Rutgers University joins a growing list of academic institutions hiring executive leadership to grapple with on-campus issues of diversity, inclusion and equity, appointing Enobong “Anna” Branch as its first ever Vice President of Equity.
Branch, a scholar who has done extensive research on modern racial inequality, assumed the role in September.
One of the university’s goals under her leadership, it says, is to build a more inclusive environment and foster genuine connections and cooperation across several aspects of campus life; something she suggested needs improvement — even in a state known for its diversity. In other words, she’s working to make the university more “culturally effective.”
“We are a diverse community of students. But diversity isn’t the goal, right?” Branch told NJ Advance Media. “It’s to have a diverse community and have those communities interact with one another in ways that aren’t harmful.”
“(New Jersey) is more diverse than the rest of the country. In some ways, that means we are used to encountering difference, but the thing that’s important about New Jersey...is that we live alongside one another, but there are few signs of actual connection. And that’s where universities are different...you’re in the same classroom, you’re in the same space. And so the challenges that relate to that absolutely pop up on the campus.”
Accusations of discrimination at Rutgers have recently made headlines. Earlier this year, the institution was hit with multiple lawsuits alleging systemic racism -- claims it has denied, according to MyCentralJersey.com.
Branch, a Metuchen resident who oversees the New Brunswick campus’ Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, was tapped for the role by Jonathan Holloway, the school’s first Black president in its 250-plus year history. Holloway, who took office in July, has made the university’s devotion to equality a priority, Branch said.
In a statement to NJ Advance Media, Holloway touted Branch’s ability.
“Rutgers can claim broad diversity, but it can’t just be the happenstance of being located in a diverse state. I want us to be intentional about it and provide wide access to opportunities to learn, work, and teach at Rutgers,” the university’s president said.
“In appointing Anna Branch as our first Senior Vice President for Equity, I am elevating the university’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and assigning leadership to someone who has been very effectively working on these issues for years, both as an academic and an administrator.”
Her salary in this new role is $300,000 per year, according to the university.
Branch said she is hoping to bridge the gap between folks who come from different backgrounds, and who simply may not understand one another’s culture.
“The role really was created as part of the president’s directive. Part of his conversation coming into the university was, ‘we are in a moment of racial reckoning, and a global pandemic. And part of the institution’s way going forward is being involved in the work of repair.’”
The Bronx native said she believes her experiences as a Black woman in America will help her embody the work she is now tasked with.
“How do we create some space for people to make mistakes and get things wrong?” Branch said. “I talk a lot about being failure friendly...People are apprehensive about saying anything at all, because they think that what they’re going to say is going to be wrong.”
“I think reading groups are kind of a heavy way to think about it.”
Branch recommended people check out, “What If I Say The Wrong Thing?” — a book filled with tools and resources for folks who are looking to become more “culturally effective.”
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Tennyson Donyèa may be reached at tcoleman@njadvancemedia.com.
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