Strengths Scholar Named VP and Chief Diversity Officer at APU

Azusa Pacific University President Jon R. Wallace, DBA, announced the appointment of Riverside resident Keith E. Hall, EdD, as vice president/chief diversity officer (VP/CDO), following a nationwide search, effective July 1.

“Dr. Hall possesses extensive experience leading organizational change initiatives that encourage collaboration and give voice to all around the table. He brings relevant scholarship and heart coupled with positivity and enthusiasm to this mission-critical position,” said Wallace. “His commitment to helping students thrive and ability to build broad coalitions of faculty and staff equip him to usher in the next chapter of equity and justice work at Azusa Pacific University.” As VP/CDO, Hall will serve in this cabinet-level position, leading institutional change and educational effectiveness by cultivating organizational capacity for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hall will cast a strategic vision in this area alongside university leaders, faculty, students, and staff. He will create policies, oversee programing, and foster an inclusive campus atmosphere in which everyone can thrive.

“I believe our university demography presents a great opportunity to cast a shared vision of what inclusive excellence will look like for an increasingly diverse APU community. I am confident that our campus community is positioned to engage the unique needs of the current landscape by embracing a singular, universal understanding and value of intercultural engagement that involves diverse citizenship, equity, and justice,” said Hall. “I am eager to partner with faculty, staff, and students to amplify existing diversity efforts and co-constructing new strategic initiatives aimed at further cultivating an inclusive campus climate, culture, and community that fosters a strong sense of belonging.”

Most recently, Hall served as executive director of the Undergraduate Academic Success Center, providing leadership for academic advising, TRiO target success, TRiO Upward Bound, Noel Strengths Academy, and student success initiatives. He came to APU in 2012 as director of the Noel Academy for Strengths-based Leadership and Education, where he promoted best practices in diagnosing and changing culture and leading change. Other relevant work experience includes serving as the director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Lipscomb University in Nashville and as department chair and associate professor at Argosy University-Inland Empire in Ontario, California.

A champion for all students’ academic success, Hall brings a rich tapestry of higher education and equity and justice expertise to the role on campus and throughout the San Gabriel Valley and Riverside County. He also has deep interest in diversity issues related to abilities. “A valued APU faculty member since 2012, Dr. Hall inspires with his positive approach to student success and assessment. Gifted in coalition building and collaboration, he is uniquely skilled to bring about organizational change in equity and justice that is comprehensive in scope and a reflection of institutional value,” said Mark Stanton, PhD, provost. “His knowledge of the university and broad network of established relationships will facilitate community thinking, reflection, and action in this important work.”

He holds a B.S in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro; M.S. in Guidance and Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University, Nashville; and EdD in Organizational Psychology from Pepperdine University, Malibu. He possesses extensive experience as an organizational consultant, working with school districts, community colleges, large state systems, and major private higher education institutions.