Dr. Calvin R. Hill, director of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity at Worcester State University in Massachusetts, will become university officer for diversity and inclusion at St. Thomas, effective Jan. 26.
Hill’s responsibilities will include advancing St. Thomas’ mission and goals related to diversity, equity, affirmative action, inclusion and human rights by supporting existing programs and policies and developing new initiatives.
He will be a member of the President’s Cabinet and the Strategic Plan Oversight Committee, as well as co-chair of Diversity and Inclusive Culture Task Force that will develop initiatives for the strategic plan priority on Embracing our Differences as One Human Family. He will report to Father Larry Snyder, who will begin his duties as vice president for mission on Feb. 1.
“Calvin’s experience in working on diversity and inclusion issues in higher education over the last two decades have prepared him well to lead our efforts in these areas,” President Julie Sullivan said. “Working with Father Snyder in the Office for Mission, Calvin’s leadership will be pivotal to realizing and sustaining our strategic plan vision of an environment of radical hospitality premised on the development and flourishing of every community member.”
Hill described himself as “energetic and passionate,” and said he is looking forward to collaborating across St. Thomas’ campuses on diversity and inclusion issues to strengthen existing polices and develop new initiatives.
“The primary appeal is that I’ll be focusing on an area in my professional development that I’ve been looking at for 25 years,” Hill said. “I’m excited to be a part of a campus that is looking at how it is going to lead initiatives. Reading up on President Sullivan and St. Thomas’ mission, a lot of things fit with where I want to be professionally.”
Hill earned his Ph.D. in political science from Howard University in Washington, D.C.; a Master of Science in personnel administration from Emporia State University in Kansas; and a Bachelor of Arts in history-political science from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas.
Other past positions include associate provost and chief diversity officer at MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston; assistant dean and director of diversity programs as well as director of minority affairs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts; and admissions counselor at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas.
Hill said it’s been about 20 years since he’s been to Minnesota but he has fond memories and is excited to relocate to a new region of the country, particularly because of the diversity in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
“I’m looking forward to a lot of opportunities to engage in cross-cultural dialogue,” Hill said.