Kevin Joseph to lead Office of Multicultural Affairs as interim director

LAWRENCE — The Office of Multicultural Affairs is enlisting a familiar University of Kansas director to lead its activities.

Precious Porras, assistant vice provost for student affairs, announced the appointment of Kevin Joseph as interim director of Office of Multicultural Affairs. The OMA, located in the Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center, offers academic enrichment programs for all of KU and provides support and services for current and prospective students from historically marginalized populations. Joseph, who came to KU in 2015, currently serves as director of student affairs assessment and strategic initiatives.

Joseph currently oversees assessment, strategic planning and annual reporting efforts across all Student Affairs departments; identifies and leads partnerships with various campus stakeholders that support student success; and develops programs and initiatives designed to support the success and retention of underserved KU student populations. He will maintain oversight and responsibility for these areas during his time as interim director of OMA.

Joseph earned a doctorate in higher education administration and a master’s degree in educational research methodology from Louisiana State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master of business administration from Florida A&M University. He participated in KU’s Social Justice Fellows inaugural class in 2016 and serves as an adviser for student organizations that support students of color.

“I am grateful to Dr. Porras and Dr. Durham for the opportunity to serve historically marginalized and underserved student populations in this role,” Joseph said. “Throughout my time at KU, I have respected and appreciated the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ efforts to ensure students feel valued, heard and supported. I look forward to working with campus and community partners to advance this work and prepare the office for its next director.”

The OMA director position previously had been held by Porras. As part of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging reorganization announced in December, Porras’ position has moved within Student Affairs. Porras earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Northwest Missouri State University, a master’s degree in counseling from Emporia State University and a doctorate in educational leadership & policy studies from KU. She will continue to provide oversight and leadership for OMA, the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity and the Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity. She was appointed director of OMA in 2015 and took on additional leadership responsibilities in 2017 as assistant vice provost for diversity & equity while retaining her OMA director duties. The decision to separate her responsibilities into two positions allows for the growth and development of both positions and the constituents they serve.

“The changes happening within Student Affairs are going to help the university provide students with the support and programs needed to focus on their studies, and help them engage constructively both in and outside the classroom,” said Tammara Durham, vice provost of student affairs. “I have great confidence that Dr. Porras and Dr. Joseph will be strong advocates for all students and especially for historically underrepresented students.” 

Porras is looking forward to continued involvement with KU students.

“It has been a great privilege to lead the OMA for the last six years,” Porras said. “I have been in the OMA my entire career, so it’s difficult to no longer be an official OMA staff member, but I am happy to still be so connected to the office.”

A search for a permanent director for OMA will begin later this year.