By Laken Franchetti, Assistant News Editor
An email was sent out to the campus community from President Bob Iuliano on Wednesday, Feb. 17 addressing the departure of Interim Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) Dr. Carlos Tasso Eira Aquino.
During his time at Gettysburg College, Dr. Aquino advanced several priorities and worked closely with the Campus Climate Study Implementation Group. An upcoming survey is to be released by this group to assist the college’s future diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Dr. Kafele Khalfani, Vice President of Student Experience and Chief Student Affairs Officer at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), will partner with Gettysburg College to continue to make DEI progress in Dr. Aquino’s absence. Dr. Khalfani will serve part-time at the college and act as a member of the President’s Council, where he will serve as a substitute for the CDO position.
Three specific DEI priorities will be advanced during Dr. Khalfani’s partnership with the college: create plans for the President’s Council on employee anti-bias and anti-racism training, develop research practices for trauma-informed bias incident awareness response, and discover systems to better support faculty and staff from underrepresented groups. The work and changes recommended during this spring semester will be implemented for the 2022–23 academic year.
Bruce Gordon ’68, trustee emeritus and former head of the NAACP, was thanked for acting as a resource to President Iuliano during this interim period.
A national search for a new CDO is underway. WittKiefer, a highly regarded executive search firm for higher education, is partnering with the college in the search for the CDO. The college’s own search committee is composed of Gettysburg students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
President Iuliano said, “At such an important time in our College’s history—a moment when we are working to strengthen our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the community—I am deeply grateful that we will benefit from the wisdom and experience of Dr. Khalfani and Mr. Gordon. Together, I know we can create an inclusive and supportive learning environment in which every Gettysburgian can be their authentic self and do their best work. Thank you to all who continue to work resolutely in support of this vision.”
