Drew Nishiyama Named Interim Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity
Effective Oct. 21, Drew Nishiyama will become interim vice provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity, while current vice provost Sue Guenter-Schlesinger assumes the position of special assistant to the provost. In this capacity, Guenter-Schlesinger will be responsible for certain strategic equal opportunity initiatives including the Provost’s Diversity Hiring Initiative and a variety of training programs.
Nishiyama, who joined Western in November 2018 as associate director of Equal Opportunity and Deputy Title IX Coordinator, will continue to serve as Title IX and ADA Coordinator. Western will re-open the search for Title IX leadership later this term.
Prior to joining Western, Nishiyama served as associate counsel at Iowa State University, and prior to that he served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S. Air Force, and continues to serve in the Air Force Reserves. Nishiyama began his career as a military legislative assistant to a U.S. Representative. He holds a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law.
“Sue’s move to this new strategic role aligns well with our institutional goals related to equal opportunity and diversity,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Brent Carbajal. "I have enjoyed working with Sue and I look forward to continued collaboration. Drew’s experience, knowledge and managerial acumen have become well known in a relatively short time at Western, and I greatly appreciate his willingness to lead the office during this interim period.”
"I’d like to express my deep appreciation for the opportunity and privilege to have served the university as Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity and am grateful to my valued colleagues in the Equal Opportunity Office and across the university for their commitment to and tremendous efforts on equity and inclusion,” Guenter-Schlesinger said. “In my role as Special Assistant to the Provost, I look forward to new opportunities to move forward on a number of equal opportunity and diversity strategic initiatives and to continue collaboration with the Provost and other colleagues on our shared vision for ensuring inclusive and equitable learning and work environments for students, faculty and staff."
“I want to thank Sue for all she has done for the Western community,” Nishiyama said. “She tirelessly promoted civil rights, equal opportunity, and diversity at Western during her time as Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity, and I am confident she will continue to do so as she focuses on several strategic initiatives. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve Western in this interim role, and I hope all students, staff, and faculty will continue to view the Equal Opportunity Office as a resource during this time of transition. I look forward to working with everyone at the University as we endeavor to have a campus free of discrimination and sexual harassment and achieve our strategic plan.”
