Nazareth College welcomes Associate Vice President for Community and Belonging Wayne Hilson Jr.
Nazareth College introduces Wayne Hilson, Jr. Ph.D., as associate vice president for community and belonging. He will oversee the Office for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Education (ODIEE) and provide leadership for the Student Access and Achievement Programs. He has more than 20 years of experience facilitating effective, equitable environments for diverse student populations. He started his new role on December 6.
“Nazareth College strongly values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and Wayne’s experience will be an important piece of engaging our campus community as we continue the impactful work of building on our commitment for an inclusive and equitable campus,” said Nazareth Vice President for Community and Belonging Lisa Durant-Jones.
Hilson has led offices, programs, and tailored initiatives in both diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and academic affairs at Purdue University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), and most recently at Cornell University where he led a centralized hub that provided academic and professional development support and resources for undergraduate students who are traditionally underrepresented and/or underserved in higher education.
“My own career trajectory from engineer to higher education administrator is unique and has served as a valuable lens through which to view the holistic, lifelong development of students from diverse backgrounds and experiences,” said Hilson.
As a scholar-practitioner, his interests include the assessment of diverse-student participation in high-impact practices as well as how these students develop, and ultimately enact, both academic/career capital and agency in higher education environments.
Hilson holds a Ph.D. in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University, and both a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.
For More Information
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer, | (585) 781-8186 | jlong2@naz.edu
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
Nazareth welcomes Wayne Hilson Jr. as the College's associate vice president for community and belonging.