Brandeis is continuing the search for a new Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion after Mark Brimhall-Vargas stepped down in July 2021. Until the new diversity officer is appointed, David Fryson has been chosen to fill the role.

Provost Carol Fierke is co-chairing a search committee for the position alongside Prof. Harleen Singh (WGS) with Prof. Anita Hill (SOC/WGS) serving as a consultant, according to a July 20 email by the Provost. As stated in the email, the committee includes students and professors from across the Brandeis community. WittKieffer, a global executive search firm, is assisting the search process with consulting team Charlene Aguilarand Shelley Arakawa, J.D., who are working with the search committee to solicit nominations and review the position profile. Applicant reviews and semi-finalist interviews are planned for the fall, with the hope of bringing finalists to campus in November, the email explained.

In order to gather input for a position profile, the search team is conducting listening sessions over Zoom with groups of faculty, staff and students. A listening session for undergraduate students was hosted on Aug. 27, and an additional session is planned for Sept. 3. In an Aug. 27 email, Provost Executive Assistant Kristen Wasielewski identified candidate qualifications and objectives along with challenges and opportunities distinctive to the campus as important issues to consider in the feedback process.