'Behind the Blue': George Wright Discusses Reorganization and His Vision for a More Equitable Campus
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 24, 2020) — The University of Kentucky recently announced a major reorganization of senior administration that energizes three strategic imperatives: putting students and their success at the center of all we do; constructing a bigger table for decision-making with people and resources to get the job done; and creating more accountability around the plans we make and more transparency on how we measure our progress.
In doing so, the president has expanded budget authority and responsibility for the Office for Institutional Diversity (OID) and announced the launch of a national search in the coming weeks for a permanent vice president for institutional diversity (VPID).
Currently, George Wright fills the role of interim VPID. Wright will continue in this role through the national search and move to the permanent position of senior adviser to President Capilouto once the new VPID is selected.
On this week’s edition of “Behind the Blue,” Wright discusses his role in the reorganization, his vision for OID’s future and how this reorganization will guide the university to accelerate its progress, even in the midst of this uncertain moment.
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As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.