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
Incoming Provost Cameron McCoy Selected to Examine Racial, Economic Opportunity Gaps in Higher Education
Incoming Shenandoah University Provost Cameron McCoy, Ph.D, has been selected as one of 12 higher education leaders to join a national project to examine and discuss ways to make the higher education experience more equitable for all students. Dr. ... Continue Reading Incoming Provost Cameron McCoy Selected…
‘Do All The Good That We Can’: The Work Must Continue
Nearly a year ago, in response to the murder of George Floyd and the systemic racism connected to that, Shenandoah made a statement and launched anti-racism actions. This week’s guilty verdicts of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd provide ... Continue Reading ‘Do All The Good That…
No Tolerance for Racial Injustice
Dear students, faculty and staff, I write to you following an historic verdict. And while there is profound reflection and celebration, we must be mindful that there is still much work to be done. Here at Shenandoah, we continue to have no ... Continue Reading No Tolerance for Racial Injustice