OIE Welcomes New Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Office for Institutional Equity is pleased to announce the arrival of Shannon Ashford in the role of director of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Shannon has more than a decade of experience in leadership and identity development, intercultural communication, and other DEI-related topics. She plans to enhance current DEI initiatives and design new ones to support the Duke community.
Shannon is experienced in creating inclusive and equitable environments by understanding, with respect and care, various communities and their unique needs. She also recognizes that individual experiences, identities, and values are foundational. It is this foundational tenet that keeps her approach to the development of educational opportunities grounded and thoughtful. She enjoys collaborating with colleagues and departments to gain an understanding of each unit's needs and guides them to successfully create a more cohesive community.
She joined the OIE team at Duke because she was "impressed with Duke’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion and look[s] forward to contribute to that commitment through delivering diverse and impactful educational and leadership development opportunities to the Duke community," said Ashford. She most recently served as the Senior Associate Director of the Intercultural Center at Wake Forest University. She holds a B.S in Journalism (Public Relations) from Ohio University and a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Kent State University.
Her extensive expertise surrounding leadership, identity development, and intercultural communication will enhance OIE's outreach to the Duke community. Join us in welcoming Shannon Ashford to Duke!
Learn more about Shannon and the rest of OIE's staff on the OIE Staff Directory.
By Maria Moreno
© 2022 Duke Office for Institutional Equity