Hendrix Diversity and Inclusion

Who We Are

Hendrix College was the first  Associated Colleges of the South institution to appoint a Chief Diversity Officer who reports directly to the President.

Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer

Kesha 2021 for web

Mrs. Kesha Baoua has served as Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at Hendrix for the past two years. Previously she spent seven years at Hendrix as Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Before that, she spent six years directing the College's Office of Multicultural and International Student Services.

A native of Gum Springs, Arkansas (near Arkadelphia),  Baoua graduated summa cum laude from the Honor's College at the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor's degree in sociology, and continued her studies there to obtain a Master of Science degree in training systems. She and her husband, Boukary, have a five-year-old son.

For more information regarding diversity at Hendrix, contact Mrs. Baoua at 501-450-3824 or Baoua@hendrix.edu. 


Program Manager for the Office for Diversity and Inclusion


Karisa McAlister has served as Program Manager for the Office for Diversity and Inclusion since August 2020. She previously served as Hendrix's Assistant Registrar for seven years. 

While Ms. McAlister is a native of Chicago, Illinois, she was raised in Russellville, AR. She graduated from Russellville High School and attended the University of Central Arkansas.

For more information regarding diversity at Hendrix, contact Ms. McAlister at 501-505-2951 or McAlister@hendrix.edu.