You have /5 articles left.
Sign up for a free account or log in.
The large majority of U.S. universities’ chief diversity officers—87.9 percent—have held their positions for five years or less, according to the first-ever survey of CDOs by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, released Wednesday. More than half reported that they were their institution’s first-ever CDO.
The survey received 261 responses to questions about the demographics of CDOs, the support they get from their institutions, the most critical issues they face and the future of the profession.
Respondents reported a range of annual salaries, with 16 percent saying they earn less than $100,000, about half saying they make between $100,000 and $200,000, and the remaining 34.2 percent citing salaries above $200,000. But just over half also said they either probably or definitely were not being paid the same as their peers.
Most respondents agreed that they have “adequate access to resources to perform [their] responsibilities.” Still, some reported notably low budgets and small staffs; nearly a third said their annual operational budget is $40,000 or less, and 44 percent have two or fewer full-time direct reports. On the flip side, 15.5 percent said they have a budget of more than $1 million, and 10 percent employ at least 15 staff members.
Asked what issues will likely become the most important for CDOs to tackle on their campuses, 60.4 percent of respondents selected mental health, with campus climate and crisis management also cited as important areas. Unsurprisingly, CDOs consider the political environment—which has turned increasingly antagonistic toward diversity initiatives, especially in Republican-led states—the greatest challenge facing their profession.
