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Ronald Scott to retire after 32 years serving Miami University

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Ronald Scott

Ronald Scott, Miami University’s vice president for institutional diversity, will retire at the end of 2020.

Scott, an associate professor of media, journalism, and film, came to Miami in 1988 and started his leadership role in diversity in 2009. His leadership earned the university the prestigious INSIGHT into Diversity HEED (Higher Education Excellence in Diversity) Award in September 2020.

“It has been an honor to participate in Miami’s mission to uphold inclusive excellence and to lead in ways that make that commitment concrete and improve the quality of life for our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and communities,” Scott said.

Among other things, Scott initiated the annual Freedom Summer of ’64 Award, honoring champions of social justice as part of the legacy of Miami’s Western Campus, where 800 students trained for advancing voting and other civil rights in Mississippi in 1964. The inaugural award went to Congressman John Lewis in 2018. Through this initiative, Scott planned to bring the National Civil Rights Conference to Miami in June 2020; due to the pandemic it will be held in June 2021

He also oversaw the university’s first climate survey in a decade and implemented its recommendations; advanced inclusive excellence strategies; applied the Miami University Diversity Statement; and helped the Myaamia Center create a Native American land acknowledgment statement.

“Ron led with passion, compassion, and courage to make positive change and influence our communities in building a welcoming atmosphere,” said Miami President Gregory Crawford. “He served as a role model for us all.”

Through December, Scott will remain an adviser to Miami’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Crawford will select an interim vice president for institutional diversity, and a national search for the position will begin in the spring.