Chief Diversity Officer, University of Cincinnati

UC Diversity

Chief Diversity Officer

Mitchel D. Livingston

“As chief diversity officer of the University of Cincinnati,
I am proud to provide leadership for our diversity
initiative. We recognize that diversity is an integral
part of all aspects of university life and is central to
our mission. If I might paraphrase A.G. Lafley, former
president of The Procter & Gamble Company, ’A diverse
organization committed to excellence will outperform
a homogeneous organization every time.‘ Both
diversity and excellence are essential qualities that help
expand the boundaries of knowledge in all disciplines
and in our relationships with one another. The
President’s Diversity Council developed the five-year
University Diversity Plan to engage the entire university
to achieve these lofty ideals. Grounded in targeted
goals and strategies, I am confident the university will
achieve its aspirations. I encourage you to find ways
to make your own unique contributions to enrich the
university community where diversity is one of our
greatest strengths.”

Chief Diversity Officer Biography

Mitchel D. Livingston is vice president for Student Affairs, Chief Diversity Officer and professor of Educational Studies at the University of Cincinnati. He joined UC in 1994 after serving as vice president for Student Affairs at the University at Albany, State University of New York, and dean of students at Ohio State University.

Earning his Ph. D. in Higher Education Administration at Michigan State University, he received his master and bachelor degrees in Education from Southern Illinois University.

Dr. Livingston’s success in public higher education is evidenced by the following achievements:

forty years administrative experience at six different universities
fifteen years teaching experience
tenure as full professor
leadership for multi-million fundraising initiatives
national consultant implementing a model for developing just campus communities and in the areas of multi-culturalism, community building and organizational behavior
keynote speaker for national educational and professional organizations
service on six corporate and community boards (Fifth Third Bancorp,The Arts Wave (formerly Fine Arts Fund), Public Media Connect – CET/ThinkTV (former board chair), Center for Holocaust & Humanity Education, BRIDGES for a Just Community (former board chair), National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Given his broad knowledge and experience, Dr. Livingston is often engaged as a speaker on issues of diversity, leadership, organizational culture, access, and community building.

Dr. Livingston has received a number of honors and awards, including the Governor’s Educator of the Year award, State of New York; Dr. Martin Luther King award for distinguished community service and Award for Excellence in Administration, University at Albany; Educator of the Year award, Anti-Defamation League, Albany, New York; national spokesperson for INROADS, Inc. from 2004-06; Educational Excellence Award from the League of United Latin American Citizens; Prince Hall Humanitarian Award from True American Lodge #2; Men of Honor: A Salute to African American Men; 2011 Profiles in Courage; Gentlemen of Style and Substance and Talbert House Community Service Award.