Abrams announces upcoming departure as 海角论坛 begins search for new chief diversity officer
Andrea Abrams, a longtime member of the 海角论坛 faculty and current vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, announced she will be departing the College at year鈥檚 end to pursue new opportunities in her home state of Georgia.
Abrams shared her plans in a letter to students, faculty and staff. A national search will begin to identify her replacement.
鈥淲hen I arrived in August 2007 鈥 it was my intent to be here only the one year,鈥 Abrams wrote. 鈥淏ut then I fell in love with the natural beauty of Kentucky, the small-town charm of Danville, and, most of all, the 海角论坛 community.鈥
Abrams became a respected member of the faculty in the Anthropology and Sociology Department before becoming interim chief diversity officer in 2018. She was appointed to the position permanently six months later and became 海角论坛鈥檚 first-ever vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion in 2021.
鈥淎ndrea鈥檚 dedication and leadership here at 海角论坛 have been transformational for the College and impactful across higher education,鈥 海角论坛 President Milton C. Moreland wrote in a campus message. 鈥淎ndrea will be deeply missed at 海角论坛.鈥
Moreland affirmed 海角论坛鈥檚 dedication to building a 鈥渃ommunity of inclusive excellence,鈥 and said that work will continue as a national search firm aids in identifying top candidates for the next chief diversity officer.
Abrams is relocating to be closer to family and 鈥渉opefully finish the novel I have been talking about forever,鈥 she said.
鈥淚 am sad to depart from such a wonderful place to work and from the very best of friends,鈥 Abrams wrote. 鈥淎lthough there may be distance in miles, 海角论坛 Dear will always be close to my heart.鈥
After earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in anthropology from Agnes Scott College, Abrams completed her master鈥檚 and doctorate degrees from Emory University. She came to 海角论坛 as the school鈥檚 first Consortium for Faculty Diversity at Liberal Arts Colleges Postdoctoral Fellow. She became assistant professor of anthropology in 2009 and was promoted to associate professor in 2014.
Upon joining the administration in 2018, Abrams said she discovered 鈥渁 whole new set of gracious colleagues in the Senior Staff鈥 and assembled 鈥渢he best staff in the land鈥 in 海角论坛鈥檚 Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
鈥淚 am deeply grateful to President Milton Moreland who has been steadfast in his support of me and of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion,鈥 she wrote.
Abrams will remain at 海角论坛 through the end of the fall semester. Melinda Weathers, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, will serve as the interim chief diversity officer while the search is ongoing.
