CONWAY,
Arkansas (December 8, 2023) — Hendrix College Vice President for Diversity and
Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Kesha Baoua will retire at the end of the
fall 2023 semester.
“We
are grateful to Kesha for her leadership of the College’s diversity and inclusion
efforts,” said Hendrix College President Karen Petersen. “She has played a
pivotal role in our community. She
has been an advocate and ally for our students, a champion for campus diversity
issues, and a trusted colleague to faculty and staff.”
Baoua
joined the Hendrix staff in 2006 as the Director of Multicultural and
International Student Services. In that role she provided International Student
Orientation, served as the immigration advisor, provided leadership training to
multicultural student organizations, and advised several multicultural student
organizations.
“I
made it my mission to take care of the students, create strong bonds within the
international student community and the greater community, and to ensure
students had the opportunity to share their cultures and to experience American
culture,” said Baoua. “Some of my favorite memories are the expressions of
appreciation from the parents of graduating international students, seeing
former students who met at Hendrix meet up across the globe, and hearing
updates from alumni across the world.”
In
2012, Baoua was asked to serve as the Associate Dean of Students and Director
of Student Rights and Responsibilities. During that time, she assisted students
in forming the Muslim Student Association and created Brothers Respectfully
Uniting at Hendrix (BRUH). She created Sisters in Solidarity (SIS) and the
Staff of Color Network in 2019, shortly after being asked to serve as the
Interim Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer.
In
2020, Baoua was named Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief
Diversity Officer. She developed and led the implementation of the “Demand.Action.Change”
plan in response to feedback from campus during the 2019-20 academic year.
“We
had to have some serious conversations as a campus about where we were and
where we wanted to be regarding DEI. I’m proud of the way the campus community
came together, worked hard, and implemented so many changes to improve our
community,” said Baoua. “There is still work to do, but the shared sense of
responsibility for this work is what will continue the forward progress in
these efforts.
“I
have worked with students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, the community, and
Board members, and it has been such a pleasure,” she said. “My husband and I
took students to Niger twice. I’ve planned programs and camps for kids and
teens, developed relationships with local businesses and organizations, trained
conduct panels, worked with faculty on grant proposals, attended more campus
parties than I can recall, taught Explorations, collaborated with LGBTQ+
community leaders, worked with students through some of their best and worst
days, advocated for underrepresented communities, worked with retired Hendrix
employees to re-connect them with students, and so much more. “I will forever
be grateful for the opportunities I had at Hendrix and for the love and support
my husband, son, and I have received.”
About
Hendrix College
Founded in
1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools
That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the
country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning
opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The
Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has
been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“…
Through engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to
diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community
inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and
joy.”
—Hendrix College Statement of Purpose