When Stephanie Akunvabey, EdD, joined Pace University in 2023 as associate vice president for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, she initiated a process of listening to students, faculty, and staff. The feedback received led to significant changes within the university’s approach to diversity work.
This fall, the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Pace University has been restructured and renamed as the Division of Opportunity and Institutional Excellence (DOIE). According to Akunvabey, “Expansion. As a team, DOIE is laser focused on expanding our impact, improving the student experience, and making sure that Pace is a place where everyone feels welcomed and supported. With that in mind, we’ve intentionally partnered with Human Resources, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and other University divisions to ensure that inclusive excellence is a value that guides how we work, learn, and grow together.”
Akunvabey explained the significance of combining “opportunity” with “institutional excellence” under one division: “Pace has a long history of providing students with one-of-a-kind opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. As a division, we strive to ensure that every Pace student can access those opportunities. We are committed to supporting socially, culturally, and economically diverse populations by mitigating barriers that have traditionally made it difficult for some students to truly thrive. We believe that an institution can only be excellent if it is fully committed to creating inclusive policies and practices.”
The restructuring followed what Akunvabey described as her initial listening tour upon joining the university in August 2023. She noted ongoing frustration despite progress: “When I arrived at the University in August 2023, I went on a listening tour. During that time I heard from the Pace students, faculty, and staff who had championed diversity efforts at the University long before my arrival. It was clear that while there had been lots of progress, there was still a lot of frustration. The institution had followed a common model of creating small enclaves of support for students of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, but it hadn’t proved to be enough.”
She said the realignment plan aimed to broaden services beyond previous focus areas: “The realignment plan allowed us to create an organizational structure that would expand our service focus to include other historically marginalized student groups, while also supporting faculty and staff. We made an intentional effort to focus on preventive measures and educational tools rather than just compliance and reporting for Title IX issues.”
Efforts have included partnerships across multiple campuses with different departments such as Haub School of Law; expansion through hubs like Gosin Center for Equity and Inclusion; revamping programs in Office of Multicultural Affairs; strengthening collaborations with Athletics; peer education through Office of Sexual and Interpersonal Wellness; alumni engagement; as well as community partnerships in New York City (NYC) and Westchester.
Akunvabey emphasized embedding inclusive excellence into daily life at Pace: “Inclusive excellence is a strategic approach to embed our work into the core of the institution’s primary functions. We’re leveraging a few key drivers to ensure that we move from aspiration to action. When it comes to teaching, hiring, University programming or community engagement—we want everyone to use a lens of cultural awareness that celebrates diverse perspectives. We’re doubling down on our partnerships and working to create a culture where commitment to shared equity leadership and accountability are the norm.”
She pointed out cross-campus collaboration as essential: “Historically equity & inclusion work has been left in hands of few passionate individuals… Shared equity leadership simply acknowledges everyone has role… Student Affairs Academic Affairs & Human Resources have been amazing partners but we’re looking forward working closely with other areas… It requires coordinated effort between multiple divisions… There’s lots work be done this area collaboration only way make progress hope achieve.”
To introduce these changes DOIE will host launch events across campuses this fall featuring discussions interactive components refreshments opportunities participate committees share ideas help shape future direction division.
On what community members can do now Akunvabey advised: “Keep an open mind… DOIE team remains committed deep meaningful service invite Pace Community join us radical commitment social impact justice equitable student success.”
Looking ahead she stated: “We want be beacon hope inspiration community… This year want create spaces people connect commune collaborate… If folks leave our events bit joy fresh perspective—we’ve done job.”
