Excerpt from the Wright State Guardian
Appointed as Wright State University’s vice president for inclusive excellence, Dr. Matthew Chaney hopes to unite diversity efforts on campus.
The new Division of Inclusive Excellence and, by extension, Dr. Chaney, oversees all diversity and inclusion affairs on campus, including the Cultural and Identity Centers. The new office stems from the university’s goal of uniting the centers and fostering a culturally competent environment on campus.
Chaney replaces the former chief diversity officer, Lindsay Miller, who left the university in June 2020.
Chaney received his doctorate in education and has over 25 years of experience in diversity and inclusion work, most recently serving as the director of Multicultural Student Services at Ferris State University.
In addition to his leadership and inclusive experience, the new vice president also possesses empathy for issues of racism and social justice.
“As a black man living in this world we’re living in, I too probably share some of the concerns of our students, faculty and staff as it relates to social justice,” Chaney said.
Starting work on his goals, the new administrator first wants to thoroughly understand the unique social issues, relations, and campus environment of WSU before creating a plan of action on how to address these topics.
“I want to hit the ground learning…learn the things we [WSU] do very well and the areas where we are weak,” Chaney said.
