UW’s Hall Accepts VP Position at Salisbury University

The University of Wyoming’s vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion has accepted the position of vice president of inclusion, access and belonging at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Md.

Zebadiah Hall will begin his new position July 15, shortly after UW closes its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in response to a legislative directive.

“We appreciate and celebrate the work Zebadiah has done at UW. We also understand that this opportunity to work as a vice president at another university is one he couldn’t pass up,” UW President Ed Seidel says. “As we noted during last week’s Board of Trustees meeting, we are committed to continuing many services that are important for the success of our students, faculty and staff -- and to being a welcoming place for everyone, as Zebadiah worked so hard to advance.”

Hall was hired by UW in November 2022, after serving as director of student disability services at Cornell University; director of Valparaiso University’s Access and Accommodations Resource Center; and director of disability support services at Calumet College of St. Joseph. At Salisbury University, he will oversee the Disability Resource Center, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of Institutional Equity and the Charles A. Wight Multicultural Center for Equity, Justice and Inclusion.

“I appreciate the time I have spent in UW and the opportunity to connect with so many people across campus and the state,” says Hall, who expects to complete a Ph.D. in higher education administration from UW next year. “I have learned a great deal, and I’m sure I will carry these experiences with me for the rest of my career.”

While UW’s DEI office will be eliminated, Seidel says he is confident the university’s existing programs that serve students -- which existed before the DEI office was created in 2017 -- will continue to meet the needs of all members of the UW community. Programs that might be considered DEI activities that are deemed essential to help students or are part of the university’s academic mission -- such as the Shepard Symposium on Social Justice, the Wyoming Latina Youth Conference and Women in STEM activities -- are expected to continue, some funded by private sources.

Duties that have been under the DEI office -- including federal Title VI compliance, support for religious accommodations and Americans with Disabilities Act coordination -- will be reassigned to other UW units.

Once it is filled, the position of vice provost for faculty, staff and student access, opportunity and well-being will assist in the transition and have other responsibilities, including serving as a special adviser to the president.