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Re-Envisioning ODI

Recent updates

May 28, 2025: ODI Re-envisioning Steering Committee

May 15, 2025: Re-envisioning Inclusive Excellence at Wake Forest

Vice President Villalba’s Message to the Wake Forest Community

Dear Wake Forest students, staff, and faculty,

Wake Forest University will be taking essential steps this summer to re-envision how we promote connections across our campus community, broaden our approach to inclusive excellence, and strive for intentional belonging. With the end of the academic year comes an opportunity for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) to direct its efforts towards evaluating our institutional support and engagement for all Wake Foresters. 

Throughout this semester, ODI has examined and assessed the programs and opportunities that it provides. This work has occurred in collaboration with key partners in Human Resources, Campus Life and the Provost’s Office. Over the coming summer months, I will lead a collaborative effort to consider the best ways to support all of our students, staff, and faculty. This re-envisioning process, as well as the timing of this announcement, coincides with our need to communicate our clear commitment and assurance that university actions and decisions are in compliance with federal laws and guidelines. This re-envisioning will also include reviewing paused R.I.D.E. plans, as well as our mission for sustaining community and belonging. I am grateful to President Wente, Provost Gillespie, and the University Cabinet for their ongoing support of this critical work.

Some of this work has already begun, and the remainder will be accomplished in phases over the next few months. In August, I will share with you how Wake Forest will structure activities and programs to ensure that all students, staff, and faculty are empowered to engage with the abundance of opportunities this University has to offer.

Our goal has always been to help everyone feel like they belong at Wake Forest. Re-envisioning how we fulfill this promise is an opportunity to design a model that continues to support every Wake Forester’s desire to contribute meaningfully to our shared community. 

More information is available in this video. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

José A. Villalba, Ph.D.

Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Chief Diversity Officer

Steering Committee

The members of the steering committee include:

  • Matt Clifford, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
  • Mary Lucal, Vice President and Chief HR Officer
  • Malika Roman Isler, Associate Vice President
  • Erica Still, Associate Dean of the College
  • José Villalba, Vice President and CDO

José Villalba describes how Wake Forest will be taking steps this summer to re-envision how it promotes connections across the campus community, broadens the approach to inclusive excellence, and strives for intentional belonging.