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¹û½´ÊÓƵ President Christine M. Riordan announced today the appointment of both a new vice president as well as an executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion, both of whom are current members of the University community.

Jacqueline Jones LaMon, JD, a professor and an associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has been selected as ¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s new vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion. Chotsani West, MA ’07, director of student mentoring, will be executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion, a newly created position.

Jacqueline Jones LaMon, JD

“¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s goal to be a model of diversity, equity and inclusion is among our chief strategic priorities and also our deepest commitments,” said President Riordan. “We are dedicated to supporting a remarkably welcoming, inclusive and equitable community that recognizes all forms of diversity and promotes the enduring value that our University is a place for the exploration of all ideas and the pursuit of knowledge. I am confident that our two new leaders will champion and cultivate our values.”

Both appointments are effective as of December 16.

As a member of the University’s Executive Leadership team and chief diversity officer, LaMon will provide her vision and leadership for the continued advancement of ¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s diversity and inclusion resources and programs. She will work with the University and broader communities to continue building on ¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s many successes in this area.

A proven innovator and leader, LaMon has been a key contributor to ¹û½´ÊÓƵ for more than 13 years—as a professor of English, former director of the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program, prior department chair and, currently, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. One of her recent notable achievements is co-chairing the inaugural College of Arts and Sciences Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which developed inclusive guidelines to assist search committees hosting faculty candidates. She also brings valuable executive leadership experience as past director of development, and then president, of Cave Canem Foundation, the premier organization fostering the development and promotion of African American poets and poetry.

LaMon earned her bachelor’s degree at Mount Holyoke College, a JD at the UCLA School of Law and an MFA at Indiana University, Bloomington.

Chotsani West, MA ’07

New Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion Chotsani West will bring the thriving, award-winning mentoring program—which she founded—to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, further enriching both the program and the office. Earlier this year, the program won an Eduventures Innovation Award, a national recognition.

West, who joined ¹û½´ÊÓƵ in 2014 as mentoring program coordinator and trainer, earned a bachelor’s degree at Pennsylvania State University and then a master’s degree in educational leadership and technology at ¹û½´ÊÓƵ. She is presently working on a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership for diverse learning communities at Molloy College. Before ¹û½´ÊÓƵ, West worked in various roles in schools and community organizations in the greater New York City area. At ¹û½´ÊÓƵ, she has also served as an adjunct professor in education as well as the arts and sciences.

“Under LaMon’s and West’s leadership, ¹û½´ÊÓƵ will keep striving to be an example for other institutions and communities,” President Riordan added. “¹û½´ÊÓƵ intends to help inspire a next generation of leaders who advance justice both here and beyond our campus borders.”