Thanking Melanie F. Hart, Senior Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice and Chief Diversity Officer
A Message from Dr. Donna E. Shalala, Interim President
I write to share the news that Senior Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice and Chief Diversity Officer Melanie F. Hart has decided that she will be concluding her service to The New School next month. Her last day will be February 20th.
Melanie has been committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and social justice (EISJ) at The New School for nearly six years. She began in 2018 as Director of Social Justice Initiatives. In that role, she helped to guide The New School’s first comprehensive campus climate assessment. That study provided a foundation for the development of priorities, efforts, and approaches toward becoming a more inclusive university. In 2019, she took on the role of Vice President for Institutional Strategy for Social Justice.
Melanie took on greater leadership responsibilities in 2020 when she was appointed to serve as Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer. In this role, she has been a valued member of the university’s executive leadership team, providing strategy, input, and counsel on a wide range of issues and working to ensure that EISJ principles are primary considerations across planning and decision-making.
Working with many collaborators across the university, Melanie has organized and hosted programs, contributed to policy, shaped thinking about curriculum and pedagogy, led training, and facilitated dialogue—all to advance a more inclusive university. She has advised and supported the efforts of faculty, student, and staff social justice activists and allies across the university. She has also overseen the university’s Government and External Affairs work and expanded and supported the work of the faculty, staff, and student Ombuds office.
Melanie’s influence, inspiration, and ideas have made a meaningful difference at The New School. My focus as Interim President is to ensure the continuity of EISJ work underway and provide a runway for Provost White and the next President to shape the structure and leadership for this work in the future.
Please join me in extending our deep gratitude and best wishes to Melanie.