Michigan State University has selected Jabbar Bennett of Northwestern University to serve as vice president and chief diversity officer at MSU.
Bennett has served as Northwestern’s first associate provost and chief diversity officer since 2015. In a press release, MSU president Samuel Stanley Jr. says the job Bennett moves into has “never been more important.”
In launching the search in January, MSU said the new VP would work with senior executives, deans, faculty, staff and students to develop and implement a comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion plan. Bennett will report directly to President Stanley.
A national search drew more than 70 candidates, but MSU paused the effort for about five weeks due to the the coronavirus pandemic. Resumed remotely, the university interviewed four finalists for the position.
If approved by the MSU board of trustees next month, Bennett would start December 1st.