Lexington, Va., May 26, 2021—After nearly two decades of experience in student engagement, behavioral intervention, and accountability in higher education, Dr. Jamica N. Love has been named the chief diversity officer at VMI.

She was chosen from a competitive pool of candidates in a national hiring search.

“She stood out, and will be the right person at the right time,” said Michael Hamlar, a member of the VMI board of visitors and part of the chief diversity officer search committee. “It’s an honor to recommend her for this position, and we are excited to see what she accomplishes.” 

Through the development of programs and initiatives, Love is tasked with a mission focused on guiding the strategic direction of the Institute’s diversity, equality, and inclusion. Her office will be located in Smith Hall and she will report to Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, VMI superintendent. 

“Her experience and education will bring a wealth of good ideas and meaningful change to VMI,” said Wins. “I look forward to working closely with Dr. Love to bring new opportunities to the Corps of Cadets and the entire VMI community to connect and grow.” 

Love earned both her doctoral degree in higher education administration and her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Northeastern University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in general experimental psychology from Emmanuel College, also in Boston. 

She has held roles at Roxbury Community College, Pine Manor College, Eastern Nazarene College, among other schools, where her responsibilities often focused on student life, campus morale, compliance, suicide prevention, and the implementation of multicultural and social justice programs. Most recently, she has served as a keynote speaker for national and regional conferences addressing diversity, equality, and inclusion in education.

“I desire to guide students to be principled individuals and responsible citizens as it pertains to their development and understanding of equality, equity, and inclusion,” said Love. “Diversity is about a moral imperative, and a desire to see social justice achieved in the areas of age, class, ethnicity, gender, nationality, physical ability, race, religion, and sexual orientation.”

Love will assume this position July 9, and will be appointed a Lieutenant Colonel in the Virginia Militia.

- VMI -