Cornell's Commitment to Diversity

University Diversity Council

In December 2006, Cornell University announced the formation of a University Diversity Council. The Executive Committee of the Council is co-chaired by the President and the Provost. It meets several times each year to review and revise diversity goals and strategies for the campus.

A Working Group of the Council meets monthly. It is responsible for identifying opportunities and implementing strategies. The Working Group also holds frequent public meetings, which provide critical opportunities to engage with campus and local communities. Please see the list of events for details.

Executive Committee of the University Diversity Council

  • David Skorton (co-chair), President
  • David Harris (co-chair), Interim Provost, Deputy Provost and Vice Provost for Social Sciences
  • Susan Murphy, Vice President for Student and Academic Services
  • Mary Opperman, Vice President for Human Resources
  • Elizabeth "Beta" Mannix (co-chair), Vice Provost for Equity and Inclusion, Professor of Management and Director of the Institute for the Social Sciences
  • Michele Moody-Adams, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
  • Sunny Power, Dean of the Graduate School (on sabbatical)
  • Peter Lepage, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
  • William Fry, Dean of the University Faculty
  • J. Ellen Gainor, Associate Dean of the Graduate School

Working Group of the University Diversity Council

  • Elizabeth "Beta" Mannix (co-chair), Vice Provost for Equity and Inclusion, Professor of Management and Director of the Institute for the Social Sciences
  • David Harris (co-chair), Interim Provost, Deputy Provost and Vice Provost for Social Sciences
  • Richard Allmendinger, Associate Dean of Engineering
  • Irma Almirall-Padamsee, Director of the Office of Diversity, JGSM Student Services
  • Lynette Chappell-Williams, Director of Workforce Diversity, Equity and Life Quality
  • Asa Craig, Undergraduate Student, Arts and Science
  • Doris Davis, Associate Provost for Admissions and Enrollment
  • Iris Delgado, Undergraduate Student, Arts and Science
  • Michelle Duguid, Equity and Inclusion Scholar Postdoctoral Associate, Johnson School
  • Durrell Harper, Representative of the Student Assembly
  • Kent Hubbell, Dean of Students
  • Barbara A. Knuth, Senior Associate Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Moji Olaniyan, Director of the Office of Minority Educational Affairs
  • Sergio Oliva, Representative of the Graduate Professional Student Assembly
  • Patty Stark, Executive Staff Assistant, Office of Equity and Inclusion
  • Melissa Thomas-Hunt, Associate Professor of Management and Organizations
  • Pamela Tolbert, Chair of ILR Organizational Behavior
  • Sofia Villenas, Associate Professor of Education