Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne and Warsaw has appointed JoAnne Alvarez, Ed.D., for the newly formed Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging. Alvarez will serve as chief advisor to Chancellor Kim Barnett-Johnson, Ph.D., and provide vision, leadership, management, and strategic planning for inclusion and equity initiatives at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne and Warsaw and the 11 counties of northeast Indiana.
“I love how supportive and excited faculty and staff have been about making diversity and inclusion a high priority for the College,” said Alvarez. “Our employees were hungry for this and they’re embracing diversity in a way I’ve never seen before. They’re looking to create connections, ask questions, and bring diversity support back to their areas. I’m excited to continue the good work we’ve done in the college and expand the department in the future.”
Alvarez will be responsible for developing a campus-wide approach to enhancing excellence through diversity and inclusion of students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. She will also help to create an organizational culture that sets clear expectations, provides appropriate support, and engenders respect and dignity at all levels of the organization.
“Having an Executive Director specifically devoted to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment at the college is critical to our work, and I couldn’t have chosen anyone better suited to the role,” says Chancellor Kim Barnett-Johnson. “JoAnne brings positive energy, compassion, and dedication into to everything that she does. We strive to be a college where everyone feels like they belong, and I know JoAnne will positively impact this mission.”
Alvarez previously held the role of Director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging. Before that, she held a variety of roles in the College including Director of Student Success and Engagement, Student Success & Retention Coordinator, and Student Services Professional. She has been with the college since May 2014. Alvarez also worked at Home Care Services, Inc., Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne, United Hispanic-Americans, Inc., and Health Force Indiana.
As an active member of the northeast Indiana community, Alvarez serves on many advisory boards. She is currently serving as president of the Hispanic Leadership Coalition of Northeast Indiana. Alvarez is also a member of the Indiana Latino Institute, a board member for the Mastodon Alumni Community and Questa Education Foundation, and a member of the Multicultural Steering Committee and INFAME Recruiting Committee.
She earned a doctorate in education in Ethical Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University in 2020. Alvarez also holds a master of arts in professional communication (2007), a bachelor of science in organizational leadership and supervision (2001) and an associate of science in organizational leadership and supervision (1999) from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne.
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