Special Assistant to the President on Diversity and Regents’ Task Force on Diversity Announced

Dr. Elizabeth Palacios, dean for student development in the Division of Student Life and a Baylor faculty member, has been named as the special assistant to the President on diversity. With 35 years in higher education, Dr. Palacios has been instrumental in collaborating with students, faculty, staff and the community on a variety of diversity-related advancements.

“We are delighted that Dr. Palacios has agreed to provide her expertise through this important role. We welcome her vast experience in helping our students, faculty and staff embrace the diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds that make up the fabric of our campus community,” said Judge Ken Starr, President and Chancellor of Baylor University.

While Dr. Palacios will continue her responsibilities as dean, she will begin immediately to devote a portion of her time to this additional role and will work closely with the President and the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity (PACD) as progress continues in this important area.

Timeline for the Council’s Work
The Council has spent February and March determining its framework, reviewing existing materials and best practices, and meeting with leaders from other institutions regarding their journey toward a more diverse campus community.

Currently, the PACD is soliciting input from groups and individuals all across campus, while continuing its research on best practices nationwide.

Over the summer, the Council will analyze the data gathered during the spring and identify emerging key ideas and themes.

Similar to the Pro Futuris model, in August, the PACD will provide the campus community with a preview of emerging key ideas and themes, followed this fall with a campus climate survey and additional opportunities to gather feedback and collect relevant information from the campus community.

Late in the fall semester through spring 2017, the Council will analyze and synthesize feedback and develop recommendations to be presented to the President and Executive Council.

“The Council looks forward to conducting a process through which every person who wants to share their views has the opportunity to be heard,” said PACD chair Dr. Lori Baker, who also serves as Faculty Regent and associate professor of anthropology. “We are committed to thoughtfully engaging our campus community, as well as national experts, in a dialogue guided by the Christian principles upon which this University was founded. This collaborative and active conversation will welcome the perspectives and insights of our students, faculty and staff, and will seek to identify a positive and strategic path toward the future for our University.”

Regents’ Task Force Named
On April 11, the University announced the creation of a Regents’ Task Force on Diversity, comprised of four outstanding former members of Baylor’s Board of Regents, each with distinct perspectives on the importance of diversity. Task Force members Albert Black, Ramiro Peña, Donell Teaff and Regent Emerita Sue Getterman will work to gain a better understanding of the issues and environment at Baylor and to deepen the dialogue with University administration on how to better support initiatives to increase diversity among students, faculty and staff.

“The Board of Regents is incredibly grateful to these former Regents for their willingness to commit their time to better understanding the campus conversations about diversity and inclusiveness,” said Richard Willis, chair of the Baylor Board of Regents. “The work of this group will help the Board learn more about ways we can support the administration and offer resources that move Baylor forward.”