Oklahoma City University has named Talia Carroll, Ph.D., vice president for diversity and inclusion, President Martha Burger announced today. Carroll will begin her work at OCU on June 1.
With over a decade of experience across numerous functional areas, Carroll has dedicated much of her career to improving the academic and social support offered to historically marginalized and underserved populations, with special attention devoted to enhancing campus climates and experiences for all students, faculty and staff.
At OCU, Carroll will guide, develop, enhance and implement diversity and inclusion programming, training and other initiatives. She will also identify and build new community engagement opportunities.
“I look forward to Dr. Carroll’s work with our students, faculty, staff and community as we actively expand our diversity and inclusion initiatives,” President Burger said. “Her extensive experience and example of servant leadership will add to OCU’s strengths.”
Carroll currently serves as the director of the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center and an adjunct faculty member in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership program at the University of Northern Colorado. In her director role, she leads and works collaboratively with campus partners to offer strategic support to students. She acts as a consultant for faculty and staff in addressing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across campus. Carroll also co-leads the Interfaith Engagement Committee at UNC, which has been featured by Interfaith Youth Core, a national leader in interfaith cooperation.
“After being on campus, it became clear to me that there is a true commitment to diversity and inclusion at OCU and I am eager to work with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners to strategically situate OCU as one of the leaders of D&I efforts across higher education institutions in the state of Oklahoma. To return home to engage in this important work excites me,” Carroll said.
Carroll’s scholarship, research interests, and practice reflect her deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and leadership. This month she presented at the American Colleges and Universities Diversity, Equity, and Student Success conference, highlighting the importance of equity-minded syllabi as artifacts to support students in the classroom. She is a member of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education – NASPA and the Association for the Study of Higher Education. She earned a B.A. in English and a M.Ed. in adult and higher education from the University of Oklahoma, and a Ph.D.in higher education from The Pennsylvania State University.
