As Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity, Dr. Brown works collaboratively with the Office of Academic Affairs and academic deans to lead, envision, and implement proactive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in support of Northeastern University’s strategic diversity action plans. Among other responsibilities, he leads outreach efforts to develop talented and diverse applicant pools to ensure that Northeastern can accelerate its progress towards recruiting and retaining faculty members who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
Prior to Northeastern, Dr. Brown was at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) as Assistant Provost and Assistant Vice President for Faculty Diversity and Recruitment. Among other accomplishments and initiatives while at RIT, he developed and executed a nationwide faculty recruitment model that created strategic collaborations with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, along with Predominately White Institutions. He also served as the co-writer and co-convener for Faculty and Staff Recruitment, Retention and Advancement pillar of the RIT Action Plan for Race and Ethnicity.
His work and insight along these lines have been featured in two recent books, including: “We’re Not OK: Black Faculty Experiences and Higher Education Strategies” and “Academic Pipeline Programs: Diversifying Pathways from the Bachelor’s to the Professoriate.” In addition, he has been cited in Inside Higher Education and U.S. News.
Dr. Brown earned his PhD from Texas A&M University in Rhetoric and Public Affairs, with a focus in Political Science (Race and Politics). He also holds a master’s degree from Syracuse University in Communication and Rhetorical Studies.
He is also Associate Professor of Communications Studies at the College of Arts, Media, and Design.