Presidential Task Force for Opportunity and Equity

The Presidential Task Force for Opportunity and Equity is a representative team invested in developing an equitable and inclusive Auburn University. Our current priority is to examine racial inequality and to recommend strategies for addressing disparities. The membership of this group may change in response to specifics that may emerge.

Members

Lt. Gen. Ron Burgess (ret), chair
Executive Vice President

Ms. Akilah Alwan
Graduate School

Dr. Katrina A.R. Akande
Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies
University Senate Representative

Mr. Michael Bennett
Executive Vice President of Outreach, Student Government Association

Ms. Madison Birckhead
President, Panhellenic Council

Dr. Michael Brown
Professor, School of Kinesiology

Ms. Mikayla Brown
Undergrad Student, Emerge

Ms. Chacolby Burns-Johnson, MPA
Auburn Alumni
Chair, Black Alumni Council

Ms. Angela Cannon
Department of Human Resources
Administrative & Professional Staff Representative

Dr. Taffye Benson Clayton
Vice President, Inclusion and Diversity

Dr. Royrickers Cook
Vice President, University Outreach

Mr. C. Kevin Coonrod
University Ombudsperson

Dr. Joffery Gaymon
Vice President, Enrollment Services

Dr. Norman Godwin
Associate Provost for Academic Effectiveness

Mrs. Jaime Hammer
General Counsel

Ms. Ada Ruth Huntley
President, Student Government Association

Mr. Seymour Irby
President, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity
Interfraternity Council

Mr. Ronny Isaac
President, National Pan-Hellenic Council

Dr. Robin Jaffe
Professor, Department of Theatre

Dr. Kimberly Mulligan-Guy
Assistant Dean for Inclusion, Equity and Diversity, College of Sciences and Mathematics

Ms. Lastella Paradise
Department of Human Resources
Staff Council Representative

Coach Bruce Pearl
Men’s Basketball

Dr. Jared Russell
Director of Diversity, Professor and Assistant Director, School of Kinesiology

Dr. Melody Russell
Professor of Science Education, Asst. Dept. Head, Dept. of Curriculum & Teaching, College of Education

Mr. Jailin Sanders
President, Black Student Union

Dr. Joellen Sefton
Professor, College of Education; Director, Warrior Research Center

Dr. Kamden Strunk
Associate Professor, College of Education

Dr. Giovanna Summerfield
Professor and Associate Dean for Educational Affairs/Foreign Language and Literature, College of Liberal Arts

Ms. Gretel Thornton
Graduate Student, College of Education

Mr. Jeffery Turnipseed
Undergrad Student, Black Student Union

Mrs. Gretchen VanValkenburg
Vice President, Alumni Affairs

Mr. Rett Waggoner
President, Student Government Association

Subcommittees