September 25, 2020

Amelia Hoover Green, PhD, has been named the Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences’ inaugural Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Hoover Green is an associate professor in the Department of Politics and a specialist on global political violence, armed organizations and quantitative research methods. She is the author of “The Commander’s Dilemma: Violence and Restraint in War,” Cornell University Press, which was short-listed for the Conflict Research Society’s 2019 book prize. Hoover Green also serves as a consultant to the Human Rights Data Analysis Group; in this capacity, she has contributed statistical evidence to international tribunals, truth commissions and war crimes prosecutions.

Since joining Drexel University in 2012, Hoover Green has worked to improve experiences and outcomes for students from minoritized and under-represented groups as a teacher and curriculum designer. She also brings to the role a considerable record of service as a member of several key committees.

“This is a dream position to me, because I get to find all the people at Drexel who want what I want, which is to keep justice at the front of our minds despite the multitude of crises around every corner,” Hoover Green says. “I’ve already heard from lots of students, faculty and staff who are excited that we’re building DEI institutions in the College. People are showing up ready to put in real work. Folks are investing tons of creative energy, time and expertise to support this work on a relative shoestring, which is inspiring to me. It’s like drinking from a fire hose, in the best way.”

An Integrated Approach

As the inaugural Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Hoover Green is tasked with building coalitions to promote full, equal access and belonging in the CoAS and Drexel communities. Her work will include:

• Promoting DEI among faculty, staff and students
• Coordinating the planning, implementation and evaluation of DEI initiatives throughout the College
• Proposing and implementing policies that will help the College become a leader in DEI
• Collaborating with relevant University-level DEI offices and University-wide initiatives
• Increasing the visibility of existing partnerships between the College and the community, and locating opportunities for new ones
• Providing thought-leadership and administrative oversight to our Africana Studies, Judaic Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies programs
• Working with Department Heads to provide guidance on course and curricular revisions that foreground intercultural understanding and anti-racist, decolonial and inclusive pedagogies

The feedback that Hoover Green has already received about the state of DEI in the College, as well as perspectives gained from her years in Drexel classrooms, have guided her thinking about the big-picture goals of the role.

She says, “In terms of specific projects, we know that students want to acknowledge and discuss the impact of discrimination in class, so we’re working to build skill and comfort with those conversations. We’re pushing to change norms about whose intellectual contributions are valued by default by showcasing the work of people who have been undervalued and underrepresented in universities.

“Ultimately, what I want is a faculty that is at least as diverse as our student body and staff, and where faculty, staff, students and our local community have equal opportunities to thrive.”

The Right Fit

The search committee for the associate dean role included a mix of faculty, staff and students, to gain crucial perspectives from the College’s constituents.

Committee Co-Chair Jennifer Yusin, PhD, says, “The committee was confident in its recommendation of Amelia for the newly created position of Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Amelia brings to the position wide-ranging experiences, expertise, and skills, combined with a unique capacity to listen to others. In Amelia as Associate Dean for DEI, we gain a person who is passionate about working with our diverse communities in innovative, effective and much-needed ways.”

Additional members of the committee included faculty members Stephane Manasse, PhD (co-chair), Emmanuel Koku, PhD and Meshagae Hunte-Brown, PhD; Associate Dean of Graduate Education Michelle Dolinski, PhD; Research Program Administrator Kim Davis; Chloe Richardson, BA global studies ’21 and Matthew Mieles, PhD candidate in chemistry.

Of her experience on the committee, Richardson says, “I was pleased that the panel was made up of women and people of color within the Drexel community who have a vested interest in picking the best candidate. It was a difficult undertaking to make the right choice not just for ourselves, but for everyone in the CoAS community. It’s clear that Professor Hoover Green was that choice, and we’re happy to have her.”

Hoover Green has the strong support of leadership in the College as she provides her expertise in this area of priority focus and importance. As she begins her new role, she has drawn inspiration from the founding values of Drexel University.

“Drexel was founded as a driver of social mobility — an education free from (at least formal) barriers of race, gender, religion or class. That was rare in 1891, and I think it’s an important thing to remember today.”

Dr. Hoover Green encourages members of the College of Arts and Sciences to reach out to her at aah92@drexel.edu with questions, ideas, criticism, proposals and perspectives.