Clark University appoints Margo R. Foreman as vice president and chief officer of diversity, equity, and inclusion

Today, Clark University President David Fithian ’87 announced the appointment of Margo R. Foreman, MPH, as vice president and chief officer of diversity, equity, and inclusion (CODEI). She will assume the role on October 15, 2021.

Read President Fithian’s full announcement »

As a member of the senior leadership team, Foreman will oversee or support Clark’s wide-ranging set of programs and initiatives in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As a key advisor to President Fithian and others, she will provide direction and oversight of institutional priorities and strategic planning to strengthen the University’s community, culture, and climate. She will partner with faculty, staff, and administrators to develop additional programming, expand community dialogue, enhance training, and advise on curriculum development. She also will co-chair with President Fithian Clark’s University Diversity Action Council.

“Margo brings to Clark more than 20 years of experience in inspiring and propelling forward DEI programs in higher education,” David Fithian said. “She is a strategic thinker, an empathic DEI practitioner, and an exceptionally close listener who brings together disparate perspectives grounded in mutual respect. All of those talents combined will make a tremendous difference for Clark as we work to be a more just, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming institution.”

Foreman currently is interim vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion and assistant vice president for diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity at Iowa State University. At Iowa State and previously at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Margo directed Title IX and ADA compliance and workforce diversity and equal employment opportunity programs. She is an active member of the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education and the American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity (AAAED), which is the longest-serving association of professionals in related fields. Next month, she will receive the President’s Award for Excellence and Service from the AAAED for outstanding leadership, commitment, and impact.

“Clark University is at an important juncture. Under President Fithian’s leadership and a shared community commitment to DEI, there is unlimited potential to make great progress,” said Foreman. “I am energized to build bridges with all of the citizens of Clark and to work together to make the University a place where every student and every member of the faculty and staff can flourish.”

Foreman is working toward her doctorate in education leadership in higher education from the American College of Education. She earned her master in public health degree from Indiana University and her bachelor of science degree in social behavior science from IUPUI.