TCNJ

Special Section: R. BARBARA GITENSTEIN RETROSPECTIVE On August 28, 2013, President Gitenstein approached the podium in Mayo Concert Hall to deliver her annual Welcome Back Address. "Fifty years ago today," she began, "the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and inspired a nation to become its better self. His dream, though only partially realized today, is or should be one of the guiding stars not only for our nation but also for each of us as individuals." e president used the occasion to announce efforts that led to the creation of an Office of Institutional Diversity and the appointment of Kerri ompson-Tillett as the college's first chief diversity officer. A campus climate study and new programming to foster a more inclusive community followed. e college has come a long way since the Faculty Senate identified diversity as one of the "Ten Big Issues Confronting TCNJ" in a November 1998 memo to then-President-Designate Gitenstein. "Diversity must be more than a hollow slogan," its authors wrote. "e educational experience at TCNJ would be enhanced by the presence of more minorities, recent immigrants, and international students." TCNJ's educational experience today includes a much more diverse community than when President Gitenstein started, and the college benefits from the broader perspectives. Gitenstein credits this to the leadership of people like ompson-Tillett and Vice President for Enrollment Management Lisa Angeloni, and a community that places such a high value on diversity and inclusion. "I am so proud of this transformation," she says. "And the fact that we've made it a fundamental part of our strategic planning means our success in this area will continue to grow." 360% AFRICAN-AMERICAN 553% LATINO Increase in Applications 263% AFRICAN-AMERICAN 429% LATINO Increase in Offers of Admission 281% AFRICAN-AMERICAN 277% LATINO Increase in Enrollments Celebrating Diversity Big issue, big results

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