Kirksey named interim head of Institutional Diversity at OSU
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Associate Professor Jason F. Kirksey
Kirksey, who is the Hannah D. Atkins Endowed Chair for Political Science and Government Information at OSU, will continue in his teaching role. He also is director of the OSU Center for Africana Studies and Development.
“I want to thank the search committee for finding an excellent candidate to hold this important position as we conduct a national search,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “Jason is uniquely qualified to hold this position and I appreciate his willingness to assume this additional assignment while continuing to teach.”
Kirksey will report to Hargis in his role as interim associate VP. Hargis said OSU will begin the search immediately for a fulltime leader of Institutional Diversity.
“I am honored that President Hargis has selected me to represent and serve the university in this capacity,” Kirksey said. “Institutional Diversity plays a vital role in maintaining and furthering a welcoming and inclusive university environment for all. I look forward to the challenge of providing leadership in such an important area and I am excited to begin working with the faculty and the Institutional Diversity staff until a permanent replacement is hired.”
Kirksey earned undergraduate degrees from OSU in economics and political science and his master’s in political science from OSU. He received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of New Orleans. He became an assistant professor at OSU in 1995.
OSU has implemented a number of innovative programs and made important strides in its diversity efforts. The university places great value on the differences of its people and seeks to empower individuals to think and act in ways that will embrace and promote a more inclusive world.