Five Black Leaders Selected to Lead Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives in Higher Education

Rhea Roper Nedd has been named assistant vice president of equity, diversity, and inclusion at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She most recently served as director of the Center for Student Diversity at Towson University. Earlier in her career, she was the diversity officer for the College of Undergraduate Studies and director of the McNair Scholars Program at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Roper Nedd is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where she majored in government and politics. She holds a master’s degree in political science and international relations from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and a Ph.D. in political science and international relations from Howard University. Robert Shorty has been named the inaugural vice president for people, equity, and culture at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. He most recently served as senior director of human resources for Nike. He previously held human resources positions with Target, McDonald’s, and Starbucks. Dr. Shorty holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Illinois State University, a master of human resources management degree from Keller Graduate School in Chicago, and a Ph.D. in organizational development from Benedictine University in Illinois. Rassheedah “Eda” Watts has...