October 1, 2024 - Announcing the new Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Compliance
Dear Faculty and Staff,
For the fifth consecutive year, INSIGHT into Diversity has recognized the University of Missouri–St. Louis as a recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, underscoring our institutional commitment to inclusion and access. This award is a reflection of the collective work of each one of you in promoting inclusion—work that is deeply woven into the fabric of our university and central to who we are.
Advancing inclusive prosperity and fostering an inclusive campus community have always been at the heart of our mission, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to ensure that UMSL serves all who call our university home. However, we also recognize the necessity to make proactive changes that ensure a sustainable future—one that supports the success of every member of our community while upholding our shared values and programs.
With this in mind, we are announcing the creation of a new Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Compliance, effective today, under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Tanisha Stevens. This new office will expand our framework for institutional effectiveness by ensuring compliance with evolving federal and state laws and regulations, overseeing institutional investigative policies and procedures, and managing key areas of data collection and reporting for assessment.
In her new role, Dr. Stevens will provide operational leadership for several critical functions, including Institutional Regulations and Compliance, the Office of Institutional Research, the Title IX and Equity Office, and the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Stevens brings a wealth of expertise in compliance, inclusion, Title IX and equity, student conduct, academic integrity, and program assessment—all of which will be invaluable as we embark on this new structure.
We are also pleased to announce Myron Burr as the new Program Manager for Strategic Initiatives, reporting directly to Chief of Staff Adella Jones. In this role, Myron will oversee strategic initiatives and event administration, including UMSL’s annual MLK and Trailblazers Celebrations and other external and internal engagement activities, while playing a key role in fostering collaborative partnerships that advance the university’s mission.
These changes reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting our people, our values, and the inclusive programming that defines UMSL. As we move forward, we remain focused on aligning our institutional efforts to best support our campus community and uphold our mission to transform lives that has guided us for so many years.
Thank you for your continued dedication to making UMSL a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Gratefully forward,
Kristin Sobolik
Chancellor, University of Missouri–St. Louis
