About the Consultant

Professor Sue Rankin

Rankin and Associates Consulting

Rankin is a faculty member in education policy studies and college student affairs at Pennsylvania State University and a senior research associate at the Center for the Study of Higher Education. She has extensive experience in institutional climate assessment and institutional climate transformation based on data-driven action and strategic planning. Rankin has conducted multi-location institutional climate studies at other university systems across the country.

Website: http://www.rankin-consulting.com

 

Committee Co-Chairs

 

Taj Smith, Ed.D.

Director, Center for Diversity and Inclusion

As Director, Smith oversees the operation of the center, manages the staff and carries out the center's mission throughout the community. That mission is to invite all members of the Xavier community to engage in issues related to diversity and inclusion. Smith has developed and facilitated a number of workshops dealing with sexism, racism, heterosexism, hegemonic masculinity and intergroup dialogue. He came to Xavier from Williams College where he worked as the Assistant Director of the Davis Center. Smith also received his masters in Africana Studies at Cornell University.

Jean Griffin

Dean of Students

Jean Griffin serves as Xavier's Dean of Students and is responsible for leading Xavier's efforts to promote student success, wellness and integrity. Jean oversees programs, resources and services such as McGrath Health and Wellness, Psychological Services, Care Management services and the Student Conduct process to help students make healthy and responsible choices while working together to build a safe and inclusive campus community.

Jean has over 20 years of higher education experience and has been a member of the Xavier community since 2012. Jean's undergraduate degree is from Canisius College, a Jesuit university in Buffalo, NY and she holds a Master of Science degree in Education from Indiana University.