Gauri A. Pitale, associate dean of students for diversity, equity and inclusion at Bridgewater College, in Bridgewater, Virginia, will join Augustana College on Thursday, Feb. 29, as its new vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
She will succeed Lisa Durant-Jones, who has served as interim vice president since July 31.
An accomplished educator with more than a decade of teaching experience, a news release from the Rock Island-based liberal arts college said, Ms. Pitale has extensive experience in DEI programming and advising student clubs and organizations.
Previously she served as an assistant professor in the department of life sciences for Ivy Tech Community College, teaching biology and physiology courses.
Pitale delivered results
Ms. Pitale currently chairs Bridgewater College’s Intercultural Advisory Council. She also is as a member of the Teacher Education Program DEI Committee. As part of the Student Success and Retention Team at SIU, she helped increase the retention of underrepresented students by 30% over two-years.
She holds a doctorate in medical anthropology from Southern Illinois University (SIU), Carbondale, Illinois, and two master’s degrees. One is n biological anthropology from SIU and the other in ancient Indian culture, history and archaeology from Deccan College (Deemed University), Pune, India. She earned her bachelor’s in ancient Indian culture at St. Xavier’s College (University of Mumbai), Mumbai, India.
Augustana College President Andrea Talentino called the incoming vice president “a demonstrated strategic leader and I know she will build upon Augustana’s principles of being an institution that welcomes all students to learn and grow from the liberal arts. Over the last six years we’ve built a strong record of commitment to equity and belonging, and Dr. Pitale will take us to the next step of making that even more sustained and integrated.”
Ms. Pitale said in the Augustana news release, “With a focus on inclusive excellence, my goal is to cultivate a sense of belonging among all members of the Augustana community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners. The objective is to further strengthen Augustana’s vision of becoming an institution that values and celebrates the rich tapestry of its community.”
The vice presidential search committee was co-led by Vickie R. Phipps, associate professor of art and graphic design, and Wes Brooks, dean of students.
College committed to diversity
Mr. Brooks said the work and commitment Augustana has made to ensure a diverse and inclusive community here will be further strengthened by the new hire. “Her commitment to equity, scholarship and genuine relationships will serve both her and the college well in the future,” he added.
Last fall, Augustana earned its fourth Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award from INSIGHT Into Diversity. The college was one of only two private colleges in Illinois and among only nine national liberal arts colleges recognized this year.
Ms. Pitale said she is committed to building upon Augustana’s successes.
“Having spent meaningful time at Augustana and engaging with its diverse community, I am impressed by the college’s initiatives,” she added. “The foundation laid for diversity, equity and inclusion work has garnered recognition, as evidenced by Augustana’s consecutive receipt of the HEED award.”
Augustana’s Office for DEI was established in March 2018 in response to increases in the number of enrolled students of color and international students. That growing diversity continues today, with the college’s largest and most diverse class admitted this fall with students from 30 states and 35 countries. Augustana’s student body is composed of 2,480 students, including 40% domestic students of color and international students.
