Shaker Schools Hire 1st Executive Director Of Diversity

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — The Shaker Schools have named JeffriAnne Wilder as the district's first Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She begins work on August 1.

The district conducted a nationwide search to determine who would be the first Executive Director of Diversity. More than 80 applicants were considered and Wilder quickly emerged as the top candidate.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Wilder will join us as our first Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” said Shaker Heights Schools Superintendent David Glasner. “We look forward to Dr. Wilder’s leadership and expertise to help implement and advance our Strategic Plan and Educational Equity Policy. Dr. Wilder’s work will be crucial to the District’s efforts to disrupt societal and historical inequities and eliminate disparities among students so that all students can thrive.”

Wilder comes to Shaker Heights from the University of Colorado's National Center for Women and Information Technology. She recently conducted research on and identified gaps in research related to underrepresented groups in K-12 computing and technology.

From 2014 to 2018, Wilder was the founding director of the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. From 2011 to 2015, she was a member of the University of North Florida President's Commission on Diversity and Inclusion.

The hiring process was overseen by Erica Merritt, who has worked with the Shaker Heights Schools on its Educational Equity Policy Implementation Advisory Team.

“This is a huge step for the District and ultimately, for the broader Shaker Heights community,” said Merritt. “There is still much work to be done from an equity standpoint, but I believe that the groundwork laid by the Equity Policy Implementation Advisory Team combined with Dr. Wilder’s vision will lead to successful outcomes for all Shaker Heights Schools students moving forward.”