Equity Office Announces New Staff

WACO, Texas (Nov. 6, 2019) – Baylor University released the following news today about staff hires in the University’s Equity Office:

“A key component of Baylor’s Christian mission and the Equity Office is that we provide a caring community for our students, faculty and staff, as well as visitors to our campus. I am pleased to announce that the role of Title IX Coordinator Laura Johnson, Ph.D., has been expanded, as she will now also serve as the University’s Associate Vice President for Equity and Title IX Coordinator. Additionally, we have increased the staff of the Equity Office with the hiring of Brice Yates as Assistant Vice President for Equity. Both will begin their new roles at Baylor on Dec. 9.

“Established more than a year ago, the Equity Office handles matters concerning equal opportunity, affirmative action, civil rights and related training in these areas. Dr. Johnson and Mr. Yates will lead the current Equity Office staff of Shirl Brown, Manager of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, and Brittney Wardlaw, J.D., Manager of Equity and Civil Rights. The new leadership in the Equity Office will also oversee and direct the work of the President’s Diversity Council and report to me in my role within the President’s Office.

“Dr. Johnson became Baylor’s Title IX Coordinator in June 2018 following an extensive career in student life at other institutions, including serving as Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, as well as Title IX Coordinator, at Georgetown (Ky.) College. In addition to the daily oversight and direction of Title IX staff, policies and processes, she has revised the University’s practices to increase support and care for individuals involved in the Title IX process, while also growing partnerships across campus.

“Mr. Yates comes to Baylor from Indiana State University, where he has served as the Interim Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence since October 2018. He previously was Director of the Charles E. Brown African American Cultural Center at Indiana State and has held related positions at the University of Central Florida and Morehead State University. Mr. Yates is nearing completion of a doctorate degree in diversity issues from Indiana State.

“I appreciate the many campus partners who were involved in the interview process and assisted in the search for these important positions for the Equity Office and University overall. More than 30 members of the Baylor Family had an opportunity to interact with the candidate pool and these two excellent candidates.

“We look forward to the continued work of the Equity Office supporting students, faculty and staff as part of Baylor’s Christian mission as we provide an equitable, fair and respectful educational environment for all.”

Sincerely,
Robyn Driskell, Ph.D.
Vice President for Internal Administration & Compliance
Chief of Staff to the President
Professor of Sociology

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.