From the President: Interim VP for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Dear CWU Community,

CWU Biological Sciences Professor Dr. Lucinda Carnell has been named the interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

After careful consideration, Dr. Lucinda Carnell has been selected as the Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her appointment begins April 1st and will last until the summer of 2024.

Dr. Carnell has a rich and successful tenure at Central Washington University. She has served on the faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences for the past 17 years, earning the rank of full professor in 2017. She also led the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program from 2017-18 and continues to be involved with the McNair Scholars program as a mentor and grant writer, helping secure $1.16 million in federal funds from 2017-22.

At the 2022 President's Diversity Awards, Dr. Carnell received the Bobby Cummings Lifetime Achievement Award for her commitment to broadening STEM participation for minoritized students; recruiting and empowering first-generation and minority-background students; and supporting low-income students in their pursuit of high-demand majors such as health care.

Central Washington University has benefited tremendously from Dr. Carnell's expertise and leadership, and I look forward to working alongside her as she further elevates our diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

Later this week, I will share more information about CWU's plans to live our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through a summary of my listening sessions with the university community.

Sincerely,

A. James Wohlpart
President