Dear Golden Flashes,
Our divisions of Human Resources and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have merged as the Division of People, Culture and Belonging under the leadership of Vice President Amoaba Gooden. With a combined division, we have an opportunity to expand our reach and engage with students in new ways. Vice President Gooden is leading our new team as it elevates the work of both units with a focus on the well-being of people and organizational culture. Over the next few months, she will work with all university divisions and a process team made up of Kent State University community members to design and refine the new unit.
I am inviting you to share your ideas on how this new division can better serve your needs and engage with the student experience. This new Division of People, Culture and Belonging will help strengthen efforts geared toward our institutional mission and vision. It also will advance a culture of care, kindness and respect, which is in line with our Kent State values. This move also allows us to focus on doing things differently and doing them better. For example, the Division of Human Resources and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion both provided professional development to faculty, staff and students.
Let me assure you that human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion will continue to be priorities for Kent State. The new division will have offices with specific focus on these areas, continuing to provide student support, advocacy and collaboration across the university system.
Please join me in welcoming this new division and in supporting Vice President Gooden and her team in this transition.
Sincerely,
Todd Diacon
President