Bello-Ogunu named vice president of diversity and inclusion at Lamar

Lamar University has named John Bello-Ogunu Sr. as the school’s new vice president for diversity and inclusion, effective Aug. 15 this year.

Bello-Ogunu was previously the associate vice president and chief diversity officer at the College of Charleston. He held that position since 2010, developing the school’s first Office of Institutional Diversity. He also founded a diversity strategic roadmap, offering leadership for the inclusion and diversity efforts at the college.

With his guidance, the school made the Critical Issues in Diversity lecture series, the Eddie Ganaway Diversity Education and Resource Center, the Annual Student Diversity Conference, the Divisional Diversity Liaisons, a Black Alumni Caucus, and a student Diversity Advocates Program. Bello-Ogunu also established the college’s Diversity Campus Climate Study Committee. He co-chaired the President’s Commission on Diversity, Access, Equity, and Inclusion.

Bello-Ogunu has many extensive, diverse administrative and leadership experience during his career in higher education. He has been a senior leader in several student affairs, academic affairs, diversity programs, multicultural affairs and international programs.

Previously, Bello-Ogunu was the founding assistant provost for multicultural affairs at Auburn University and the founding assistant provost for academic services and university retention at the Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He was also the associate dean of students as well as the director of multicultural affairs and an associate professor of communications at Wichita State University.