Announcing the New Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement
April 30, 2019
Dear Colleagues:
I am delighted to announce that Dr. Enobong (Anna) Branch will join Rutgers University–New Brunswick as Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement and Professor of Sociology effective August 12, 2019.
This is an important role for our university. As one of the most diverse institutions in the nation, Rutgers draws strength from the rich variety of perspectives and life experiences within our community. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will continue to advance, promote and advocate for inclusiveness, diversity and equity as key elements in achieving Rutgers' future success.
Dr. Branch will have responsibility for enhancing diversity and inclusion in recruitment, retention, curriculum, research and community engagement across Rutgers University-New Brunswick. She also will work to expand and strengthen our partnerships with the external community to support our institutional goals of inclusion and equity in those relationships. Dr. Branch will report directly to me.
Dr. Branch joins us from the University of Massachusetts–Amherst where she serves as Associate Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion, Chief Diversity Officer, and Professor of Sociology. Her significant accomplishments in this role include leading the integration of diversity throughout the campus strategic plan, executing the university's campus climate survey, and creating diversity infrastructure through Climate Advisors in executive areas and Diversity Officers in schools and colleges. She received her doctorate in Sociology from SUNY-Albany and her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Howard University.
Please join me in welcoming Anna to her new role. Given her accomplishments and success in leading diversity initiatives and working effectively across disciplines, she is precisely the proven and dynamic leader we need in this mission-essential role.
Our university also owes a great debt of gratitude to the members of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement Search Committee, co-chaired by Dean Francine Conway (Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology-GSAPP) and Mr. Frank Hundley (Board of Governors Member).
Christopher J. Molloy, Ph.D.
Chancellor, Rutgers University–New Brunswick