Khalilah Shabazz, PhD, has been selected to serve as the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) at Butler University. She currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). She will officially begin her new role with Butler University on September 12, 2022.

As Butler’s CDO, Dr. Shabazz will serve as an important collaborative partner with internal and external stakeholders to proactively develop and implement plans, programs, and activities that educate and motivate members of the Butler community to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values to be collectively upheld in support of student learning and success. Shabazz will report directly to Butler President James Danko and will serve as a member of his Cabinet.

“I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Khalilah and observing her significant talent, both during the planning of the Sigma Gamma Rho (SGRHO) Centennial Celebration and when she spoke at Butler’s Degree Conferral Ceremony, representing the seven founders of SGRHO as the great-granddaughter of SGRHO founder Vivian White Marbury ’31,” Danko said. “There was no question that Khalilah would be a perfect fit for Butler University and this role, and I’m so pleased that she has agreed to join our team. The Butler community will benefit greatly from her knowledge and experience.”

Shabazz has served in a variety of leadership roles since joining IUPUI in 2001, including a seven-year stint as the Founding Director of the Diversity Enrichment & Achievement Program. She has also served as Director of IUPUI’s Multicultural Center since 2014.

“As someone who has worked in higher education in Central Indiana for more than 20 years, I am extremely impressed with all that Butler University has accomplished over the past decade,” Shabazz said. “Through the mission, DEI exists as the bedrock of Butler, and I could not be more excited about this opportunity to join President Danko’s leadership team to help fulfill it. I look forward to serving as a DEI catalyst through care, collaborative relationships, and transformational strategic leadership.”

Shabazz earned a BS in Psychology from IUPUI and an MS and PhD in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University. She has served as a diversity panelist for the NCAA, a diversity trainer for the Indianapolis–Marion County Police Department, and as a diversity guest speaker and workshop presenter for several companies and organizations across the United States. She is an active member in leadership with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and the President & Founder of SAAS National Organization, Inc.