National Publication Honors Stevenson as ‘Diversity Visionary’

Stevenson

STARKVILLE, Miss. — A Mississippi State administrator is being recognized by a national publication for past and continuing contributions to higher education diversity.

Tommy J. Stevenson, the university’s chief diversity officer, has received a Diversity Visionary Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

Based in St. Louis, Missouri, INSIGHT is the oldest and largest diversity publication and website currently focusing on higher education. For more, see www.insightintodiversity.com.

Publisher Lenore Pearlstein said of Stevenson’s selection, “His tireless work on behalf of the university has made a tremendous impact on diversity and inclusion programs, initiatives and successes throughout your campus.”

Stevenson became CDO and director of the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion in 2013 when MSU renamed what had been the Office of Diversity and Equity Programs.

A Brooksville native, he holds two MSU degrees: a bachelor’s in industrial technology and a master’s in education administration. His doctorate in higher education administration was completed at Bowling Green (Ohio) State University.

“We are proud of Dr. Stevenson and the contributions he has made toward enhancing the diversity of Mississippi State,” said Jerry Gilbert, provost and executive vice president. “His recognition by this publication brings appropriate recognition to MSU and to diversity as a means of enriching higher education.”

In addition to recruiting and helping retain faculty, staff and students from diverse and under-represented population groups, Stevenson is responsible for enhancing partnerships with communities to promote diversity as an essential element of the land-grant institution’s mission, as well as the implementation of a university-wide diversity strategic plan.

He also chairs a campus-wide diversity council and serves as principal liaison between the university and minority organizations, women’s groups and community action teams.

Thanking his alma mater “for allowing me to serve,” Stevenson said “it is an honor to accept this award on behalf of an institution that continues to pursue diversity at its highest level.

“I’m proud to be part of a team that develops policies and procedures promoting, encouraging and embracing inclusion of all people,” he added.

Before assuming his current duties, Stevenson worked for more than two years as assistant dean for diversity and student development in MSU’s James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. Previously, he was an admissions counselor in the Division of Student Affairs.

In 2010, Stevenson was honored as a “National Role Model” by Minority Access Inc., a non-profit educational organization that supports individuals, academic institutions, and federal, state and local government agencies and corporations. For other biographical information, visit www.oidi.msstate.edu/staff.

MSU is Mississippi’s flagship research university and may be found online at www.msstate.edu.