This fall, The University of Tulsa’s Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is changing some roles and welcoming a few fresh faces.
Dionne Lambert, former director of education and training, has been promoted to executive director for DEI, succeeding Kelli McLoud-Schingen, vice president for DEI who retired from the university this summer.
The first fresh face to join the DEI Office warmly greets students and guests the moment they walk through the door. Jacquelyn “Ms. Jackie” House, the new department assistant, is from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and came to Tulsa in 1969. Originally intending to study environmental law, House’s plans changed when she married and became a mother of two. She went on to have a 46-year career with companies including Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Tennessee, The Williams Companies, State Farm, and Oral Roberts University.
Arriving at UTulsa is a full circle moment for House. While working for ORU, House met and bonded with Lambert, who was then a student. During her residential years on campus, Lambert was a student worker in House’s department, continuing there until her graduation.
Fortified by House’s new energy, Lambert filled her previous role; Cordney D. “Mac” McClain now serves as education and training coordinator. McClain hails from Oklahoma City and wears many hats. He is a U.S. Army veteran, curriculum developer, youth professional development coach, and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. McClain brings years of experience spanning multimillion-dollar aerospace negotiations, top security clearances, and project/proposal management.
Now, he has dedicated himself to serve the marginalized. McClain’s passion to serve has afforded him honors and opportunities including a State of Oklahoma Community Mentorship Award, a Cherokee Nation Public Service Award, and recognition as one of Oklahoma Journal Record’s Achievers under 40.
With the addition of House and McClain, Lambert and her team will continue to promote the DEI Office’s core mission of developing and cultivating resources that nurture a diverse campus community, intentionally building a campus culture that supports the development and successful integration of all of our stakeholders, including being responsible and compassionate neighbors in the community.
According to Lambert, “DEI is about supporting HUMANE humanity. It’s about being free to be our full selves and create the impacts we are on this earth to create while extending that same grace and freedom to others. That’s what we’re here to do.”
More at utulsa.edu/DEI