Marquita Chamblee has been appointed Wayne State University's first associate provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer. Chamblee -- whose appointment is effective Feb. 2, 2015 -- has spent more than 30 years in higher education, with a focus on diversity and inclusion.  

She joins Wayne State from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where she has served as director of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education since 2012. 

"We are extremely pleased that Dr. Chamblee will be joining us in this highly visible and influential new role," said Margaret E. Winters, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. "Throughout her career, she has served in newly created positions, helping to shape and launch new initiatives. We're confident that she will bring strong and varied experience here to Wayne State." 

Chamblee was selected for the position following a national search seeking someone to lead the university's efforts in all aspects of diversity, inclusion, educational opportunity, cultural understanding and competency, and civil and human rights. As chief diversity officer, Chamblee will serve as a member of the president's cabinet and report to the provost. 

Diversity is one of Wayne State's primary values and is seen as essential to its urban mission of preparing students from varied backgrounds and experiences to excel in an increasingly complex and global society. With students from 60 nations and nearly every culture, Wayne State is Michigan's most diverse public university.

Prior to joining George Mason University, Chamblee worked as a consultant in the San Francisco area and was director of the Dismantling Racism Program at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. She has also held faculty and administrative positions at Michigan State University and Penn State University. 

Chamblee earned a Ph.D. in agricultural education from Penn State, a master's in animal industries from Penn State and a bachelor's in animal science from Purdue University.  

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution of higher education offering 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 28,000 students.