Office of Diversity and Inclusion announces promotions for Ashford, McElderry

The Wake Forest Office of Diversity and Inclusion announced, recently, promotions for staff members Shannon Ashford and Jonathan McElderry.

Shannon Ashford

Ashford was promoted to associate director of diversity education.  McElderry was promoted to executive director of the Intercultural Center.

Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion José Villalba said Ashford “has provided impactful and insightful guidance, vision, and implementation of student-centered diversity education so as to make Wake a more empathetic and belonging community.”  In her new role, “Shannon will continue to engage with students and student leaders, as well as connect and collaborate with faculty and staff as they focus on elevating their inclusive practices and programming,” Villalba added.

She previously served as program manager for diversity education.

McElderry joined Wake Forest in 2016 as director of the Intercultural Center and assistant dean of students.

Jonathan McElderry

“In his time at Wake Forest, Jonathan has overseen an expansion in the programming offered by the center, as well as influencing the breadth of inclusive practices and initiatives across campus life,” said Villalba.  “He is a standout scholar-practitioner, who has authored or co-authored research articles, book chapters, and mainstream resources so as to increase access to promising student affairs practices on college campuses.”

McElderry also mentors new and prospective leaders in student affairs, in addition to serving as an affiliate faculty member in the University’s Department of Counseling.