Inclusive Excellence Update

Dear Colleagues:
 
The passage of Senate Bill 17 in the most recent legislative session has led all Texas public universities to examine how they handle their work, structure, and processes around diversity, equity, and inclusion. That said, our leadership team had already been considering ways to improve how we approach serving our diverse student body, faculty, and staff even before the most recent legislative session. 

Historically, the responsibility for this work was spread across several units including Academic Affairs, Student Affairs (now Student Success), Equity and Access, and Human Resources. In June of 2020, most of these teams were brought together as one unit in the former Division of University Administration. In June of 2022, the university created the Division of Inclusive Excellence (IE),and Dr. Gigi Secuban assumed the role as its inaugural Vice President.

Since arriving, Dr. Secuban has evaluated the organizational structure of Inclusive Excellence in order to eliminate duplication and to improve services. In November 2022, for example, she identified opportunities to serve our faculty and staff more efficiently by moving Talent Acquisition back to Human Resources. This organizational change left student success initiatives and our federally funded TRIO programs in the Division of Inclusive Excellence. 

As part of TXST’s ongoing efforts to best serve our students, and in light of the factors stated above, I have decided to dissolve the Division of Inclusive Excellence effective August 1, 2023. The division’s work directly supporting student success initiatives will now be accomplished through the Division of Student Success. Current IE employees working in support of student success initiatives have the opportunity to be reassigned to new positions in the Division of Student Success. Employees in the federally funded TRIO programs will move to the College of Education to continue serving primarily pre-college students from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

I am pleased that Dr. Secuban will play a key role in leading this transition before becoming Senior Advisor to the President focusing on community outreach and presidential initiatives. I want to thank her for helping us navigate this change in a manner that keeps us focused on supporting our students, faculty, and staff.

I believe these changes will allow us to continue to honor our history and unique identity by enrolling and graduating a diverse student body, creating a welcoming university community, and providing a rich student experience that will prepare Bobcats for life and success during their time at TXST and beyond.

Sincerely,
 
 
Kelly Damphousse, Ph.D.
President