UNL has selected Susan M. Foster as its director for Institutional Equity and Compliance.
Foster, a former educator, is a senior associate attorney at the law firm Jackson Lewis PC in Omaha. She will begin her director duties Feb. 16.
A member of the chancellor’s senior administrative team, Foster will serve as UNL’s chief civil rights officer and Title IX officer. She will be responsible for providing leadership, direction and oversight for many of the federal and state regulatory mandates of the campus; for generating the university’s affirmative action plans for women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities; for investigating allegations of illegal discrimination and harassment; and for leading the university in monitoring and helping to develop an inclusive, supportive campus climate.
Foster will chair the UNL Equity Council, which includes representatives from Institutional Equity and Compliance (formerly known as Equity, Access and Diversity Programs), the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Human Resources.
“The university is fortunate to be able to attract a person with Susan’s experience as both an educator and a lawyer to lead our diversity and compliance office,” Chancellor Harvey Perlman said. “She will provide excellent leadership in these critical areas.”
Foster said she was honored and excited to join a university that is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture in which all students, faculty and staff are provided an opportunity to thrive, grow and contribute.
“Recognizing and appreciating diverse experiences, beliefs and perspectives expands our collective knowledge and allows us to successfully work together in our ever-expanding world,” she said. “I am eager to work collaboratively with university leaders and organizations, community leaders and organizations, faculty, staff and students to implement strategic initiatives and programs that create, promote and support a thriving safe, diverse and inclusive environment for everyone.”
Foster is a 2009 graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. She earned an undergraduate degree in education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1999 and taught at Millard Public Schools for seven years.
During her tenure at Jackson Lewis PC, she has worked with and provided guidance to clients seeking advice in all areas of employment, including disability accommodation, wage and hour, conflict resolution, hiring, discipline and leave management. She also has trained human resources personnel and management in many aspects of employment law, including discrimination, harassment and disability accommodation training.
