LaTanya Buck named dean for diversity and inclusion

By Karin Dienst, Office of Communications on April 5, 2016, 3 p.m.
LaTanya Buck

LaTanya Buck

LaTanya Buck

Photo by Michelle Wagner

LaTanya Buck, founding director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at Washington University in St. Louis, will join Princeton University in August as dean for diversity and inclusion. 

In this new position, Buck will report to W. Rochelle Calhoun, vice president for campus life. Creating the position was a key recommendation of the University's special task force on diversity, equity and inclusion, which issued its report last May recommending the hiring of a senior administrator to focus on educating and engaging the entire student body around difference and identity.  

"I am thrilled that LaTanya Buck will be joining us at Princeton," said Calhoun. "She brings not only a wealth of relevant higher education experience but also a deep and abiding passion for her work. A dedicated professional, LaTanya is perfectly suited to successfully fulfill this new role."

"I am elated to join the Princeton University community and campus life division to engage students and colleagues in diversity, inclusion and equity efforts," Buck said. "I look forward to serving in this inaugural role and collaborating with campus partners and identity-focused units to assist in creating synergy and cohesion to have a greater impact on the overall student experience. I believe that this is a very exciting time to be at Princeton University, as many diversity efforts are underway."

Buck has worked at Washington University in St. Louis since July 2014. Previously, she served as director of the Cross Cultural Center at Saint Louis University for five years. 

Buck holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Saint Louis University, where she wrote a dissertation titled "The Cultural and Structural Shifts in Race-Conscious Access Programs."

She also has worked as assistant director and coordinator for minority student recruitment in the Office of Admission at Maryville University. Previously, she worked in the Office of Multicultural Student Services at Missouri State University and Morehead State University. 

Buck is a sought-after facilitator and speaker on issues of diversity and inclusion in higher education. She has been engaged in topics such as inclusion in the academy, the student experience and campus culture, and strategies to address racial and social injustice.

At Princeton, Buck will be a member of the campus life leadership team. She will be responsible for providing a vision and integrated programs for diversity, equity and inclusion to enhance campus life mission and goals, as well as to contribute to the achievement of the University's diversity goals.  

Buck will supervise the directors of the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Cultural Understanding; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Center; and Women's Center. She will be a member of the campus-wide Senior Diversity Practitioners Group and will be one of the several administrators who receive and respond to reports of bias.

Buck has served on numerous university committees throughout her career. She is a member of the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, among others. 

She has a bachelor's degree in public relations and a master's degree in college student personnel administration from the University of Central Missouri.

Buck will be introduced to the University community at the May 2 meeting of the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC), with a reception to follow.

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