Georgetown alumna Olabisi “Bisi” Ladeji Okubadejo (L’03) has been named the university’s first associate vice president of equal opportunity, affirmative action, and compliance. Okubadejo’s new role in the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Affirmative Action (IDEAA) will encompass some of the duties formerly performed by Rosemary Kilkenny (L’87, Parent’06), whose role expanded in April when she was appointed to serve as the university’s vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion and its first chief diversity officer.
The new role offers a “unique opportunity to be able to give back to my alma mater and be a part of a team that is committed to building an inclusive community,” Okubadejo said.
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Among her responsibilities, Okubadejo will oversee a senior investigator and counsel, a director of affirmative action training programs, a director of affirmative action compliance and data analytics, and an associate director.
“This new associate vice president role allows us to more fully expand institutional efforts to demonstrate Georgetown’s commitment to diversity and equity and inclusion,” Kilkenny told Georgetown News. “It also affords IDEAA the opportunity to strengthen the university’s capacity to address complaints of unlawful discrimination and harrassment.”
Kilkenny praised Okubadejo’s empathy, passion, and experience. Okubadejo, who will come to Georgetown on January 27 after six years at Ballard Spahr law firm, has served as an attorney within the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, and worked with colleges on civil rights protections in higher education. Her work at major law firms spans Title IX gender discrimination, labor and employment issues, and more. She has run hearings, reviewed programs, and advised on best practices to promote civil rights and nondiscrimination.
Okubadejo’s post-graduate experience with Teach for America for Baltimore City Public Schools motivated her to improve equitable outcomes for students and society. “I believe deeply in making sure that everyone can learn in an environment that is free of discrimination,” she said.