Kimberly Hewitt to lead Johns Hopkins Office of Institutional Equity

Kimberly Hewitt has been appointed vice provost for institutional equity at Johns Hopkins University, where she will lead the university's affirmative action and equal opportunity compliance efforts, investigate discrimination and harassment complaints, and provide a central resource for people with disabilities.

Image caption: Kimberly Hewitt

She will join the Office of Institutional Equity on March 6.

Hewitt comes to Johns Hopkins from the University of Minnesota, where she has served as the director of the Office for Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action since 2007 and deputy chief of staff for the Office of Equity and Diversity since 2014.

"I am delighted Kim has agreed to join the JHU community," JHU Provost Sunil Kumar said. "Her tremendous legal expertise and resolute commitment towards creating learning environments that are inclusive and free from discrimination make her uniquely qualified for this critical position."

At the University of Minnesota, Hewitt led the university's compliance efforts with federal and state equal opportunity, Title IX, and affirmative action requirements. She served as the Title IX coordinator and was instrumental in developing plans to promote the Office of Equity and Diversity.

She held principal responsibility for investigating all complaints involving harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct, including several complex and high-profile cases.

At JHU, Hewitt said, she hopes to increase her office's visibility on campus; ensure that equal opportunity and discrimination resources are readily available for students, faculty, and staff; and ensure the harassment and misconduct reporting process is transparent and accessible for all parties.

Diversity and inclusion roadmap

The Johns Hopkins University Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion, released in November 2016, lays out specific actions to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity across the Hopkins community

"I'm excited to join JHU because there has clearly been a great deal of institutional thought behind how to respond to sexual misconduct issues, and how to continue to address issues of equity and diversity," Hewitt said. "There is a strong commitment to those principles at all levels of the institution."

Before joining the University of Minnesota, Hewitt served as assistant dean of students and multicultural affairs at Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. She practiced law for 14 years, specializing in labor and employment law. She holds a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and a bachelor's degree from Stanford University.

"I look forward to getting to know the team at Johns Hopkins and start working on issues that I feel passionate about," Hewitt said.

Hewitt replaces Caroline Laguerre-Brown, whose departure was announced in May, and Sara Slaff, who has served as the interim vice provost.