Ohio University Vice President of Student Affairs Jason Pina has been named the university’s interim chief diversity officer.
Pina will maintain his current position, and will begin serving as chief diversity officer Aug. 1, according to a university news release.
“Creating a welcoming environment for every member of the Bobcat Family is a very important priority for me and I have no doubt that Dr. Pina’s sound grasp of OHIO’s student culture will enable him to further our values of inclusivity in the months ahead as we conduct a nationwide search for our next chief diversity officer,” OU President Duane Nellis said in the release.
Pina’s new position falls under the Office for Diversity and Inclusion, which contains departments such as the LGBT Center, the Multicultural Center and the Women’s Center. Nellis said in the release Pina’s appointment will “strengthen the collaboration” between that office and the Office of Student Affairs, where Pina already works.
Pina has already begun working with Nellis and interim Executive Vice President and Provost David Descutner to transition to his new position, according to the release.
Pina said in the release he is “extremely honored” to take up the new position and looks forward to collaborating with Nellis, Descutner and the staff of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. He has worked in student affairs for more than 20 years and previously served as vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Bridgewater State University.
The university will begin its search for the next chief diversity officer during the 2017-18 academic year, according to the release.
