Six faculty members from the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus have been named University Professors of Diversity and Social Transformation.
The Chair recognizes and rewards senior faculty members for their outstanding contributions to excellence through their commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through their scholarship, teaching, service, and engagement.
The Board of Regents approved the nominations of Roy Clarke, Elizabeth R. Cole, Erica E. Marsh, Barbra A. Meek, Rogerio M. Pinto and Sara A. Pozzi at its July 21 meeting in northern Michigan. The appointments take effect August 29.
“These colleagues are nationally and internationally recognized scholars who are committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion through their research, teaching and service,” said Laurie McCauley, provost and Executive Vice President for University Affairs.
“Their service and commitment has provided greater access and opportunity to the UM community and beyond.”
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and jointly administered by the National Center for Institutional Diversity and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, 19 UM faculty members have been named recipients since inception of the chair in 2019.
Each recipient was nominated by a UM Dean and recommended to the Provost by a faculty committee for further consideration.
“This year’s nominations for diversity and social transformation are a demonstration of exceptional character, leadership and commitment,” said Robert Sellers, vice president of equity and inclusion and director of diversity. “Throughout their years of teaching and research, this cohort represents the very best in bringing about impactful and lasting change within our university and across the world.”
They will retain this title throughout their appointment at UM and will receive an annual stipend of $20,000 for their first five years as a UDST professor to support their academic and professional work. They will also receive special faculty member status at NCID and spend at least one semester as a faculty member in residence.
Similar to other chairs at UM, such as the Arthur F. Thurnau, Collegiate, and Distinguished University Chairs, the University Chair in Diversity and Social Transformation is reserved only for the highest level of achievement.
About recipients
Roy Clark is Marcellus L. Wiedenbeck Collegiate Professor of Physics and Professor of Physics at LSA. It is widely recognized as a visionary for its integration into the interdisciplinary Applied Physics curriculum and as a support and mentorship structure that promotes student inclusion and attracts female students and underrepresented minorities to the field of physics.
Elizabeth R.Cole is a professor of women’s and gender studies, psychology, and African American and African studies at LSA, and was named director of the National Center for Institutional Diversity in June. She provided profound evidence for the value of considering individuals’ multiple important social positions (gender, race, sexual orientation, ability status, etc.) in psychology.
Erica E. Marsh is S. Jan Behrman Collegiate Professor of Reproductive Medicine and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical School; and Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies at LSA. Marsh’s work combines her expertise in reproductive endocrinology and infertility with her commitment to fair and equitable health care to raise awareness about addressing health care disparities, inequities and biases in medicine and beyond.
Barbra A. Meek is professor of anthropology, linguistics and American culture at LSA. Meek’s current research and teaching focuses on the representations and performance of linguistic differences in the management of social inequalities.
Rogerio M. Pinto is the Berit Ingersoll-Dayton Collegiate Chair of Social Work, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, and Professor of Social Work in the School of Social Work; and professor of theater and drama at the School of Music, Theater and Dance. Pinto is a leader in research aimed at helping health care providers develop networks of care to alleviate barriers and facilitate access to health services for underserved, racially, ethnically and sexually minority populations.
Sara A. Pozzi is a professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences at the College of Engineering; and professor of physics at LSA. Pozzi is an internationally renowned researcher in the field of nuclear detection, who has built one of the most successful research groups in the field and is a tireless advocate for institutional transformation to achieve greater diversity, equity and inclusion.