SHU Hires New Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer

Maurice Nelson hopes to share his passion for equality, community and social justice at SHU

Maurice Nelson (he/him/his) is Sacred Heart University’s new chief diversity & inclusion officer. Working to increase SHU’s value and mission alignment, Nelson will ensure the implementation of a diverse and supportive environment that is conducive to the success of all members of the community. 

“I look forward to collaborating with all members of the SHU community on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) matters,” said Nelson. “The goal will be to strategically imbed DEIB into every fabric of the institution.”

With a strong professional background, Nelson comes to SHU from Yale University where he held a similar title as director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Yale School of Nursing.

Nelson earned his bachelor's degree in management from Savannah State University and his master’s in higher education administration from Georgia Southern University. He is currently working towards his doctorate in higher education leadership.

Nelson is looking forward to working at a university with a “strong commitment to inclusive values. I am excited to work for SHU, because the institution's inception was predicated on a mission of social justice, and it is encouraging to know that social justice is a founding principle upon which we can build a sustainable sense of belonging and empowerment for all SHU constituents,” he said. 

Although SHU’s social justice mission is what originally drew him to the University, Nelson hopes to strengthen Sacred Heart’s focus on social justice and inclusivity even further. “I am eager and prepared to bolster DEIB so that it profoundly cements social justice as an organic way of life for SHU,” he said.

“We are excited to have Maurice join the team. His in-depth past experience in DEIB will serve the University well as we work to ensure that all members of our community feel welcome, seen and heard,” said SHU President John J. Petillo.