Valerie Hampton to lead initiative
President Harvey Stenger has announced establishment of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Binghamton University, replacing the Office of Affirmative Action. Former Director of Affirmative Action Valerie Hampton will lead the new office as Chief Diversity Officer with a reporting line directly to the president.
Establishment of the office is another important step on the University’s road to becoming the premier public university of the 21st century, and supports one of the University’s five strategic priorities developed during the Road Map strategic planning process.
“Those who have been following the Road Map know that Strategic Priority 3 is for the campus to unite to foster a diverse and inclusive campus culture,” Stenger said. “The mission of this new office is to support the development and implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives that create a welcoming campus climate that exudes a fundamental respect for human diversity in all its dimensions.”
Hampton has long been committed to the idea of respect for human diversity and for creating a campus community that is inclusive of all its members — a community in which prejudice, harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnicity, race, national origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran era status and sexual orientation are unacceptable.
Hampton has served as the Director of Affirmative Action at Binghamton University for the past 12 years. She has over 25 years of progressively responsible experience in the design and implementation of affirmative action, equity and access programs including recruitment and selection of students, faculty, staff and administrators; equal opportunity advocacy; cultural competency and diversity education and training; investigations and complaint resolution; workforce development; and ADA requirements. She also has extensive experience in labor relations including investigations, disciplinary actions, and contract interpretation and implementation. Hampton, who has also provided cultural competency and diversity training for agencies in K-12 education, higher education, social services, law enforcement and mediation, is a certified National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) trainer.
“The mission of the new office is to support the development and implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives that create a welcoming campus climate that exudes a fundamental respect for human diversity in all its dimensions,” said Stenger.
“At Binghamton University, we view diversity as encompassing all individuals and groups, as well as social, cultural, political, religious and other affiliations,” said Hampton. “Through this enhanced office, we will continue to develop ways the campus can exhibit respect for human diversity in our learning and working environs and create an atmosphere where prejudice, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable.”
Hampton has been working closely with Stenger to prepare for the enhanced role and to identify divisional liaisons to assist in implementing this important initiative.
The divisional liaisons are Daryl Santos, Academic Affairs; Joe Schultz, Administration; Julia Quigley, Advancement; Ed Scott, Athletics; Randall Edouard, Student Affairs; and Lisa Gilroy, Research.
“I’m excited to have such a strong team leading us in this effort,” said Stenger. “I have repeatedly said that we cannot be premier without being diverse and inclusive, and I believe that this expanded office will ensure that we encourage diversity of thoughts and opinions, while at the same time we solidify a culture of inclusion at Binghamton University. I continue to be excited about the possibilities that will continue to unfold as we travel on our road to premier with our Road Map to guide us.”
Read more about the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion online.
