Northern Virginia Community College announced Thursday that Dr. Nathan Carter has been appointed as the College’s first ever Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. The CDEIO takes a leadership role in developing plans and educational/professional development programs that help to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion in NOVA’s practice, programs, policies and culture.

"I am honored to serve NOVA and the entire college community in this role,” Carter said. “Now, more than ever, the charge to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education will ask much of all of us. All students, staff and faculty should receive the support they need to feel included so they can thrive and achieve their education and career goals. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to engage in the important work ahead."

Dr. Carter brings significant academic and research experience. He has published and presented on the intersection of communication and racial identity, communication within African-American communities, culturally responsive pedagogies and the use of technology to mediate intercultural challenges. He also led projects focused on equity in student outcomes and school performance as a senior research and policy associate at the Virginia Department of Education.

“NOVA is excited and honored to have Dr. Carter serve as our first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer,” said Anne M. Kress, president of NOVA. “He brings significant academic, research and work experience to this role, and his passion and leadership will support NOVA in providing equity in opportunity for our students and a welcoming and inclusive learning and working environment for the full diversity of our community.”

Carter is currently interim associate dean of social sciences at NOVA’s Alexandria Campus.  He joined NOVA in fall 2012 after serving as a research analyst for the superintendent of public instruction at the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Prior to his position at VDOE, he was assistant professor of communication studies at California State University, San Bernardino.

Dr. Carter has developed a track record of using education, research and effective communication to evoke changes that impact diversity, equity and inclusion outcomes. In addition to 15 years of teaching in higher education, some of his efforts include: developing and directing co-curricular educational programs that improve the lives of minoritized students; managing grants focused on closing equity gaps in the workforce and presenting research on the impact of culturally responsive teaching in higher education.

He holds a Ph.D. in Intercultural Communication from Howard University; an M.A. in Communication Studies from California State University, Northridge and an undergraduate degree from the University of the Pacific. He is a passionate advocate of the community college mission, having first attended college at Sacramento City College (Los Rio Community College System) after graduating from high school in 1995.