Dr. Artika Tyner, assistant professor of public policy and leadership in the College of Education, Leadership and Counseling, has been named interim officer for diversity and inclusion. Tyner will take up the work begun by Dr. Calvin Hill earlier this year while a search for a permanent associate vice president of diversity and inclusion is conducted.
"Within this new role, I seek to advance the foundational precepts of our mission – diversity, community and inclusiveness. This mission demonstrates our commitment to ensure that the University of St. Thomas is a vibrant diverse community in which, together, we work for a more just and inclusive society," Tyner said.
Her research has explored diversity as a core leadership competence, building an inclusive classroom, dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline and developing new educational pipelines for students of color. She is the author of The Leader's Journey: A Guide to Discovering the Leader Within, which focuses on leadership development and diversity/inclusion.
Father Larry Snyder, vice president for mission at St. Thomas, noted that, "Dr. Tyner leads by example by organizing policy campaigns, fostering restorative justice practices, developing social entrepreneurship initiatives and promoting assets-based community development. She also serves as a global citizen by supporting education, entrepreneurship and women’s leadership initiatives in Africa. With this appointment, the University of St. Thomas renews its commitment to continuing to make diversity a priority through all aspects of university life."