The University of Rochester has hired a vice president who will have a focus on equity and inclusion to address what the interim president calls the university’s challenges related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Starting July 1, Mercedes Ramírez Fernández will be the university’s first vice president for equity and inclusion. She will lead the university’s new Office of Equity and Inclusion, which will create a diversity strategic plan and look for ways to create a welcoming and inclusive environment at UR.
“I am confident Mercedes Ramírez Fernández is the right person to lead these efforts and our new central office dedicated to building meaningful progress in these areas,” interim University President Richard Feldman said in a statement.
Fernández will report to new UR President Sarah Manglesdorf, who starts this summer. Manglesdorf worked with Fernández at the University of Illinois and was involved in hiring Fernández.
“I know she will bring passion, experience, and dedication to the important work of creating the new Office of Equity and Inclusion,” Manglesdorf said.
Fernández comes from Virginia Tech, where she is associate vice provost for strategic affairs and diversity.