Monday, Mar 14, 2022
University continues to lead in diversity, equity and inclusion
by Katie Nicholas
Rider University has been named a Most Promising Place to Work in Student Affairs by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and the American College Personnel Association for the second straight year.
This is a national recognition that celebrates student affairs workplaces that are vibrant, diverse, supportive and committed to staff work-life balance, professional development and inclusive excellence.
“I am extremely proud of the diverse and talented Rider University student affairs team, who, even when faced with significant pressures, lead with optimism, work ethic, creativity and unmatched commitment to students, especially those with marginalized identities,” says Dr. Leanna Fenneberg, vice president for student affairs.
One of only 16 institutions in the nation — and one of just two in New Jersey — to receive the honor, Rider has a deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2019, Rider launched its Inclusive Excellence Plan, defining explicit goals around institutional inclusion. The plan, in alignment with the University's strategic plan, is committed to an inclusive, vibrant living and learning community that embraces students, faculty and staff of all backgrounds and enables them to achieve success. It also emphasizes being an employer of choice.
The university’s Division of Student Affairs aspires to uplift and support underrepresented, underresourced and marginalized students; advance multicultural understanding for all students; and contribute meaningfully to institutional issues that promote equity and inclusion.
In addition to hiring Barbara J. Lawrence as its first-ever vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion last September, Rider has also been recognized as a First-gen Forward Institution and received four out of five stars on the Campus Pride Index — a national listing of LGBTQ+ friendly colleges and universities.
The full report of the 2022 Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs was published in the March 3, 2022, edition of Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. Diverse is a bi-weekly newsmagazine focusing on matters of access, diversity, inclusion and opportunity for all in higher education.
