Rev. Craig Pridgen, a member of the Niagara University Board of Trustees, the Rev. James J. Maher, president of Niagara University, and Lisbet Arias, a senior sociology student, welcomed Dr. Tamra Minor as the inaugural vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Nov. 8 at an event at the university’s Castellani Art Museum.

Tamra Minor, Ph.D., a collaborative and visionary leader with extensive education, expertise, and experience in promoting diversity in higher education, was introduced as Niagara University’s inaugural vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion during an event at the university’s Castellani Art Museum on Nov. 8. The position was established at the recommendation of the university’s Identifying and Dismantling Racial Injustice Task Force and will be essential in providing leadership as the university advances its campus equity and inclusion efforts, initiatives, and functions. She began her role at the university on Sept.13.

Watch a video recap of the university event. 

“Dr. Minor distinguished herself, not only because of her talent and incredible work experience, but because of her clearly demonstrated commitment to our Catholic and Vincentian mission as a framework for what must be done to elevate our strategy for diversity and equity,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. “The addition of Dr. Minor to Niagara University is critically important as we continue to develop a community committed to inclusive excellence.”

Dr. Minor comes to Niagara from the University of Albany, where she has worked since 2007. She served in a number of positions, including chief diversity officer and assistant vice president for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. In that role, she was integral in determining the vision and definition for diversity efforts, and drove a systematic method and structure to establish common goals, benchmarks, and metrics for this work. Dr. Minor has also served as the associate vice chancellor for institutional diversity at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and as the human resources director, organizational development, in the Columbus Public School District. She began her career at Ohio State University.

In addition to her professional work, Dr. Minor has also been a member of the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity Conference Planning Committee, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She served as a board member for Girls Incorporated, Trinity Alliance, and the Center for Law and Justice.

“I am excited to join Niagara University as the inaugural vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” said Dr. Minor. “I look forward to working with the leadership, faculty, staff, students, and the external Niagara community to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into all that happens at Niagara University.

“Hearing Father Maher’s vision for the university, which included addressing issues of poverty in Niagara Falls, is what made this the place I want to be,” she continued. “The thought of working collaboratively with the campus and the Niagara community to have the type of impact that would transform the lives of Niagara University’s students, faculty, staff, and the community, in particular the poor, will be rewarding. I am also excited about the opportunity to help the institution realize its Vincentian Catholic mission, and I am honored to serve in this new capacity.”