Lisa Coleman ’88 named new president of Adler University

Adler University has named Lisa Coleman ’88 its next president beginning Sept. 1, 2024.

“Having spent my career addressing how to transform inequitable systems, it is an honor to align my life’s work with Adler University,” Coleman told Diverse Education. 

Coleman currently serves as senior vice president for global inclusion and strategic innovation at New York University. Previously, she served as Harvard University’s first special assistant to the president and first chief diversity officer. In her roles at NYU and Harvard, Coleman was responsible for advancing strategic global inclusion, equity, and innovation initiatives. Before her time at Harvard, Coleman directed the Africana program at Tufts University and was later appointed the senior inclusion officer heading the Office of Institutional Diversity.

In addition to her bachelor of arts degree in sociology/anthropology from Denison, Coleman holds a master’s degree in black studies and women’s studies from Ohio State University and a Ph.D. from New York University.