ST. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS — The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has recently appointed the former chief diversity officer of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Andriel Dees, as the institution’s new vice chancellor for equity and inclusion.
Upon the appointment, Chancellor of Minnesota State Devinder Malhotra explained the qualities why she fits the position, saying, “Andriel has performed admirably as interim system diversity officer amid an incredibly turbulent and difficult year, and she has exceeded expectations.”
“She has the right mix of qualities, expertise, and experience – both professional and lived – and brings a clear vision and passion for leading and executing our aspirational Equity 2030 goal to close the student educational equity gaps.”
From 2019 to 2020, Dee served Minnesota State as the system civil rights/Title IX compliance officer. In that role, she led compliance efforts for federal and state nondiscrimination laws and developed, implemented, evaluated, and monitored procedures and policies in relation to equity issues and equal opportunity.
Since 2020, Dees has served the university as the interim system diversity officer, serving as the primary advisor to the chancellor on inclusion and equity issues and providing guidance and oversight for the system’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan.
Her responsibilities include advancing Equity 2030, a systemwide vision to close all educational equity gaps at every Minnesota State college and university by the year 2030.
Holding a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University (VA) and a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law, Dees is now a successor of Clyde Pickett, who served Minnesota State as chief diversity officer from 2017 until 2020.
With the approval of the Board of Trustees, the chancellor is authorized to negotiate a three-year contract with Dees, which will be effective on July 1, 2021.
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