KU announces new Institutional Opportunity and Access director

LAWRENCE — Following a national search, Michael “Shane” McCreery has been selected to lead the office of Institutional Opportunity and Access at the University of Kansas. McCreery will oversee a staff that provides support to more than 30,000 faculty, staff and students on the KU Lawrence and Edwards campuses.

For the past 12 years McCreery has served as the director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, Ethics and Access at Illinois State University. He will begin his IOA leadership role Sept. 1.

“Shane emerged from a very strong applicant pool because of his extensive experience as an equal opportunity leader and as a Title IX coordinator,” said Mike Rounds, associate vice provost for Human Resource Management. “He has done a remarkable job at Illinois State University, and we are very excited to have someone with his leadership credentials join the KU team.”

The office of IOA has an institutional responsibility to enhance and strengthen diversity and inclusion at the university. IOA primarily serves as a neutral fact finder that conducts confidential investigations. The IOA team investigates discrimination and harassment complaints because of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence), national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, retaliation, gender identity and gender expression. The office partners with other campus units to conduct anti-discrimination training. The director of IOA also serves as the Title IX coordinator for the Lawrence and Edwards campuses. 

McCreery joined Illinois State University after serving as the deputy director of human resources and Title IX liaison for elementary and secondary schools at the Illinois Board of Education. Previously, McCreery was the equal employment opportunity officer at the Illinois Department of Revenue. McCreery holds a juris doctor from Ohio Northern University and a bachelor's degree in English from Illinois College.

McCreery will take over from Joshua Jones, who has been filling the role on an interim basis since October 2015.

“Shane brings a variety of experience and perspective that will serve KU well,” Rounds said. “At the same time, I truly appreciate the thoughtful performance of Joshua Jones as the interim director during this time of transition.”