August 4, 2022
In an interim capacity, James C. Wimbush will serve as the Indiana University Bloomington vice provost for diversity and inclusion during the 2022-2023 academic year. He takes on the interim position in addition to his existing duties as IU vice president for diversity, equity, and multicultural affairs and Johnson Chair for Diversity and Leadership.
“I cannot thank James enough for agreeing to guide our campus in this crucial area for the upcoming academic year,” said Provost and Executive Vice President Rahul Shrivastav. “His experience at IU, understanding of campus operations, and nuanced understanding of DEI issues at every level put us in a great position to step back and determine how to move forward.”
The vice provost for diversity and inclusion, John Nieto-Phillips, who began the role in 2017, recently announced his return to the College of Arts and Sciences as associate professor in the departments of history and Latino Studies.
Shrivastav expressed gratitude to Nieto-Phillips for his many years of leadership. “John has been a true catalyst for expanded DEI efforts at IU Bloomington,” Shrivastav said.“The systems of analysis and reporting he initiated with each of our schools continue to support and inform our collective campus efforts. His work has laid a foundation that will positively impact faculty, staff, and students for years to come.”
As vice provost, Nieto-Phillips implemented multiple DEI initiatives on the Bloomington campus. He worked with schools to launch (or enhance existing) diversity plans and strategies and prepare school-specific annual DEI reports. Nieto-Phillips led and organized programs, workshops, and dialogue sessions to advance a sense of community and belonging and, in collaboration with Vice Provost Eliza Pavalko, conducted faculty hiring workshops on best practices for diverse hiring.
Now, at least one member of each tenure-track hiring committee is required to take part in the fall faculty hiring workshops, which have averaged 140 attendees each year since 2017. Since 2015, the campus has doubled underrepresented minority tenure-track hires. “I am proud to be part of a public institution whose mission serves our increasingly diverse state and nation,” Nieto-Phillips said. “As I leave administration and return to my research, I am proud of what we accomplished together and am looking forward to seeing what comes next. This work is crucial and impacts our campus and our world.”
During Nieto-Phillips’ 2021-2022 academic year sabbatical, Lemuel W. Watson served as acting vice provost. In addition to continuing the important work of the office, Watson launched a campuswide collective of IU Bloomington DEI professionals to help strengthen relationships and collaboration and worked with schools on adding social justice components to their annual diversity reports. “I truly appreciate Lem Watson for his wonderful work this past year,” Shrivastav said. “His deep understanding of DEI in all aspects of life has helped further the conversation for all of us."
While serving as interim vice provost, Wimbush will guide Bloomington-based diversity efforts housed within the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion. University-wide DEI efforts will continue to be led by Wimbush in his existing capacity as vice president.
