The Wharton School has announced Renita Miller as its inaugural Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer (CDO), effective October 1, 2022.

In her role at Wharton, Dr. Miller will report directly to Dean Erika James to align and amplify the school’s existing and exploratory DEI practices to solidify a culture of dignity, respect, and transparency through the appreciation of differences. In collaboration with the deputy dean, Dr. Miller will assist in outlining inclusive practices for integration into the core academic activities of the school, including faculty hiring and retention. Through partnerships with program offices, Dr. Miller will support diversity practices in recruitment and collaborate to promote the numerous student-facing and student-led programming across the school’s suite of programs. She will engage with Wharton and Penn’s offices of HR on staff hiring and development, as well as increasing opportunities for conversations on culture and belonging capable of enacting meaningful progress. Further, in association with External Affairs, Dr. Miller will provide insights on programming to promote DEI understanding and engagement among and across many alumni audiences.

Dr. Miller joins Wharton from the Graduate School at Princeton University, where she most recently served as associate dean for access, diversity & inclusion and executive director of the pre-doctoral fellowship initiative for more than four years. Her work included the establishment of several foundational pipeline and community-building programs to advance graduate and PhD diversity efforts through internal and external partnerships. Through these and other efforts, Princeton saw a historic increase in the number of underrepresented minority graduate students applying to, and accepting offers for, Princeton degree programs. Her previous experiences include serving as dean of Berkeley College at Yale University as well as in several administrative positions within Princeton’s broader academic community.

“Renita is well-versed in the data-informed practices necessary for success in this position, and will bring a spirit of leadership, empirical thinking and open perspective to the school,” Wharton Dean Erika James said.

“I am delighted to take my expertise, passion, and joy for this work to the Wharton School and work under the incredible leadership of Dean Erika James where I will continue to serve a mission towards enhancing equity, opportunity, and belonging in even more impactful ways,” Dr. Miller said. “I look forward to joining the amazing community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the Wharton School and Penn!”