Dr. Joya Crear named acting vice president for inclusive excellence

Dr. Joya Crear, assistant vice president for student affairs, has been named acting vice president for inclusive excellence in the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, Provost Kimo Ah Yun announced today. Crear will start in her new role on Sept. 1, following Dr. William Welburn’s retirement.

Crear, who joined Marquette in August 2017, helps lead the Division of Student Affairs’ work in community service, diversity, assessment, leadership development and mission integration. She has received the 2019 JASPA Outstanding Commitment to Diversity and Social Justice Award and Marquette’s Difference Maker Award for her work developing the RISE program, an orientation for multicultural and underrepresented students.

“Dr. Crear has a successful record of helping to move Marquette University forward in its efforts to be a more diverse and welcoming place for all,” Provost Ah Yun said. “Through her leadership in the Division of Student Affairs, particularly with the RISE program, she has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to build rapport and trust with students and faculty. Dr. Crear is the ideal person to lead the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion during this transition.”

“I am honored to serve in this role for Marquette University and build upon the great work of the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion,” Crear said.

Crear has nearly 20 years’ experience in student affairs leadership, particularly in the areas of diversity and inclusion, counseling and crisis intervention, strategic planning, and student retention strategies. Prior to joining Marquette, she was the associate dean for student affairs at George Mason University. Crear holds a doctorate in counseling psychology from The Pennsylvania State University, as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Howard University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, respectively.

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