MOUNT PLEASANT, MI, August 09, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Shawna Patterson-Stephens has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Patterson-Stephens is the vice president and chief diversity officer in the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at her alma mater, Central Michigan University (CMU). Providing vision and oversight throughout her division, Dr. Patterson-Stephens is instrumental in collaborating with other academic departments, facilities and charter schools. She is also involved in student affairs and coordinates various events that promote equity and inclusion. The Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at CMU notably provides strategy and direction towards achieving institutionalized inclusive excellence.
In addition to her commitments at CMU, Dr. Patterson-Stephens teaches a course for the University of Nevada Las Vegas called BIPOC Women in Higher Education and a second course for New England College called Interculturalism in Higher Education. A leader in the academic setting, Dr. Patterson-Stephens previously served as the associate vice chancellor for the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2019 to 2021, as the director of the Davis Center at Williams College between 2017 and 2019, and as the dean, academic adviser and lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania from 2014 to 2016.
Throughout the course of her career in higher education, Dr. Patterson-Stephens has been successful in bridging the gap between academics and services rendered on campus. As part of her professional commitments, she often conducts research and publishes scholarly articles and book chapters. Dr. Patterson-Stephens is presently focusing on LatinX and Black issues in higher education, the intersections of media in higher education and the ways in which to operationalize critical theory into practice. She is currently preparing to release two books, including a how-to book, titled "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education" and another text that will discuss Black cyberfeminism.
Dr. Patterson-Stephens enjoys participating in community outreach. She also serves as a board member for the Dr. Melvin C. Terrell Educational Foundation Inc. and is on the research writing bootcamp committee for the Sisters of the Academy Institute. Furthermore, Dr. Patterson-Stephens is a board member of CMU's Black alumni chapter, as well as the CMU Research Corporation.
Prior to embarking upon her professional journey, Dr. Patterson-Stephens received a Bachelor of Science in sociology at CMU in 2003, a Master of Arts in student affairs administration at Michigan State University in 2006 and a Doctor of Philosophy in higher education/higher education administration at Florida State University in 2015.
To remain aware of developments affecting her field, Dr. Patterson-Stephens is a fellow of the American Educational Research Association, a chief diversity fellow of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, and a governing board member and convention planning team member of the American College Personnel Association. She is also a member of the Sisters of the Academy. Among other professional organizations, Dr. Patterson-Stephens is a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Links Incorporated, and a charter member of the Tallahassee section of the National Council of Negro Women.
In recognition of her accomplishments, Dr. Patterson-Stephens received a Young Professional Award from the NAACP. Dr. Patterson-Stephens was also recognized with a Top 40 Under 40 Award in Champaign, Illinois.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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