The search for vice president/associate provost for diversity, equity and inclusion has been narrowed down to four candidates.

In order for people to publicly see the candidates, the University will be hosting open forums for each of them.

WHO: The open forums will be open for students, faculty and staff. The candidates include Wanda Heating-Grant, Bryan K. Fair, Shakeer A. Abdullah and G. Christine Taylor.

The candidates were chosen by a search committee of 15 people that assisted the university and a search firm, the Desir Group.

WHAT: Each forum will have a public presentation by one of the four finalists.  

President Bell announced in Nov. 2015 that this new diversity plan would become part of the University’s Strategic Planning Council work, and that the University is beginning to assess its current initiatives.

WHERE: All the forums are held in North Lawn Hall room 1014, with the one on March 23 in room 1015.

WHEN: Wanda Heating-Grant and Bryan Fair have already had their open forums. Shakeer Abdulla will have hers on March 23, and Christine Taylor’s will be March 24. For a full schedule of times, visit their page on the University’s website.

WHY: “This inaugural position will provide visionary leadership to enable the University to build on the core principles of inclusiveness in learning environments, programs, workforce and strategic partnerships,” the University said in a statement. 

It also said the person in this position will need to establish a holistic and integrated vision. He or she needs to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students, faculty, staff, visitors and the community, regardless of cultural differences, beliefs, values, ethnicity, race, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, gender identity or religion. 

Profiles of the candidates, evaluation forms and a full description of the position can be found at https://www.ua.edu/diversitysearch/.