Dr. Jeffrey Coleman has joined Kennesaw State University as deputy chief diversity officer in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI).
Coleman joined Kennesaw State on June 1 after serving as the inaugural director of Georgia State University’s Multicultural Center and an adjunct faculty member in the sociology and African American studies departments. In his role at KSU, he will oversee the University’s Affirmative Action Plan, provide leadership and support to several academic units on diversity planning and assessment and lead annual reporting on KSU’s performance as it relates to diversity and inclusion-related indicators.
“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Coleman to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion team,” said Chief Diversity Officer Sylvia Carey-Butler. “He brings nearly 20 years of experience in diversity and inclusion and has already proven to be a tremendous addition to ODI and the entire campus community. I look forward to students, faculty and staff meeting him and interacting with our office.”
Coleman brings an extensive background working in multicultural and student affairs in which he was responsible for implementing minority male learning communities, developing support services for students and providing academic- and immigration-related advising and support for international students. He also has experience supporting students, faculty and staff through various means, including the development of workshops and trainings, chairing university initiatives and managing federal and state-funded grants, which allowed him to introduce innovative ways to bridge diversity and inclusion practice alongside curriculum.
Prior to his role at Georgia State, Coleman was the assistant director for multicultural affairs and oversaw the Multicultural Resource Center at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He also managed cultural-themed houses and served as the coordinator of the Promoting Respect for Inclusive Diversity in Education pre-orientation and yearlong mentoring program for first-year students at Trinity College in Harford, Connecticut. The program supported students who were first-generation and from underrepresented backgrounds.
“I am delighted to join the Owl family and contribute toward building a culture of care that is welcoming, affirming and inclusive for all members of the KSU community,” Coleman said.
Coleman holds a Ph.D. in Educational Studies and Cultural Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master of Science in Counseling with a Concentration in Student Development in Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies from Trinity College.