Dozier comes from top positions at Kennedy-King College, City Colleges of Chicago
John Dozier has been appointed USC’s chief diversity officer and special adviser for online student services.
Dozier, who began his new position at the start of June, considers the position more than just a job.
“I’ve always said that diversity is not a job,” Dozier said. “Diversity is a passion. Diversity is something that’s in your heart.”
In addition to being passionate about diversity, Dozier’s experiences as president of Chicago’s Kennedy-King College and vice president of academic affairs and student services in the City Colleges of Chicago system equipped him for the new position, the first of its kind at USC.
“The experiences I’ve had have enabled me to celebrate change in organizations,” Dozier said. “To me it was a great combination of skills and passion that really drove my interest in doing this.”
Christine Curtis, senior vice provost and ex-officio member of the university’s Diversity Committee, said Dozier’s hiring was a step forward for diversity at USC.
“Having Dr. Dozier on board demonstrates our commitment to promote diversity and inclusion throughout the university community and in our interactions with public constituencies,” Curtis said in a USC release. “He has the experience, knowledge, and commitment to help move the university forward in our diversity efforts.”
Dozier will also ensure that the university’s efforts to promote diversity will extend to online students, like those enrolled in USC’s new Palmetto College continuing education program, Vice President for Student Affairs Dennis Pruitt said.
“Dr. Dozier has the expertise and the experience to help us expedite the development of our online student services, and not just for our new Palmetto College but for all our future online educational programs, which are rapidly gaining a life of their own,” Pruitt said in a release.
With the distance learning component of Dozier’s position, the believes there will be more opportunity to increase diversity.
“With this also being an online role it allows a lot of opportunity because even though we’ve done a lot of great things there’s a lot of thing we can still do,” Dozier said.
While only at work for about a month, Dozier already has plans for the coming years.
“It entails developing and executing a plan around diversity and inclusion at USC,” Dozier said. “Understanding where we are relative to diversity. Setting goals and making sure that diversity is seen as a strategic priority around the university, working with faculty, staff, and students to make sure we are living out the Carolinian creed.”
Dozier is excited about the prospect of working with the USC and Columbia community.
“I’m looking forward to the position,” Dozier said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity. I’m looking forward to interacting with our faculty and student and community to ensure we are living out the Carolinian creed and creating an education environment that will prepare students to succeed beyond their matriculation here at USC.”