URI’s College of Arts and Sciences has selected Kamilah A’Vant, an accomplished organizational leader with broad experience in academia, industry and nonprofits, as its new assistant dean for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).
“Kamilah brings a strong breadth of experience in developing and implementing diversity and inclusion programming, building relationships and serving as an advocate for equity and inclusion,” said Jeannette Riley, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Her experience will enable the College to actively develop a stronger, more inclusive culture that benefits faculty, staff and students.”
A’Vant will work in collaboration with URI’s Office of Community, Equity and Diversity in developing new initiatives that affirm core values of JEDI and anti-racism. She’ll work closely with Dean Riley in fostering a supportive academic environment and a strong sense of community belonging across the College. She’ll also develop new incentives that encourage the infusion of JEDI into curricular and co-curricular activities.
A’Vant says that the importance of JEDI initiatives is amplified in Arts and Sciences, given its position as the largest college at URI with students studying a broad array of disciplines. With so many students — majors and non-majors alike — making contact with the College, A’Vant says it’s critical that students’ experiences at URI reflect the diversity of the workforce and the wider world.
“As students go into the workforce, they’re going to see that it’s increasingly diverse — not only in terms of their coworkers but also the customers and communities that organizations serve,” A’Vant said. “It’s important that we set students up for success in this increasingly global society and workforce.”
Before coming to URI, A’Vant was director of diversity programs at Color Magazine, where she created, executed and managed the brand’s diversity, equity and inclusion programming, while overseeing all editorial content for the online publication. Before that, she spent nine years in broadcast television, managing 71 broadcast stations across the U.S. As an educator, she was an adjunct professor at Bay Path University, teaching leadership and organizational studies courses.
A’Vant graduated from Rhode Island College with a bachelor’s degree in economics before receiving a master’s degree in management and a graduate certificate in leadership from the University of Maryland University College. As the parent of two URI students, A’Vant has close personal ties to the University. She has also served as a summer tutor for URI’s Talent Development Program, which recruits and supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
A’Vant says she plans to draw from her personal journey as well as her professional experience as she embarks on her work at URI.
“I would say advocacy is part of my DNA,” she said. “I’m a first-generation college student who overcame a lot of barriers and challenges. These lessons became the foundation of my strong commitment to justice, and my focus on eliminating the systemic barriers that people encounter.”
As she begins her new role, A’Vant says she’s focused on building relationships across the College and the University that foster a culture in which everyone is valued, heard, respected and empowered. In the coming months, she’ll engage with faculty and administrative partners to assure that JEDI values are deeply embedded in curricula as well as in collaborations between departments, colleges and programs.
“This work cannot be done alone,” A’Vant said. “It’s work that requires collective effort to create successful outcomes.”