Post Classifieds
Chief diversity officer calls job rewarding for her and campus
By Shatai Melvin
On February 27, 2013
This year, Buffalo State has a new Chief Diversity Officer.
Dr. Karen Jones, who assumed the role at the beginning of the fall semester, works to make
sure the campus follows policies on discrimination, having an accessible campus and working to
make sure the college follows the federal laws regarding Title IX.
Jones' duties are centered on enforcing a campus culture that is supportive for all students,
including minorities, students with disabilities and forming business relationships with minority
women.
Jones believes her job is helpful to students because it "creates a campus community that has
diversity, is accessible to all students allows them to engage in freedom of speech and have
important resources, multicultural programs and making everything equitable," she said.
Jones said she didn't expect to work in her field and become the Chief Diversity Officer of
Buffalo State.
"It just happened," she said.
Before Buffalo State, Jones worked at Virginia Tech for the past two years as the school's
executive director, managing a staff of 11 for the Equal Employment Opportunity Office, ADA
office and the Office for Conflict and Resolution.
Jones said her decision to leave Virginia Tech for Buffalo State came down to a number of
reasons.
"I love New York State and I'm originally from New York," Jones said. "Virginia Tech minimizes
the chance to relate and mix with students. Buffalo State's mission relates to my values and
you're not going to get that [at Virginia Tech]."
Jones said being at Buffalo State also helps her in maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
"Gospel music is blasted in my office," Jones said. "I take a step back and leave the office to go
to the Union. I spend 55-60 hours a week in the office. I bury myself in 3-4 hours worth of work."
Jones added that the most rewarding thing about her job is her experience with students and
staff at Buffalo State.
"Being in a smaller campus, you have the chance of getting to know the students, to meet the
best and brightest faculty," Jones said.
Jones' colleagues are equally elated to have her as a part of the team.
President Podolefsy and Vice President of Student Affairs Hal D. Payne are a couple of the
many people that have worked with Jones. They value the impact and work she has done for
Buffalo State in the short time she been working at the college.
"Dr. Jones has the extensive experience, approach and ambition to build on Buffalo State's
long-standing commitment and respect for diversity and individual difference," Podolefsky
said. "She clearly shares our vision and value for advancing diversity both in and outside the
classroom and will provide the guidance essential to shaping our diversity efforts going forward."
Payne has also worked with Jones in Buffalo State's search committee.
"Karen has done an excellence job learning what she needs to know as the Chief Diversity
Officer meeting leaders in the Buffalo Community," Payne said. "She's been a wonderful
colleague and a respected professional."
Jones' typical workday consists of four or five meetings and helping Buffalo State's search
committee. She meets with students and faculty, people in the community and solidifies
relationships.
Jones said the hardest part of her job is dealing with people who may have experienced a
violation of policy.
"Managing expectations for people who may have experienced a violation of policy is tough,"
Jones said. "Folks lose employment because of it."
Jones added her biggest accomplishment is obtaining her doctorate in educational leadership
and policy. She also has a daughter who recently graduated from Buffalo State.
Jones continues to implement improvements for the campus.
Since she has been a part of the Office of Equity and Campus Diversity, Jones has
implemented a new policy search waiver document for hiring purposes.
The office doesn't have go to through the typical process since the implementation of new policy
search waiver document.
There is also a new website for the office, thanks to Jones.
Shatai Melvin can be reached by email at melvin.record@live.com.
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