Hakeem Leonard
Assistant Provost for Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
Dr. Leonard’s position in academic affairs is focused on defining, assessing, strategizing, and implementing inclusive excellence as central to the Shenandoah’s mission. He is interested in processes, practices, and policies that make a real and sustainable impact throughout the institution and with schools, divisions, programs, and departments. The areas of the work surround initiatives of recruitment, retention, and success of diverse faculty and staff, support for faculty development, working to support and collaborate with faculty and teaching staff for transformative learning, and collaborating across the university to support student success, engagement, and belonging.
It is going to take us all working together for transformation. The unexamined impacts of racism and oppression cannot stand here. We are not unique in that racism and oppression are everywhere, but we want to be accountable in the way we acknowledge, listen and learn, commit and collaborate, and follow through with sustained action."
Dahlia Ashford
Assistant Dean of Students for Diversity, Inclusion, and Residential Services
Dahlia Ashford provides leadership in the areas of residential services, student conduct, The Mosaic Center for Diversity, and the [Not Just] Women’s Center. She is responsible for implementing diversity initiatives that enhance retention and persistence through to graduation, as well as life skills development for underrepresented students.
My goals are to develop relationships within the Shenandoah community that will prove beneficial to our students. I plan to increase the retention efforts for our underrepresented populations. Our students need us more than ever, and I hope that Shenandoah University proves to be a place where students can flourish and become productive global citizens.”
DeShon Foxx
Assistant Athletic Director for Student Success, Inclusion & Equity
Foxx serves as the department's compliance director and has a leadership role with the department's RED (racial equity and diversity) team. DeShon is responsible for athletic educational programming and leading collaborative efforts across campus. He provides resources for minority athletes in order to encourage their holistic development and the acquisition of life skills outside of athletics.
I look forward to collaborating with everyone on campus in an effort to further the success of the students and student-athletes at Shenandoah University as well as being a part of the continuing holistic development of the community."
Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity News
Jefferson ’10 Awarded the 2022 Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Jazz Educator of the Year Award
Joseph Jefferson ’10 (Master of Music in Pedagogy) was selected as the recipient of the Jazz Education Network’s 2022 Ellis Marsalis, Jr., Jazz Educator of the Year Award. Named after the legendary jazz educator, the award recognizes an outstanding ... Continue Reading Jefferson ’10 Awarded the 2022…
Shenandoah Esports Student Receives Prestigious Grant
First-year esports management student Abigail Haenggi ’25 is one of 30 female gamers across the country to earn a prestigious esports grant. The JBL Quantum Grant with 1,000 Dreams Fund program was started to help improve gender representation and ... Continue Reading Shenandoah Esports Student Receives Prestigious…
Shenandoah University Black Alumni Network Marks A Full Year
Shenandoah University’s Black Alumni Network is going strong as it celebrates its first year. After being established in 2020, the group is closing in on 200 members and is presenting its first Homecoming events this year. Those events include a ... Continue Reading Shenandoah University Black Alumni Network…