When I was appointed Central Michigan University’s (CMU’s) first chief diversity officer in April 2018, I was charged with making the campus a more inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. At CMU, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is more than a feel-good effort; it is part of our mission and who we are as an institution. It is a set of goals we work for daily. Our campus thrives on the unique perspectives and backgrounds of everyone who is part of our community. Our conscious effort not only to invest in but promote and celebrate what makes CMU different is a major factor in why so many students choose to call CMU home.
Beyond Programs: Leadership Lessons from Ireland’s Inclusive Universities
During a recent sabbatical studying inclusive postsecondary education in Ireland, I visited four universities—University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Mary Immaculate
Ashley Rodrigues
July 20, 2026
