photo by: Submitted

The University of Kansas’ interim leader on diversity and equity issues will be the second candidate to interview for KU’s vice provost position that oversees equity issues.

Nicole Hodges Persley, interim vice provost for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, will be the second of four candidates to interview for the position, KU has announced. As part of the interview process, she’s scheduled to give a public presentation at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Kansas Union Woodruff Auditorium.

Hodges Persley is a KU faculty member, serving as an associate professor in the departments of American Studies and African & African American Studies. She teaches courses in acting, directing, hip-hop studies and performance studies, among other topics, according to a KU press release. She also works as a professional director, with many of her works focusing on race and performance in American theater.

Hodges Persley has undergraduate degrees from Spelman College, and has a master’s and doctoral degree from the University of Southern California in American studies and African American studies, respectively.

People who want to watch Hodges Persley’s presentation remotely can do so at kansas.zoom.us/j/98233919054#success. The passcode is 551402

Earlier in the week, KU interviewed Makini King, assistant vice chancellor for the Division of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. KU has interviews scheduled with two other candidates on Sept. 28 and Oct. 3. KU has not yet announced the names of these candidates, but will do so prior to their presentations.