Georgetown appoints Rosemary Kilkenny as strategic leader for diversity, equity, and inclusion

Further strengthening its commitment to promote racial justice and inclusivity, Georgetown University has appointed Rosemary Kilkenny (L’87, Parent’06) to serve as the university’s first Vice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer. In a letter to the Georgetown community about the new, expanded role, President John J. DeGioia praised Kilkenny’s “outstanding contributions” to the university over almost four decades.

Kilkenny has worked at Georgetown since 1980, first as Special Assistant to the President for Affirmative Action Programs, later as Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Equity. She also has served as special advisor to Georgetown’s Task Force on Gender Equity, as well as a member of both the Working Group on Slavery, Memory, and Reconciliation and the Working Group on Racial Justice. Kilkenny’s work has been recognized with the Law Center’s Paul R. Dean Award, the inaugural Dr. Carol J. Lancaster Award, and the Distinguished Leader Award.

In his letter, DeGioia described Kilkenny’s leadership and “transformative” impact on the university, highlighting her efforts “to deepen our commitment to educational equity for minority and underrepresented students, to strengthen the climate and resources for our LGBTQ community, to confront and address issues of sexual assault and misconduct in our community, and to recommit ourselves to building a stronger, more equitable and just future for our University.”

In her new position, Kilkenny will provide high-level oversight and support for the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action (IDEAA) while developing, guiding, and implementing a range of diversity initiatives involving internal and external stakeholders.

“I look forward to the vision and expert guidance she will provide, as we seek to further strengthen the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our Georgetown community in the years ahead,” said DeGioia.

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