Pacific Welcomes New VP for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility
Pacific University is pleased to welcome Pierre Morton as its new vice president for the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility, effective Feb. 5.
Morton served as the inaugural chief diversity officer at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, building on a career in employee relations, training, and career services in both the academic and private sectors.
He previously served as the executive director of Career Services at Franklin Pierce University. He was the assistant director of Human Resources and Administration for the Yale Young Global Scholars Program and the Yale Young African Scholars Program. Prior to that, he worked in various positions of increasing responsibility at the Yale University Health Center.
Morton holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Albertus Magnus College, an MBA from the University of New Haven and earned a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership & Policy from Wilmington University.
He is chair of the Monadnock Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Coalition; a board member of the Manchester NAACP Education Committee; a board member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers; a board member on the Keene Family YMCA; a committee member on the City of Keene Racial Justice & Safety Committee; and serves on the Keene YMCA Social Justice Committee and the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation Steering Committee.
His work has been featured in the New England Journal of Higher Education, USA Today and the Keene Sentinel.
“Pierre brings wise and relatable experience to our work around equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility at Pacific University. He has a rich understanding not only of process and policy, but also of the nuanced experiences and needs of individuals,” said Pacific President Jenny Coyle.
“He made an instant connection with Pacific community members during his visit to campus. His relational, community building approach will be an excellent fit for our diverse, caring community.”
The position of vice president of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility is relatively new at Pacific, created last winter upon the retirement of the university’s first chief equity, diversity and inclusion officer, Narce Rodriguez. Dr. Coyle offered her thanks to Jean Garcia, director of the Student Multicultural Center, who served as acting vice president in the interim.
“It is apparent to me that Pacific University and every individual, from the kitchen worker to our professors, from our incoming students to our alumni, from our coaches, staff members to our administrators, in one way or another have recognized and are committed to what I call the ‘just cause,’” said Morton.
“Pacific University demonstrates that DEIA does not require a business case in order to be instituted at our organization, because it’s simply the right thing to do. However, this joyous and challenging work has the seeds to transform the individual, the community, and thus our lives, toward a more beloved community of diverse scholarships, scholars and equal citizens. That is the reality I eagerly look forward to, in partnership, creating and sustaining.”