Lehman Benson Appointed as Vice President of Black Advancement and Engagement

Lehman Benson, associate professor of management and organizations and assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion in the Eller College of Management, has been appointed as the Vice President, Black Advancement and Engagement, and will now be reporting directly to President Robbins.

Previously Special Advisor to the President for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion as well as the first Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Eller College, Benson has served as a connection to colleagues and students on campus and provided important counsel and perspective on the experiences and challenges faced by Black faculty, students and staff. In addition, he started the Sports Management Program at the College 11 years ago and served as interim program director of Africana Studies.

In this elevated role, Benson will serve as a campus leader and advisor on matters of interest to Black students, faculty and our broader community. He will develop a team dedicated to advancing the University’s mission and initiatives specific to Black advancement, oversee further development and implementation of the President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for exceptional scholars, and provide leadership to advance the University’s institutional capacity related to Black advancement and engagement, including through mentorship programs for faculty and students, identification of resource development opportunities, and awareness of the University’s commitments to diversity and inclusion.

He also will provide advisory support on institutional strategies related to diversity and inclusion, faculty recruitment and retention, and shared governance, while serving as the Executive Office of the President’s faculty liaison to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.