President’s speeches, letters, and articles
Subject: Welcoming Phyllis Esposito as Vice President and Dean for Institutional Diversity
June 16, 2022
Dear Reed community,
I am delighted to announce that after a national search, Reed has appointed Dr. Phyllis Esposito as vice president and dean for institutional diversity. In this role, Phyllis will help lead Reed’s efforts to foster an inclusive campus environment and meet the college's commitments to diversity, equity, and anti-racism. She will be an integral member of my senior leadership team and a crucial adviser for others across the college as we collectively engage in the work to become a more inclusive community.
Phyllis has extensive experience creating and executing initiatives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across campuses, and throughout her career she has prioritized collaboration with others in support of these plans and programs. Phyllis currently serves as the vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. Before joining EvCC in 2020, she worked as director of the Center for Multicultural Education and as the interim dean of the School of Integrative Studies at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. Earlier in her career, Phyllis was a member of the faculty at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in integrated humanities and education from Rockhurst University. She earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Kansas.
Please join me in welcoming Phyllis, who begins her role on July 1. I extend my profound gratitude to the members of the search committee for their efforts to attract top talent to Reed; to Interim Dean for Institutional Diversity Tony Boston for his service to Reed this past semester; and to A.A. Knowlton Professor of Physics Mary James, who advanced Reed’s diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities in incredibly important ways during her tenure as dean for institutional diversity.
All my best,
Audrey Bilger
President