Winston Salem Times

AJ Mazaris has been named the vice president for equity, diversity and inclusion at Salem Academy and College.

“Recognizing the critical importance of equity, diversity and inclusion, Salem’s Board of Trustees has approved elevating the position to the vice-presidential level serving both the Academy and College,” Salem Academy and College President, Summer Johnson McGee, said in a release Thursday. “I look forward to working closely with AJ on a wide range of equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives to strengthen the campus experience at Salem.”

Shayla Herndon-Edmunds, chair of Salem’s Search Committee, explained the considerations in the decision.

“As an equity and inclusion champion whose work spans advocacy, capacity building, fundraising, policy development and strategic change, AJ’s experience and expertise stood out to members of the search committee and the campus community,” Herndon-Edmunds said. ‘Above all, AJ is passionate about inclusive excellence in K-12 and higher education, community building and facilitating change that leads to equitable outcomes for all.”

Mazaris offered a snippet of their guiding philosophy.

“I am driven by a passionate belief in the power of higher education, and a deep understanding of the importance of building educational institutions that allow all of our constituents to thrive,” Mazaris said in the release. “I look forward to working with Salem’s students, faculty and staff, in the Academy and the College, to fully embrace equity, diversity and inclusive excellence as core values that are intrinsically linked to Salem’s mission.”

Salem Academy is a boarding and day school for high school girls in Winston-Salem, according to the school’s website. It shares its campus with Salem College.