are from 60 Pennsylvania counties.

Experienced Recruiters

Academic Career & Executive Search focuses on executive search services, career planning and candidate coaching. Specializing in challenging faculty to senior administrative positions, the firm offers six a la carte services spanning full search, candidate generation, interim, multi-hire and contingency search. Candidate support services include webinars, career planning and candidate coaching. Its team has served in virtually every capacity in higher education including president, vice president, provost, dean, chief human research officer and faculty members across all types and sizes of institutions.

Ms. Muller has more than 20 years’ research and development experience in higher education and Fortune 500 companies. She has led over 70 higher education searches both domestically and internationally spanning presidents, vice presidents, associate chancellors, deans, directors, chairs and faculty level positions. She is former vice chair of the American Council on Education (ACE) Executive Search Roundtable and serves as an advisor in the numerous ACE leadership development forums.

Related: Harvard University Taps Isaacson, Miller to Find Chief Diversity Officer

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media

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