LeNá Powe McDonald, a Birmingham native, is returning to the University of Alabama (UA) in a new role as vice president of community impact, overseeing the school's new Office of Community Impact.
According to the Crimson White, the new office replaces the Division of Opportunities, Connections and Success and the Division of Community Affairs.
The Division of Opportunities, Connections and Success was the name former UA president Stuart Bell gave to the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) office to allow it to continue operating while assuring lawmakers that the programs were eliminated and that the school was complying with the new law that banned DEI offices on campuses across the state.
"President [Matthew] Hudnall commented that after speaking with President Bell, the DEI mission remains the same. The DEI renaming is a name change only," minutes from the November 14, 2023, Faculty Senate meeting explained at the time.
SEE: University of Alabama System keeps DEI leadership, rebrands departments after state passes ban
Last month, 1819 News reported that UA president Peter Mohler promoted Andre Denham, one of the school's longest-serving and most vocal champions of DEI, to dean of graduate affairs.
It was a striking blow to the university's efforts to distance itself from its previous DEI programs.
A University of Alabama graduate, McDonald earned a doctorate in higher education administration, a master's degree in communication studies , and a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in community development and dance from the university.
McDonald's dissertation, "From First Lady to Madam President: A study on women leaders of public four-year institutions of higher education," described the challenges that black women face on college campuses.
"The gender and race barriers that were created by powerful white men are a part of the America's fabric. Lingering effects of slavery, segregation and the oppression of women have influenced the current experiences of African American women within the academy because they have been nurtured and sustained since the creation of the academy," McDonald wrote in a lengthy section on "Black feminist thought."
"Racism and sexism, as well as the assumptions associated with both of them, are a part of America's history and its foundations," McDonald stated in a section on Critical Race Theory.
"Intersectionality combined with Black Feminist Thought and Critical Race Theory highlights the challenges unique to women of color and how those challenges are viewed in the academy," she wrote in her conclusion.
McDonald will report to Chad Tindol, senior vice president for partnerships and strategy, according to a May announcement for the position. Tindol chaired the search committee for the position.
According to her 2020 dissertation, in which she thanked him for his support alongside the former VP of the DEI office, G. Christine Taylor, the two had previously worked together.
"Dr. McDonald brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this office," Tindol said in a statement announcing her hire. "Her leadership will build upon the University's history of external outreach and will strengthen UA's impact and partnerships throughout the state."
According to UA, in her most recent role at the Southeastern Conference (SEC), McDonald led "initiatives that elevate institutional collaboration, student achievement and public impact across the SEC's 16 member institutions." Before joining the SEC, McDonald served in the UA Office of the President as director of internal affairs and UA System liaison.
The job description describes the position, saying, "Position duties include leading and contributing to efforts that grow philanthropic, local, state and federal support for UA and UA System initiatives, while working closely with the President's Office and UA System Government Relations Office to advance priorities at both the state and federal levels. The vice president for community impact partners with the chief financial officer and human resources leadership to ensure future resources and talent are aligned with the University's long-term enterprise strategy."
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