LI College Names First VP Of Diversity, Inclusion

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — Molloy College has its first Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

The school named Donald "DJ" Mitchell Jr. to the role, effective Feb. 1.

Mitchell, who has a Ph.D., comes to Molloy from Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY as the chief DEI officer. Mitchell was a key advisor to the president and cabinet regarding university-wide diversity initiatives.

At Molloy, he will report to President James Lentini and will be a member of the president's cabinet, the college's senior leadership team.

"He has a proven track record in managing DEI issues – in collaboration with students, staff and faculty, as well as with external partners – to achieve that goal. Bellarmine is also a Catholic university, which shares the values and philosophy that drive Molloy," Lentini said in a statement.

Mitchell holds his Ph.D. in educational policy and administration with a concentration in higher education from the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities.

"At each stage of the search process, the college’s strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion became more evident. I look forward to what we—the Molloy community—will accomplish together," Mitchell said.