Ivy Tech Community College is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Markenya L. Williams as the new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging for the Lafayette Campus. Dr. Williams brings with her a wealth of experience and a passionate commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable educational environments.
Dr. Williams joins Ivy Tech with over eighteen years of experience as an educator and leader in diversity and equity initiatives. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from DePaul University, a Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction, and various certifications that underscore her dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Dr. Williams comes to us most recently from Harper College, in Palatine, IL, where she served as an Assistant Professor, a JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Faculty Fellow and the DEI Shared Governance Committee Chairperson. As a faculty fellow, she collaborated with campus leadership to implement strategic DEI initiatives and fostered a culture of belonging. Through collaborations with Dr. Tamara A. Johnson, Harper's Vice President of DEI, Dr. Williams' written contributions supported the institutions' winning nominations for the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) Institutional Excellence Award and the Insight Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award."
Dr. Williams’s career has been marked by her ability to address systemic inequities through data-driven decision-making, community partnerships, and innovative programming. At Ivy Tech, she will be responsible for leading the campus’s efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion among students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. Her responsibilities will include strategic planning for inclusion and engagement initiatives, collaborating with campus Human Resources on inclusivity training, and providing recommendations to the Enrollment Team on student recruitment and diversification.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Markenya Williams to the Ivy Tech family," said Dr. Aaron Baute, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College in Lafayette. "Her extensive background in DEI, coupled with her visionary leadership and commitment to social justice, makes her an invaluable asset to our community. We are confident that Dr. Williams will significantly contribute to our mission of fostering an inclusive environment where all members feel respected and valued."
I am honored to become a part of Ivy Tech Community College and look forward to advancing our diversity, equity, and belonging goals. I am committed to creating an environment where every member of our community feels seen, heard, and supported.
– Dr. Markenya Williams
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
