August 1, 2022
Dear OSU Community Members,
I write to share that Kim Kirkland, Oregon State University’s executive director for Equal Opportunity & Access (EOA) since 2017, has announced her plans to retire at the end of February 2023.
Kim has contributed significantly by leading university-wide progress in advancing equitable and inclusive environments for all members of the OSU community. Working as OSU’s Title IX Coordinator, Kim has strongly and actively promoted efforts that contribute to a safe environment for all faculty, staff and students by addressing sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment, bullying and retaliation. As the leader of the university’s office providing employee disability accommodations and furthering accessibility, Kim also has promoted equal access for all those associated with OSU.
Kim’s work has included implementing improved communications and training and significant positive collaboration with university partners. Improvements in OSU’s work to address sexual misconduct during Kim’s tenure have included implementation of new policies and processes that provided greater transparency and timeliness in misconduct investigations. This work has included a new sexual assault survey among OSU students; the development of required employee and student training modules; improving support and services for survivors and those impacted by misconduct; and providing for due process rights ensured by federal and state law.
Kim is a talented leader who has demonstrated her commitment to continuous improvement and to supporting equitable opportunity and access for OSU’s community and beyond. She has also been deeply involved as a community member, serving as a mentor and connecting with students, faculty and staff through the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center and the Black and African American community in Corvallis and Albany. We will miss her.
The university’s executive director for equal opportunity and access is central to the success of OSU’s equity, diversity and inclusion efforts and is responsible for overseeing compliance with federal, state and university policies and regulations regarding affirmative action, equal opportunity, disability access and other civil rights. Beginning in September, Dan Larson, vice provost for student affairs, will chair a university committee to undertake a national search for this important leadership position.
Please join me in thanking Kim for her service to the university and wishing her well in her retirement. I am pleased that she will remain part of the OSU community and our efforts until Feb. 28, 2023.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Johnson
President