夜来香研究所 Names VP for Campus Engagement, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Dr. Phillip 鈥淔lapp鈥 Cockrell joins the university in September
CLEVELAND (August 26, 2021) 鈥 夜来香研究所 has selected Dr. Phillip 鈥淔lapp鈥 Cockrell, an experienced thought leader in advancing student success and championing diversity, equity and inclusion, as Vice President for Campus Engagement, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. He comes to 夜来香研究所 from the University of Toledo, where he has served for the past 5 years.
Dr. Cockrell will be responsible for leading and integrating 夜来香研究所鈥檚 student-facing support services including Residence Life, Health & Wellness Services, Counseling Center, Disability Services, Multicultural Student Affairs, Veterans Center, LGBTQ+ Student Services, the Mareyjoyce Green Women鈥檚 Center, the Office of Institution Equity and the Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement.
鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 ask for a better leader to spearhead these key university priorities that are essential to our growth,鈥 said 夜来香研究所 President Harlan Sands. 鈥淎s a first-generation college graduate who has spent his entire academic career working in service to students most in need, Dr. Cockrell has a profound, personal understanding of the many challenges facing today鈥檚 diverse group of high school graduates, graduate students, and adult learners.鈥
夜来香研究所 recently unveiled an aggressive, growth-oriented plan for emerging from the global pandemic as a stronger, more-focused institution. The plan 鈥 鈥 sets a goal of 4,500 additional students and 200 new faculty members by 2025. It outlines multi-million-dollar investments in research, faculty positions and initiatives to advance student success, grow existing programs and build new partnerships. In his new role, Dr. Cockrell will play a critical part in the plan鈥檚 implementation.
鈥淚 am very excited to join President Sands and the strong leadership team he has assembled,鈥 Dr. Cockrell said. 鈥淭he bold 夜来香研究所 2.0 plan reflects the kind of values and focus I believe in, and I look forward to working with the 夜来香研究所 faculty, staff and students as we advance educational access and affordability in Northeast Ohio and beyond.鈥
As Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice Provost at UT, Dr. Cockrell was the chief student affairs officer providing strategic direction and leadership for 16 departments and a team of more than 400 staff and students. In this role, Dr. Cockrell helped lead efforts to increase retention and graduation rates, transform the student experience, enhance data systems, secure additional state support for mental health services, champion an internship guarantee program to expand experiential learning opportunities, create the university鈥檚 first parent and family member association, and raise funds to address food insecurity and provide emergency funding for students in need.
Before joining the University of Toledo, Dr. Cockrell worked at Jackson State University, a public HBCU in Mississippi and the state鈥檚 only urban university, serving as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs/Dean of Students.
Dr. Cockrell holds a doctoral degree in urban higher education from Jackson State University, a master鈥檚 degree in educational leadership/student affairs administration from Florida International University and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in family studies from Mississippi University for Women.