15 Year Book - Flipbook - Page 136
A LETTER FROM
DR. ROBERT
SELLERS
In 2014, the University of Michigan appointed Dr. Robert Sellers as the first Vice Provost for Equity,
Inclusion, and Academic Affairs. Under Dr. Sellers’ leadership, CEO, the U-M Detroit Center, and the
Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI) were brought under the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and
Academic Affairs (EIAA)—what is now known as the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI). In his
inaugural year, Vice Provost Sellers initiated a comprehensive review of these units to align them with the
university's strategic efforts for greater inclusivity. This transformation reflected U-M's commitment to
fostering an environment where diversity, equity and academic excellence thrive, and showcased a
commitment to nurturing the next generation of scholars.
Under his leadership, CEO’s DEI Plan (now known as DEI 1.0) focused on four areas to integrate DEI into
its outreach work: Delivering Direct Services, Fostering Communities of Practice, Developing Outreach
Infrastructure, and Building Capacity & Consulting. Additionally, Dr. Sellers also provided meaningful and
intentional support for the CEO team during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Sellers will always be known in CEO’s history as the one who envisioned CEO becoming the
