Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to share that David C. Long has been chosen to serve as the university's Title VI Coordinator, pending Board of Trustees approval. The Title VI Coordinator reports to the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. David began his role August 18.
As Title VI Coordinator, David will provide expertise, guidance and oversight to campus-wide efforts to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This will include leading the office that receives and is responsible for all reports of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation based on race, color, and national origin, including shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics; as well as coordinating efforts reasonably calculated to eliminate any hostile environment, remedy its effects, and prevent its recurrence.
David joins us following a career in federal service, where he has worked to advance equity, civil rights compliance, and inclusive policy implementation, including within the Internal Revenue Service's Taxpayer Civil Rights Unit and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity. He brings to Illinois experience with investigating civil rights complaints, crafting policy guidance, and engaging with diverse communities to strengthen access and equity in federally funded programs. David holds a B.A. from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology.
Please help me welcome David to Illinois. My sincere thanks to Claire Sharples Brooks for her service as Interim Title VI Coordinator this past year.
Sincerely,
Gioconda Guerra Pérez
Interim Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Designate