Glenn Hired to Lead Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
Mid-Michigan native and educational leader will work to provide equitable access to opportunities.
ALMA — Jonathan Glenn, who has served as a leader in various educational roles for more than a decade, has been hired as the new director of diversity and inclusion at Alma College. Glenn most recently served as associate athletic director for student athlete leadership and development at Central Michigan University (CMU). His start date at Alma is Aug. 8.
“Alma College has pledged to create a climate where everyone is safe and free to grow intellectually, spiritually and emotionally, in an increasingly diverse campus and world,” Glenn said. “I am excited to help lead the charge in those efforts. Having the opportunity to work in this capacity, helping to recognize and remove barriers to success for students so near the area where I grew up, is one that I appreciate and do not take lightly.”
In his role, Glenn will report to the vice president for student affairs and chief diversity officer, providing strategic and programmatic leadership for diversity and inclusion initiatives at Alma College. He will work to support and enhance Alma’s long-standing commitment to diversity, social justice, belonging and inclusive excellence.
Glenn will coordinate and deliver diversity educational programs, workshops and trainings to students, faculty and staff. He will also oversee the Julius Chatman Living Learning Community and assist the Chief Diversity Officer in advancing Alma College’s Inclusive Excellence plan.
Creating a more just and inclusive community is one of the five key tenets of “Evergreen: A Dynamic Plan for Alma College,” which demonstrates Alma College’s commitment to building a holistic culture of inclusion on campus, said Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer Damon Brown.
“Alma College has made tremendous strides in recent years to celebrate and value the varied identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives in our campus community,” Brown said. “Jonathan Glenn is the perfect leader to help us carry that momentum forward. His energy and passion for diversity and inclusion work is second to none and I’m excited to welcome him to campus.”
For the past 12 years, Glenn has worked at CMU in various roles with an upward trajectory. In his role as associate athletic director, Glenn led a diversity, equity and inclusion committee, and the educational initiatives for staff and student enlightenment. Glenn concurrently served as chaplain of the CMU football team and taught courses in leadership and First-Year Experience as an adjunct professor.
Prior to those roles, Glenn served as assistant director of CMU’s Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, assistant director of mentoring and scholarship for Multicultural Academic Student Services, and mentorship lead and trainer in the CMU IMPACT program.
A Saginaw native, Glenn earned an M.A. degree from CMU and is currently working toward an Ed.D. degree. He also has a B.Th. degree from Life Christian University and a B.S. in education from CMU, as well as an A.A. degree from Delta College.