Associate Diversity Officer and Executive Director of our Urban Scholars Initiative (USI) Maritsa Barros will take on the role of interim chief diversity officer, President Janet L. Steinmayer announced on July 28. Barros steps into the position vacated by Lilu Barbosa earlier this summer.
“I am not only excited but I am honored by the opportunity to step up and serve as the interim chief diversity officer as I feel I have been preparing for this role for the past 14 years that I have been in the field of higher education,” Barros said. “I could not think of a better institution to partner with in this effort of creating a truly inclusive campus environment than Lesley University. We have such great energy, potential, and an incredible community of individuals who want our environment and culture to be reflective of our hearts and mission as an institution.”
During her seven years at Lesley, Barros’s work in diversity, equity and inclusion on campus has affected every corner of campus life and experience.
She has overseen the impressive growth of USI, a program that supports the financial, academic and emotional needs of young adults, most of whom are the first in their families to attend college. She chairs the University Council and serves as an advisor to the Lesley University Diversity Council, which provides diversity and equity training for staff and students, shapes curriculum and plans events centered on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Several years ago, Barros also oversaw the launch of the Selase Williams Unity Gala, a night that recognizes outstanding champions of diversity, as well as students from the Lesley Center for the Adult Learner, the Threshold Program and others connected to Multicultural Affairs & Student Inclusion (MASI) and the Office of Diversity Equity & Inclusion.
On campus, Barros is a steady voice calling for the equal and fair treatment of all members of the community, and to that end, co-led the creation of the Bias Education & Response Team (BERT), a group of faculty, administrators and staff who address bias incidents through a restorative justice approach.
Prior to her appointment as interim chief diversity officer, this summer Barros chaired the President’s Diversity Advisory Committee, which collected perspectives from our community to guide our efforts toward a racially diverse and equitable educational experience and workplace. The committee also launched the process to search for the future position of vice president of justice, equity and transformation — an expanded and updated role that will take the place of chief diversity officer.
While that search is in progress, Barros will assume more responsibility at the cabinet level and work with MASI, which represents Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), CommonLYNX and LGBTQ+ students.