The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education has selected Sumun L. Pendakur and Ande Diaz to participate in its inaugural Chief Diversity Officer Fellows Program for the 2014-15 academic year.
Pendakur is the associate dean for institutional diversity at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California. Diaz is the associate provost for diversity & organizational development at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Pendakur and Diaz, who will receive grants to facilitate the process, will individually shadow and be mentored by a senior level chief diversity officer. Each fellow will develop a leadership plan and will examine diversity issues, policies and procedures on the mentor’s campus as well as her own.
At the conclusion of the fellowship, the CDO fellow and the mentor will each complete a program assessment and final report highlighting the learning and leadership experience.
“We are delighted to offer this unprecedented opportunity for a new and/or early career Chief Diversity Officer to obtain real time guidance and on the ground learning from a more senior colleague,” said NADOHE President Dr. Benjamin D. Reese. “The goal is to enhance the Fellows’ professional knowledge and experience in order to stimulate strategic thinking and advance outcomes at their home institutions.”
