Le Moyne College is pleased to announce that Barb Karper has been appointed associate provost for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. In this role, Karper will collaborate with students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the regional community to achieve equitable outcomes and enhance diversity, inclusion and belonging at Le Moyne. Karper, who worked in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion during the 2022-23 academic year, replaces Rev. Charles Oduke, who left the College earlier this month to pursue other opportunities. Her appointment is effective immediately.
“I look forward to collaborating with students, alumni, faculty and staff as we work to promote diversity and inclusion and advance equity throughout the College,” said Karper. “Creating an inclusive culture of belonging advances our Catholic, Jesuit mission and contributes to engagement and student success.”
Karper began her career at Le Moyne in 1974 and over the years has held a variety of positions that have had high impact on current students and alumni. In 2021-22 she served as interim associate provost for student development, successfully overseeing the implementation of a class dean model and contributing to justice and reconciliation initiatives on campus. Whether serving in the Office of Advancement or the Division of Student Development, Karper has built strong networks throughout the Le Moyne community that will serve as a foundation for her work on inclusion and belonging.
In her new position, Karper will report to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Hannan and work closely with the offices of Mission Integration and Human Resources.
“Barb is a dynamic leader who takes on challenging issues with an unflagging spirit of optimism and a focus on solutions,” said Provost Hannan. “She brings everyone to the table and ensures that all voices are heard. Her devotion to Le Moyne is deep and her commitment to improvement has been clear throughout her career. Le Moyne's new strategic plan, Tomorrow Together, recognizes that Le Moyne's future success will depend upon a culture and climate of belonging, and Barb possesses the experience and disposition to help Le Moyne successfully navigate a changing social, political and legal landscape. I am grateful that she will serve in this new role."
President Linda LeMura, who worked with Father Oduke in a number of capacities since he first joined the College in 2005 as a member of the faculty, thanked him for his service to Le Moyne. In addition to serving most recently as vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, Father Oduke served as associate director of the Hetterich Center in the Madden School of Business. Always passionate about international education, Father Oduke also worked in the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Global Education, where he strengthened Le Moyne’s ties to the global community of higher education. “From his years of living in India, the Arabic-speaking world, and various countries in Africa, Charles brought an informed and compassionate perspective to the life of the College,” said President LeMura. “I wish him well in his future endeavors.”