Third finalist for UI President stresses equitable inclusive campus environment at forum

Hunter
04/20/21

The third finalist for University of Iowa president says that without a diverse and inclusive environment, the work that needs to be done at the UI and universities across the country won’t get done successfully.

Georgia State University Provost Wendy Hensel is on campus to meet with the community through today. She pointed out recent internal promotions that have gone from interim to permanent  without campus input, saying that it doesn’t bring the legitimacy that a national search would bring.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Hensel described firsthand experiences with that subject duringher time at Georgia State. She said the campus community was “furious” when they appointed a new president of Diversity Equity and Inclusion before a task force tackling the appointment had finished its work.

Hensel says if she’s appointed President by the Regents, she will support financial and academic accessibility for all students, build relationships with the community, and take action on diversity, equity and inclusion instead of just talking about making changes.

Hensel, Penn State College of Law Dean Hari Osofsky, and University of Illinois System Executive Vice President Barbara Wilson are vying to become the university’s 22nd President. A fourth and final candidate will be announced Wednesday morning, and they will visit campus Thursday and Friday. The Regents are expected to announce their choice by April 30th.