After working at Ohio University for more than three years, Brian Bridges’ last day is Wednesday — but the search for his replacement is just getting started.
Bridges, previously OU’s vice provost for diversity, access and equity, will now be serving as executive director of the United Negro College Fund’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute in Fairfax, Va.
Bridges will conduct research, serve as an editor and contributor for the institute’s publications, and work with external consultants in his new position, according to a previous article in The Post.
“Oh, of course I’m going to miss everyone,” Bridges said. “I’ve created some great friendships. There are lots of people I’ll keep in touch with. The honor that I’ve had of OU trusting me to be its inaugural chief diversity officer — it really is an honor to say I’ve helped along with this initiative.”
Bridges’ salary was $142,957.
The office of Executive Vice President and Provost Pam Benoit is in the process of putting together a search committee to replace Bridges. The office began working to fill the position Jan. 12, the day after Bridges made his announcement, said Ann Fidler, Benoit’s chief of staff.
Although search-committee position invitations have been extended, no one has accepted them so far, Fidler said.
However, she added, the committee is on track. OU is not using a search firm to find a replacement.
Until the committee decides on a replacement for Bridges, David Descutner, dean of University College and associate provost for undergraduate studies, has been appointed to serve as interim, Fidler said.
Bridges has been at OU since January 2009, starting OU’s Summer Institute for Diversity Education and working with city officials to make the yearly Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration “more inclusive of the community,” he said.
“We’ve appreciated Dr. Bridges on campus, and he’s been a good partner to me in my office, and I appreciate all the leadership he’s provided in the last couple of years,” Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi said. “He’ll be missed, but we wish him all the best in life’s new chapter.”
Bridges will move Saturday and begin his new job the following Thursday.
“More than anything, it’s important to remember a full diversity agenda is a marathon, not a sprint,” Bridges said. “Over the last three years, we’ve just gotten out of the starting block. We’ve still got a lot of work left to do. I encourage everyone to continue to build on what I’ve been able to do these last few years because I think that it’s going to set OU apart from other schools like us.”
sj950610@ohiou.edu
