Hakeem Leonard
Assistant Provost for Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
Dr. Leonard’s position in academic affairs is focused on defining, assessing, strategizing, and implementing inclusive excellence as central to the Shenandoah’s mission. He is interested in processes, practices, and policies that make a real and sustainable impact throughout the institution and with schools, divisions, programs, and departments. The areas of the work surround initiatives of recruitment, retention, and success of diverse faculty and staff, support for faculty development, working to support and collaborate with faculty and teaching staff for transformative learning, and collaborating across the university to support student success, engagement, and belonging.
It is going to take us all working together for transformation. The unexamined impacts of racism and oppression cannot stand here. We are not unique in that racism and oppression are everywhere, but we want to be accountable in the way we acknowledge, listen and learn, commit and collaborate, and follow through with sustained action."
Dahlia Ashford
Assistant Dean of Students for Inclusion, Diversity, & Leadership
Dahlia Ashford provides leadership in the areas of student conduct, The Mosaic Center for Diversity, and the [Not Just] Women’s Center. She is responsible for implementing diversity initiatives that enhance retention and persistence through to graduation, as well as life skills development for underrepresented students.
My goals are to develop relationships within the Shenandoah community that will prove beneficial to our students. I plan to increase the retention efforts for our underrepresented populations. Our students need us more than ever, and I hope that Shenandoah University proves to be a place where students can flourish and become productive global citizens.”
DeShon Foxx
Assistant Vice President and Athletic Director
Foxx has a leadership role with the department's RED (racial equity and diversity) team. DeShon is responsible for athletic educational programming and leading collaborative efforts across campus. He provides resources for underrepresented students in order to encourage their holistic development and the acquisition of life skills.
I look forward to collaborating with everyone on campus in an effort to further the success of the students at Shenandoah University as well as being a part of the continuing holistic development of the community."
Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity News
Series Introduces Shenandoah Students To Arab Culture Ahead Of Collaboration With Jordanian Partners
Shenandoah University’s first-year students were given a quick lesson on Arab culture in advance of spending the rest of the Fall 2024 semester collaborating virtually with peers from Yarmouk University in Jordan. From Sept. 16-19, Shenandoah’s ... Continue Reading Series Introduces Shenandoah Students To…
Shenandoah Preparing Students For Virtual Exchange Opportunity With Intro To Arab Culture Series
In May, the Stevens Initiative announced that Shenandoah University was one of 11 recipients to receive funding for a virtual exchange program that connects young people in the United States and the Middle East and North Africa. To prepare its ... Continue Reading Shenandoah Preparing Students For Virtual…
Dance Project Co-commissioned by Shenandoah Conservatory Awarded NPN Grant
A new dance project co-commissioned by Shenandoah Conservatory was awarded a grant by the National Performance Network (NPN). NPN's 2024 Creation Fund will support the development of “Roots of Loving Us,” a collaborative, evening-length choreographic ... Continue Reading Dance Project Co-commissioned by Shenandoah…