Dr. Gregory J. Vincent Leaving UT-Austin For President's Role At Hobart And William Smith Colleges

AUSTIN, TX — Dr. Gregory J. Vincent, vice president for diversity and community engagement at The University of Texas at Austin, has accepted the job of president of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, officials said Thursday.

Vincent will officially step down from his current role at UT-Austin on July 16 to assume his new role at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York, which is his alma mater, university officials said.

UT-Austin President Gregory L. Fenves issued a prepared statement alerting to Vincent's imminent departure.

"Though it is very difficult to see such an accomplished leader depart our university, I know that Dr. Vincent will flourish in his new role and continue to transform the lives of students — just as he has done for so many years at UT," Fenves said.

The president credited Vincent for helping to promote inclusion throughout the course of his 11-year tenure at UT-Austin: "At UT, Dr. Vincent was the first person to serve as vice president for diversity and community engagement. Over the course of his 11 years as VP, he elevated our university’s commitment to inclusion in many ways, by implementing substantive programs and initiatives, improving our engagement with communities throughout the state and serving as a champion for the rights, beliefs and perspectives of all UT students, faculty members and staff members."

Fenves credited Vincent with developing innovative approaches to recruit and support diverse faculty members and graduate students. Moreover, Vincent strengthened academic support for students of color, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and first-generation college students, Fenves said.

"And last month, with Dr. Vincent leading the effort, UT released the University Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, which serves as a blueprint for how we can continue to create a more equitable and inclusive experience for students, faculty members and staff members of all backgrounds."

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The University Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan Fenves referenced in his prepared statement was recently released at the end of March. Crafting the plan was a six-month undertaking by Vincent, Maurie McInnis, executive vice president and provost, and Soncia Reagins-Lilly, vice president for student affairs. In creating the plan, the three sought input from stakeholders across the university, including Student Government representatives. The plan also includes goals for assessment and accountability toward creating a more inclusive campus.

In the same vein, Fenves recalled joining Vincent before the U.S. Supreme Court after the oral arguments in the Fisher v. University of Texas case ruling that strict scrutiny should be applied to determine the constitutionality of a race-sensitive admissions policy.

"One of the most powerful memories I have from our time working together was of walking beside Dr. Vincent on the front steps of the U.S. Supreme Court after the oral arguments in the Fisher v. University of Texas case in 2015," Fenves recalled. "Dr. Vincent was central to UT’s successful effort to uphold the use of race and ethnicity as part of our admissions process, and we walked out of the court that day, together, proud that we had made the argument in support of the educational benefits of diversity.

"When the court later ruled in our favor, it was a victory for UT and a victory for students across the nation. Dr. Gregory Vincent helped make it possible."

>>> Photo of Dr. Gregory Vincent courtesy of University of Texas at Austin