Feb. 15, 2023: Vice President of Equity & Inclusive Excellence

Dear Bucknellians,

I am pleased to announce that the national search for Bucknell's inaugural vice president of equity & inclusive excellence has successfully concluded with the hiring of Vernese Edghill-Walden '87, an expert on diversity issues with three decades of leadership experience in higher education. In her new role, which begins on July 31, she will plan, lead and coordinate the University's diversity, equity and inclusion resources for students, faculty and staff.

Dr. Edghill-Walden is currently the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb, Ill., a position she began in June 2020 that included a year as interim chief human resources officer. She previously served at NIU as senior associate vice president for academic diversity and chief diversity officer. She has also held positions at City Colleges of Chicago, the University of Delaware, and Franklin & Marshall College. You can read more about her background and accomplishments in this news story.

Dr. Edghill-Walden graduated from Bucknell in 1987 with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and minors in counseling and human service systems. Her return to the University holds deep meaning, for it was here that Dr. Edghill-Walden discovered her passion for diversity issues in higher education. As an undergraduate, she was highly engaged in the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion that would inspire her successful career. In 2012, she was honored with the Bucknell Multicultural Student Services Center's Founders Award for spearheading the center's creation in 1986.

It is a joy to welcome Dr. Edghill-Walden back to Bucknell, where her personal experience as a student will add rich perspective and insight to her role as our first vice president of equity & inclusive excellence. Please join me in welcoming her to our campus community.

My best,

John C. Bravman
President