July 2, 2020

Dear Trojan Community,

We are excited to announce the search for USC’s first Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer (CIDO) has begun. This critical role is long overdue at USC, and President Folt has charged us to find the right candidate whose strategic leadership will cultivate a University climate that prioritizes and fosters inclusion, diversity, belonging, and anti-racism.

The scope of and credentials for the CIDO role were defined with inputs from leaders and members of Academic Senate, Staff Assembly, Diversity Liaisons, and other members of the Trojan community. We’re confident that we have people within our own community who possess the credentials and experience and embody the compassion, dedication, and leadership to guide our University through lasting and significant change. Accordingly, this position has been posted internally on the Careers section of Workday. We encourage the entire community to submit nominations to Maryam Samiyi, Director of Talent Acquisition (samiyi@usc.edu).

We’re grateful to the following community members for agreeing to serve with us on the CIDO Search Committee, comprising undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff:

Meseret Alemu, Director of Campus Affairs, Graduate Student Government
Erika Chesley, Associate Director of Engagement and Communications, Auxiliary Services; President of the Staff Assembly
Dr. Donna Elliott, Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Medical Education; Vice Dean for Medical Education; Chair, Department of Medical Education; Keck School of Medicine of USC
Dr. Alan Green, Associate Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education
Dr. Shaun Harper, Provost Professor in USC Rossier School of Education and USC Marshall School of Business; Clifford and Betty Allen Chair in Urban Leadership; USC Race and Equity Center Founder and Executive Director
Jaya Hinton, Co-Director of Black Student Assembly
Rebecca Lonergan, Professor of Lawyering Skills, and Associate Director of Legal Writing and Advocacy Program, USC Gould School of Law; Past President of the USC Academic Senate
Dr. Varun Soni, Dean of Religious Life, Office of Religious and Spiritual Life; Vice Provost of Campus Wellness and Crisis Intervention
Christine Street, Associate Vice Provost, Institutional Accessibility and ADA Compliance
William Vela, Director of La CASA

Thank you in advance for your consideration and submission of nominations.

Sincerely,

Charles F. Zukoski
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Felicia A. Washington
Senior Vice President of Human Resources