Inaugural Chief Diversity Officer Selected

Dear Niner Nation,

I am excited to share with you that Dr. Brandon L. Wolfe will join UNC Charlotte on Nov. 1, 2021, as the University’s inaugural associate vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer (CDO).

I want to thank the committee members who led this national search and all of you who participated in the campus visits for the three finalists.

Brandon comes to us from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he has served as assistant vice president for campus and community engagement in the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion since 2016. You can learn more about him in today’s upcoming Niner Insider.

Throughout the search process, Brandon distinguished himself as a passionate leader and scholar whose demonstrated expertise and cogent knowledge of DEI strategies would enable him to lead the important work of creating and sustaining a climate of transparency, inclusive excellence and equity across all dimensions of our University.

I also want to thank Dr. Cheryl Waites Spellman for helping guide our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts since she agreed to serve as interim special assistant to the chancellor for diversity and inclusion in September 2020. She has helped position our University to make great gains in this area, including creating the first Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and we are grateful for her contributions.

Brandon will report directly to me and serve on my Cabinet. In his role, he will coordinate with staff, faculty and students to build on the University’s diversity and inclusion efforts to create an accessible, inclusive and equitable climate, as well as identify and address potential barriers and institutional systems that may foster systemic inequalities. His role will be pivotal as we launch our new strategic plan, “Shaping What’s Next,” and our related diversity and inclusion plan.

To be a leader in our region, we must also be a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion. At UNC Charlotte, we are committed to continuing to foster an environment where all students, faculty and staff feel seen, respected and valued for their unique contributions. I am confident in Brandon’s vision, and I look forward to working with him, and all of you, on this important work.

Please join me in welcoming him to our community!

Sincerely,

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor