Please join us for an open house and reception to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of Dr. Vernese Edghill-Walden, NIU vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and chief diversity officer. Dr. Edghill-Walden has accepted a position as vice president for Equity and Inclusive Excellence at her undergraduate alma mater, Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Edghill-Walden has been a part of the Huskie family for the past eight years and has worked tirelessly to advance NIU’s mission, vision and values. In 2015, Dr. Edghill-Walden was hired as NIU’s first chief diversity officer and senior associate vice president for Academic Diversity. In 2020, she was appointed the vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, while serving as the interim chief human resource officer (2020-2021). Dr. Edghill-Walden’s contributions span the breadth of the university as demonstrated by being a leader in developing strategies to improve student success, advancing DEI, social justice and belonging, and the 2022 Budget Planning Workgroup, advisor to the President and Provost, engaged member of the DeKalb community and colleague ready to mentor faculty, students and staff alike. NIU is a better place for the service and dedication of Dr. Edghill-Walden, and we are delighted to celebrate with her as she transitions to her next role.

The event will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 19 at the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, Ballroom, with refreshments and a cash bar available.