In one of her final Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Board of Governors meetings, Shippensburg University President Laurie Carter asked for “a request” from her state system colleagues.
To diversify each university's council of trustees so they are more representative of the students they serve.
Near the end of Thursday’s meeting, the board recognized Carter for her contributions to the system through her time at SU. Carter thanked her colleagues for their support, friendship and wisdom during her tenure.
“It has truly been a pleasure to work alongside this group of committed university leaders who believe that our students deserve the best of us, and work to ensure that they receive it,” Carter said.
She also thanked the SU community who worked alongside her to move the university forward.
“Although there is still much to do, we accomplished a great deal by working together and putting our students first as I prepare to move on from the system, and here it comes Dan, I have one request for the Board of Governors,” Carter said.
Carter referred to the diversity presentation from earlier in the meeting, sharing her feeling of encouragement of the work of PASSHE Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Denise Pearson, and the diversity, equity and inclusion commission.
“But one area of diversity must be addressed as the system responds to the changing demographics of our society and the needs of diverse students. Few of the councils of trustees are truly diverse,” Carter said. “This must be addressed. Trustees play a critical role in the life of our campuses. I ask you to work so that they reflect our campus demographics, and ensure that trustees are trained in DEI so that they can be supportive of these important efforts.”
Carter was the first woman and first African American to serve as SU president.
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