Rose-Hulman appoints DEI director

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has appointed Mackenzie Carr to serve as its director of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Mackenzie is replacing Nick Davis, who left to pursue another position in academics late last year.

The school says Carr brings an extensive background in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes in higher education.

Carr most recently served as assistant director for diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-bias at Columbia University’s Climate School in New York. In that role, Rose-Hulman says Carr led campus-wide cultural competency trainings on DEIA trends, developed hiring policies, including the removal of superficial diversity and inclusion-based hiring policies.

Carr will officially begin his new role on March 6. Rose-Hulman says Carr’s appointment follows a nationwide search to fill the position.

“Mackenzie brings a valued combination of lived experience, education, passion, and professional practice to this key position,” said Rose-Hulman President Robert Coons. “I look forward to seeing the impact Mackenzie makes on campus and in the community as we build out our long-term strategic plan, which includes continuing our efforts to provide a more diverse and inclusive environment for our students, faculty and staff and being a place where individuals are valued, respected and feel like they belong.”

From 2015 – 2022, Carr was diversity, equity and inclusion campus coordinator and assistant professor of cultural competency at Hannam University in South Korea. His background also includes work as assistant hospitality professor at Joongbu University in South Korea, as well as roles in social work, counselling, and customer service management.

“Rose-Hulman is one of the few universities that focuses on engineering and technology for undergraduates. Because of this and the need to bridge the gap between STEM and underrepresented populations, I was attracted to this college and this position,” Carr said. “In addition to this, Rose-Hulman’s reputation sparked my interest and led me to want to be part of a community that is focused on growing diversity and inclusivity.”

In addition, Rose-Hulman says Carr is also licensed to teach English as a second language.