About the President

For over 20 years, Dr. Sonel Y. Shropshire has been one of the most recognized experts on diversity, strategic planning and workplace inclusion in Higher Education.

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Shropshire served as Assistant Dean for several academic institutions, including UCLA, Loyola Marymount University, Texas Wesleyan University, Stetson University and the University of Florida. In working with nearly 65% of U.S. colleges and universities, he is touted for his comprehensive insight on diversity recruitment of faculty, staff and students, faculty selection committee development and inclusion training for academic professionals overall. Among his greatest accomplishments, he worked with Texas Tech University in its creation of the Institute of Inclusive Excellence, which at that time was the only one of its kind in the country. Shropshire's new book, "Needles in a Haystack: The Art of Diverse Faculty/Staff Recruitment" is scheduled for release in Spring 2022.

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He has been been affiliated with the White House HBCU Initiative during the Obama Administration, the California Diversity Task Force and appointed to Governor Schwarzenegger's Advisor Board for the California Science Center. Shropshire also created the National Association of HBCU Students and Alumni, a vast organization aimed at providing graduate and career opportunities for students and professionals from Minority-Serving Institutions.