I am delighted to share news that John Armendariz will be our new Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, beginning in June 2025. 

John brings deep experience spanning two decades directing inclusive excellence (IE) programs. He has worked at distinguished institutions of higher education, nonprofits, and in the corporate world.  

John served for five years at Yale University as Associate Director of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Worklife, where he was engaged in developing the university’s first diversity strategic plan, embedding inclusive practices into leadership development and student programming. 

Later he joined Northeastern University where he served for nine years. He was the inaugural Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, where he designed and implemented a campus-wide strategic diversity plan aimed at improving the campus climate, addressed access and retention issues, created innovative regional and national programs for faculty of color, and developed training programs for faculty, staff, students, and co-op participants. His work helped Northeastern be externally recognized for its diversity efforts and secure over $10 million in inclusivity-focused philanthropic support. 

John serves currently as a Global Inclusion and Diversity Consultant at Starbucks, where he has supported enterprise-wide IE programs across global markets, and enhanced employee engagement and global cultural competency. 

We are delighted to welcome John back into the higher education sector. He will lead the eight-person team in our Office of Inclusive Excellence, continuing our strategic focus on IE through campus-wide programming for faculty, students, staff and alumni, our speaker series, and cultural events.  

John earned his BA in Psychology at the University of Texas, San Antonio, his MA in Education at the University of Texas, Austin, and his EdD at Johnson and Wales University. John will serve on the Management Committee of the University and report to the President. He will return to the region with his wife, Roxana, and their 14-year-old twin sons, Diego and Mateo.  

We are very fortunate that David Fryson, our Interim Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, has served in this leadership role since January 2024. He hired an extremely talented team to advance our IE strategic pillar, attracted a diverse range of speakers as part of our series, “Critical Conversations,” and was an inspiring mentor to members of our community. My profound appreciation for David’s excellent work — we wish him all the best as he returns to his home in West Virginia.

My deep appreciation for the work of the search committee chaired by Tom Ellett, Chief Experience Officer, with members Nadine Barnett Cosby, Dean of the School of Communications; Sarah Fraser, Deputy Director of Athletics; Vanessa Gonzalez-Figuereo, Assistant Dean for Advising and Student Services; and Jennifer Sacco, Professor of Political Science and Women's & Gender Studies and Chair of Philosophy and Political Science. 

Please join me in expressing sincere gratitude to David and a warm welcome to John, our newest member of the Bobcat family.  

Best regards,

Judy Olian
President