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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah official who headed the U.'s now-disbanded Division for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will be leaving to take a post promoting diversity initiatives at the American Association of Colleges and Universities.
Mary Ann Villarreal — the vice president for equity, diversity and inclusion at the U. until HB261, the measure taking aim at diversity initiatives at Utah's universities, took effect on July 1 — starts her new post on Aug. 28. She was on vacation this week and U. representatives didn't say if the new law — decried by critics as an attack on efforts to assist traditionally marginalized college students — factored in her planned move.
Randall, though, offered congratulations in an open letter the U. published Monday.
"Dr. Villarreal served as the U.'s inaugural vice president for equity, diversity and inclusion and has been a trusted adviser to me during my time as president," Randall wrote. "I know that she will bring thoughtful and committed leadership to the AACU as she seeks to deepen student success everywhere."
Villarreal, who started at the University of Utah in 2019, is at least the second U. official involved in supporting diversification efforts and minority students to depart amid the debate and, now, implementation of HB261. Meligha Garfield, the inaugural director of the U.'s Black Cultural Center — eliminated per HB261 — left last March to take a post heading Georgia Tech University's Office of Black Culture, Innovation and Technology.
In a Feb. 12 statement, the U. referenced the HB261 debate, but didn't say if it figured into Garfield's departure.
"The move happens to coincide with the Utah Legislature eliminating equity, diversity and inclusion programming at public institutions statewide. Despite the perceived setback, (Garfield) expresses optimism for the future of the center he developed and led for the first five years of its existence," reads the statement. The Black Cultural Center actually closed as HB261 took effect, along with other centers for women, the LGBT community, Latinos and others.
With the changes brought on by HB261, Villarreal had shifted from her role as head of equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives to special adviser to Randall, the U. president. Likewise, other employees in the Division for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion were reassigned to new offices with new job titles and job descriptions.
HB261 proponents had sought dismantling of diversity initiatives, arguing that the programming offered to minority and traditionally marginalized students under their guise ought to be available to all students in need, regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other personal identifiers. Defenders of diversity initiatives had countered, arguing, in part, that diversity initiatives help marginalized students find space and acceptance in the university setting.
At the Washington, D.C.-based American Association of Colleges and Universities, Villarreal will serve as vice president in charge of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Student Success. In her role, she will "focus on accelerating institutional transformation by advancing equity and student success efforts in service to undergraduate populations and academic excellence," the association said in a statement.
The American Association of Colleges and Universities promotes "equity, innovation and excellence in liberal education," according to its website. The nonprofit organization promotes innovation to augment educational quality.
