Kardan Named Director of Diversity Communications for Office of Equity and Inclusion

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Ebru Kardan has been named director of diversity communications in the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI). Led by Enobong (Anna) Branch, associate chancellor for equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, the OEI works in partnership across campus to achieve priorities related to diversity, equity and inclusion, connecting efforts to national best practices.

Kardan previously served as the director of external affairs and communications for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, providing strategic communications guidance and support for the college and its constituent departments, centers and institutes. In the spring 2018 semester, Kardan joined the Campus Climate Ambassador program. Ambassadors facilitated discussions about the campus climate survey and helped generate ideas with peers across campus that would help UMass move towards its aspirational goals of equity and inclusion.

“I’ve always had a deep-seated drive to help foster positive and inclusive environments, and participating in a process to help us build such a community at UMass was an honor,” says Kardan. “Joining the Office of Equity and Inclusion is an incredible opportunity to continue to work on what I see as the most important initiative at UMass.”

“Ebru comes to us with rich experience as a communications director in higher education in general and at UMass in particular. And her experience working with our office last year as a Climate Ambassador has also helped prepare her to lead our diversity communications efforts," says Anna Branch. “She has innovative ideas that will help us communicate how we can build a campus community of dignity and respect.”