Isaiah Jones Named Senior Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University has hired Isaiah Jones as its senior director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Jones took over this role beginning on Jan 3. Jones will work to promote institutional goals for diversity, equity and inclusion by creating opportunities for access, learning and service on and off campus in alignment with the DEI strategic framework: A Roadmap to Inclusive Excellence.

“The addition of Isaiah as a team member provides additional support for the leadership team as we try to get several initiatives off the ground related to nurturing a sense of community and belonging among faculty, staff and students; additional pathways that support the recruitment, retention and success for a diverse USU, as well as collaborative work with USU alumni, community organizations locally and regionally,” said Jane Irungu, USU vice president of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. “He will also spearhead the coordination and supervision of DEI signature events statewide.”

Jones transitions to this role after serving as the USU Parent & Family Coordinator for Orientation for the past four years. Jones is also a graduate of USU, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in human physiology in 2012 and a master’s degree in history. Jones also holds a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and is currently working on his doctorate degree in applied sciences, technology & education from USU. Jones is a second-generation Aggie as well, with his parents both graduating from USU.

“This opportunity means everything to me,” Jones said. “My dad, now the HBCU president of Fort Valley State University, came to USU in the 1980s from South Central Los Angeles and had almost no connection to Utah. The same is true for my mother, who moved to Utah from Texas. Fast forward to today, and I get to help collaborate with campus partners and the community to assist in creating the type of environment where more people like my mom and dad thrive at USU and beyond it. Furthermore, I am excited to work with campus partners and the community to assist USU in its journey to inclusive excellence for faculty and staff.”

During his time as a student at USU, Jones was also a member of the USU football team. Having seen USU as both a student and an athlete, and then as a staff member, Jones has a unique perspective that Irungu believes will serve him well.

“Isaiah has a great understanding of USU's DEI strategic direction,” Irungu said. “He has been at USU for several years both as a student, athlete and staff. Both his educational and professional experiences speak to his passion for this work, and I am very delighted to welcome him to our team.”

Jones will now work to establish, promote and maintain collaborative partnerships and relationships with university academic and administrative units, community institutions and organizations and between the DEI Division statewide. He is excited to begin in his role and to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

“What excites me about this position is the opportunity to support, develop, and continue USU’s ceaseless efforts to enrich and foster a sense of belonging within the Aggie Family and Cache Valley,” Jones said.