Matthew Chaney, Ed.D. | Photo by Ferris State University
Appointed as Wright State University's (WSU) Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, Dr. Matthew Chaney hopes to unite diversity efforts on campus.
The new position
The new Division of Inclusive Excellence and, by extension, Dr. Chaney oversees all diversity and inclusion affairs on campus, including the Cultural and Identity Centers. The new office stems from the university's goal of uniting the centers and fostering a culturally competent environment on campus.
Chaney replaces the former chief diversity officer, Lindsay Miller, who left the university in June 2020.
Experience
Chaney received his doctorate in education and holds over 25 years of experience in diversity and inclusion work. Most recently serving as the Director of Multicultural Student Services at Ferris State University.
In addition to his leadership and inclusive experience, the new vice president also possesses empathy for issues of racism and social justice.
“As a black man living in this world we’re living in, I too probably share some of the concerns of our students, faculty and staff as it relates to social justice,” Chaney said.
Uniting forces
Starting work on his goals, the new administrator first wants to thoroughly understand the unique social issues, relations, and campus environment of WSU before creating a plan of action on how to address these topics.
“I want to hit the ground learning…learn the things we [WSU] do very well and the areas where we are weak,” Chaney said.
Working on this goal, the eager leader plans to meet with campus organizations, faculty, students and staff to discuss inclusion goals. Organizations like the Black Student Union welcome this additional support.
“A personal goal I have is to support and strengthen the non-coordinating black [organizations] on Wright State’s campus,” Arionna Wooden, newly elected president of the Black Student Union, wrote. “Meeting Dr. Chaney provided the opportunity to do just that. He also gave me some good ideas that are going to be quite useful this upcoming year.”
He also works with non-identity student organizations, including the Student Government Association.
Goals for the new office
According to Chaney, the leader hopes to set WSU as a positive example of inclusive excellence, locally and nationally.
Still new to the university, Chaney has yet to lay out exact plans to meet his goals. The new Inclusive Excellence division and the Culture and Identity Centers will hash out these plans before Fall Semester 2021.
