Carl Darnell has been named the Interim Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the School of Education.

The position, effective for one year starting July 1, is the first of its kind at the school and one of many steps the school continues to take to increase diversity amongst faculty, staff and students.

“I hope to further develop some of the diversity efforts and programs that currently exist in the School of Education, provide support for the initiatives that faculty have already begun and staff have already begun, provide oversight and my full support for the faculty diversity plan and to help our underrepresented students feel a stronger sense of belonging by impacting the culture in the School of Education and the classes,” Darnell said.

Darnell hopes to connect student organizations with current programs being offered at the school and increase communication between faculty and students. Ultimately, he says a simple conversation can lead to change around the school.

“Just go talk to somebody that you normally don’t talk to. That’s what I want to push,” Darnell said. “If we have people (doing that), I think it’s really going to have an impact on the culture here.”

Darnell is currently the Director of the Balfour Scholars Program, a position that he will continue to hold.