Bucks County Community College has appointed Kevin L. Antoine, J.D., as Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, college officials announced.
In the newly created position, Antoine will oversee regulatory compliance and programs to cultivate an inclusive environment at Bucks, according to Stephanie Shanblatt, Ph.D., college president.
“At Bucks, we are committed to ensuring a welcoming, inclusive environment for all students, faculty and staff,” Shanblatt said. “We are grateful to add Kevin to our team to oversee such initiatives.”
Antoine, who began his duties on Jan. 6, said he looks forward to serving the diverse population at Bucks.
“My role is to serve as the campus’ institutional liaison for diversity, equity and inclusion, and continue to build on the efforts that Dr. Shanblatt and the college have started,” Antoine said. “Some of the positive steps Bucks has already taken include a recent campus climate survey and identifying the need for a strategic diversity plan.”
Antoine, who has held similar positions with the State University of New York and the City University of New York, said moving to a suburban community college is not much different.
“Community colleges face the same challenges as four-year colleges regarding diversity and inclusion that include, but are not limited to, respecting differences and learning new perspectives while earning a college degree,” he said. “Chief diversity officers are trained professionals in regulatory compliance, conflict resolution, equity and inclusion.”
A native Mississippian, Antoine attended Mississippi Gulf Community College and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. He then served in the U.S. Air Force, earned his Juris Doctorate from the College of William & Mary School of Law, completed Harvard University’s Administrative Fellowship Program, and earned a Fulbright Specialist Scholars Award.
His professional experience includes president and owner of KLA Management Solutions, a human resources consulting firm; a decade as the assistant vice president of diversity and inclusion at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York; and several years as director of compliance and diversity at CUNY College of Staten Island. He has also served as clinical associate professor of health law and policy at SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Nursing.
Bucks County Community College is a public, two-year college founded in 1964 that offers more than 80 associate degree or certificate programs, as well as continuing education and workforce training. Campuses are located in Bristol, Newtown and Perkasie. To learn more, visit bucks.edu
