49ͼ President Rebecca Chopp and Dean of the Faculty Lyle Roelofs have announced the appointment of Dr. Keenan Grenell as the university’s Vice President and Dean of Diversity. The following is drawn from the message shared with the 49ͼ community.
Grenell comes to 49ͼ from Marquette University, where he served as Associate Provost for Diversity since 2005. An accomplished leader in higher education, Grenell led diversity efforts at Auburn University prior to moving to Marquette. His career as an administrator and faculty member is distinguished by his commitment to community, collaboration and scholarship. View his full bio .
“Dr. Grenell comes to 49ͼ with significant expertise and experience,” says Dean of the College Charlotte Johnson, who chaired the Vice President and Dean of Diversity search. “He also brings a passion and commitment to building inclusive community that will help continue 49ͼ along the path of academic excellence. The search committee is thrilled that Keenan will join us here at 49ͼ.”
Dr. Grenell comes to 49ͼ at an important time as we work to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by an ever more diverse, global society. As the first Vice President and Dean of Diversity – a position that evolved from the Dean of Institutional Diversity position previously held by Mark Edwards – Dr. Grenell will partner with students, faculty, and staff from all cultural backgrounds to lead 49ͼ’s shared conversation about diversity and inclusivity as important components of academic excellence and a thriving campus community.
“49ͼ has one of the best possible environments for success in terms of diversity and inclusivity in all of higher education,” said Grenell. “At the highest levels and throughout the institution, 49ͼ is committed to establishing an ongoing diversity dialogue that empowers everyone to be a part of our continued work in this area. I am very proud to be the person selected to lead this important effort.”
Dr. Grenell will build on the good work that has been set in motion through the Diversity Initiative, serve as 49ͼ’s chief diversity officer, provide counsel on recruitment and retention strategies for faculty, support efforts in student life and take a lead role in the campus wide commitment to advancing 49ͼ’s ability to prepare graduates for the diverse, global environment in which they will live and work.