Rashad Nelms was appointed interim vice president for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and interim IUB vice provost for diversity and inclusion on July 1, 2024. In these roles, he:
- Leads the development and execution of a comprehensive and innovative DEI strategy that aligns with IU’s mission, values, and business objectives.
- Serves as a member of the President’s cabinet, providing insights and recommendations on key leadership and management issues.
- Oversees the design and implementation of institutional policies, programs, and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across all levels of the organization.
- Directs the establishment of institutional metrics and benchmarks to uncover insights and measure the effectiveness of DEI initiatives tracking progress over time.
- Partners with senior executives of cross-functional teams, including HR, Legal, Marketing, and Admission, to embed DEI into all business processes and decision-making.
As associate vice president for strategy and innovation in the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and associate vice provost for diversity and inclusion in the Office of the Provost from March 2023 until June 2024, Nelms served as a strategic advisor to the president’s cabinet and senior university administrators, supporting the implementation of Indiana University’s (IU) 2030 strategic plan; facilitated the identification, development, implementation, and monitoring of university-wide DEI performance metrics; and formulated DEI university-wide accountability strategies.
Joining IU in October 2021, Nelms served as an Executive-in-Residence in OVPDEI. His portfolio included a strong focus on diversifying the faculty and leadership appointments across IU, enhancing the knowledge and skills of undergraduate and graduate students to succeed in today’s global workforce, and serving as an executive coach to mid-level and senior university administrators and the OVPDEI management team.
As a University of Michigan Law School graduate, Nelms brings a wealth of experience to this new role. His career at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) spanned nearly 20 years, during which he held numerous executive leadership positions in over 25 countries. His roles ranged from managing offices on the Zambian borders of Angola and Malawi to leading multinational personnel in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, making a significant global impact.
Nelms is a formally trained, ICF-certified executive coach and speaks several languages.