The Office for Institutional Diversity (OID) serves the entire university community and supports the university's mission to advance Kentucky as outlined in UK's strategic plan. The vice president and OID directors work across academic and non-academic units to implement ideas, collaborate on outreach and recruitment efforts and to enhance student retention and achievement. OID staff provide consultation and assistance to the various colleges in developing diversity and inclusion strategies and metrics in their individual strategic plans. We work with the Office for Institutional Research and Institutional Effectiveness to help both academic and non-academic units understand and use data collected on students, faculty and staff, particularly as the information has implications for campus climate and inclusiveness efforts. Issues of grievances, workplace conflicts and Affirmative Action should be directed to the Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity.
About Us
Office for Institutional Diversity
Meet Our People
Our people in the Office for Institutional Diversity and in the units that support OID's mission are dedicated to ensuring all students, staff and faculty know they belong at the University of Kentucky. OID directors and their staff work to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas, from the classroom to the broader Lexington community.
Learn more about the remarkable people who are advancing inclusive excellence at UK and beyond.
Units and Contacts
There are five units that support the work of the Office for Institutional Diversity. They serve our entire UK community and are indispensable to the ongoing mission of inclusive excellence.
Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives (CGPDI)
John Blaine, Director
Ezra Gillis Hall, Suite 10
502 Administration Drive
Lexington, KY 40506-0033
Phone: (859) 218-4816
Website: https://www.uky.edu/cgd/
Inclusive Excellence and Diversity Education (IEDE)
Damon Williams, Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity
Phone: (859) 257-9293
Email: oid@uky.edu
Website: https://iede.uky.edu
Martin Luther King Center
Ja'Mahl McDaniel, Director
Gatton Student Center, 160 Avenue of Champions — Suite A230
Phone: (859) 257-4130
Website: http://www.uky.edu/mlkc
Office of Community Engagement
Lisa Higgins-Hord, Assistant Vice President
Phone: (859) 257-7144
Email: lrhigg0@email.uky.edu
Rodney Creager, Administrative Support Associate
Phone: (859) 257-7144
Email: rodney.creager@uky.edu
Website: https://www.uky.edu/engageuk/
Office of Lifelong Learning
Lisa Higgins-Hord, Assistant Vice President
Phone: (859) 257-7144
Email: lrhigg0@email.uky.edu
Rodney Creager, Administrative Support Associate
Phone: (859) 257-7144
Email: rodney.creager@uky.edu
Website: www.uky.edu/olli
Dr. Katrice Albert Named UK Vice President for Institutional Diversity
The University of Kentucky is too good not to be better.
About Vice President Katrice A. Albert
Dr. Katrice A. Albert has a distinguished career in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. She currently serves as the Vice President for Institutional Diversity at the University of Kentucky. Prior to that, Dr. Albert served as the executive vice president of inclusion and human resources at The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Previously, Albert served as vice president for equity and diversity of the University of Minnesota system, and before that as vice provost for equity, diversity and community outreach at Louisiana State University (LSU).
She writes, speaks, and consults on the issues of cultural competence and integration, corporate social responsibility, educational and workforce inclusion, gender and dynamics of power, educational access and community-university partnerships.
She has repeatedly been recognized nationally for her efforts as an inclusion champion and subject matter expert. She is a highly sought-after scholar-practitioner that frequently writes, speaks, and consults on cultural competence and integration, corporate social responsibility, educational and workforce access and equity, gender and dynamics of power, and community-university partnerships.
Katrice A. Albert is a native of New Roads, Louisiana, in Pointe Coupée Parish.