Acadia University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Jeff Hennessy announced the appointment of Lerato Chondoma as Acadia's Associate Vice-President, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. Chondoma will officially start the role on September 16, 2024.
The Associate Vice-President, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (AVP-IDEA) is a new position at Acadia that encompasses a wide scope of oversight. The role will further the work championed by Dr. Claudine Bonner, who was Acadia's first Vice-Provost of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
While equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and decolonization are the shared responsibility of all who study and work at Acadia, the AVP-IDEA will provide strategic leadership and guide organizational change in these areas. The AVP-IDEA will be responsible for leading community building initiatives across the University and will work with specialists in specific areas to support Indigenous and Black communities, people with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
"Given the important and multifaceted nature of this position, our search process was quite extensive," said Hennessy. "Exceptionally strong candidates emerged, and we greatly appreciate their efforts and interest."
"I believe that in Lerato, we have found an excellent AVP-IDEA who will help us create the most inclusive and accessible learning and working environment we can," said Hennessy. "I am very excited to have such an experienced and thoughtful leader join our campus and greater community as we embark on this new chapter at Acadia."
Chondoma, who began her career as an employment equity lawyer, is now wrapping up her duties as the Associate Director of the Indigenous Research Support Initiative (IRSI) at UBC. Chondoma previously worked as a Manager at UBC's Aboriginal Natural Resources Centre as well as the Director, First Nations Economic Development at UBC's Centre for Social Innovation and Impact Investing.
Chondoma has also served as a board member for several organizations where she honed her consensus-based and community-driven approach to addressing complex issues. This includes advising the Canadian Black Policy Network, the Cultural Safety in Research Working Group of the BC Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research, the Racial and Ethno-Cultural Equity Advisory Committee to Vancouver City Council, and the Simpson Community Development Society. At UBC, Chondoma has held several advisory board positions, including those on the Association for Administrative and Professional Staff, Centre for Health Education Scholarship, Centre for Culture, Identity, and Education, the Indigenous Strategic Plan Executive Advisory Committee, and the President's Task Force on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence.
Her vast experience in forging connections and conversations while driving action and tangible outcomes will be a major asset for Acadia.
"I am thrilled to be joining Acadia University, situated on the lands and seas of Mi'kma'ki and steeped in the deep 400 year plus histories, legacies, and contributions of African Nova Scotians," said Chondoma. "I am excited at the opportunity to work in an environment that enables my passion for leading people and systems change in safe, inclusive, and empowering ways, allowing people to thrive and grow while inspired to do their best EDI work."
"It is my hope to foster inclusive, collaborative, accountable, and accessible work environments that are great places to work for a diverse range of intersections of identities; where students, staff, faculty, and administrative leadership are empowered to innovate, feel a true sense of belonging, realize operational excellence and flourish as their full and authentic selves."
