Garry Morgan named director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at veterinary college
Garry Morgan has been named the first director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
The college established this position in order to support a diverse and inclusive community. In alignment with InclusiveVT, the Principles of Community, and the college’s 2020-2021 Diversity Action Plan, the college seeks to recruit and support students and faculty from underrepresented minority groups, make a veterinary medicine education more accessible, and provide educational opportunities and expand awareness within the college community.
As director, Morgan will serve on the college’s Executive Board as a valuable voice in advancing the college’s goals.
Morgan said that being the first director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the college is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.
“I entered my career to serve as a catalyst for sustainable change, so to do diversity, equity, and inclusion work at this current time as we are on the tail end of a global pandemic, the director position provides an opportunity to strengthen the meaningful, equity-focused work already occurring in health professions," Morgan said. "Ultimately, I seek to provide leadership and advocacy for members of our community so each of us can be accountable for our part in supporting an increasingly diverse and complex global environment.”
“With this new position at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, we are continuing our commitment to grow and sustain a thriving, diverse, and inclusive College of Veterinary Medicine community. We are resolutely dedicated to creating and maintaining an environment that allows all members of our college community to learn and grow to their full potential,” said Dan Givens, dean of the college.
“I am very excited about Garry Morgan joining the leadership team of the college as we collectively seek to advance the college’s missions. Garry’s notable experience in strategic planning, organizational initiatives, and educational programming will facilitate advancement of the college’s goals in diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Morgan looks forward to learning more about the college’s academic programs and getting to know the college community and their needs.
Morgan earned a bachelor's in sociology and African American studies from State University of New York at Cortland, a master's degree in educational leadership and policy from State University of New York at Buffalo, and a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from North Carolina State University. He is currently a Ph.D. student in administration of higher education at Auburn University, where he worked as special assistant to the vice president for inclusion and diversity.
“I recognize there are challenges to achieving this goal, but I invite members of the college community to join me in a collective learning process as we seek to eliminate barriers for faculty, staff, and students. I want to help cultivate and maintain a culture that students, faculty, staff, and alumni can experience belonging,” Morgan said.
— Written by Sarah Boudreau M.F.A. '21, a writer with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
