The IUPUI Office of Academic Affairs has appointed Teresa Sosa as director of the IUPUI Next Generation 2.0 program, said Gina Sánchez Gibau, associate vice chancellor for faculty diversity and inclusion.

Sosa, associate professor of urban teacher education, serves as the director of equity education in the office, working on projects related to faculty hiring and researching ongoing efforts to recruit and retain a more diverse professoriate.

Next Gen 2.0 is a leadership development program for staff and faculty who are historically underrepresented in higher education. The program will welcome its ninth cohort this semester.

“Given Dr. Sosa’s expertise and role as an educator on diversity, equity and inclusion for our campus, the program and its participants will benefit greatly from the new insights and perspectives that she will inevitably bring,” Gibau said.

“This program rests upon an incredibly strong foundation created by Dr. Gibau, Kathy Grove and Dean Karen Bravo, along with so many other campus leaders and advisors over the years,” Office of Academic Affairs Executive Vice Chancellor Kathy Johnson said. “Dr. Sosa’s portfolio is a natural home for this program and will help to ensure that it continues to improve over time.”

Sosa takes over for Gibau and Kathy Grove, director of the Office for Women, who served as co-directors of the program since its inception. Over 154 staff and faculty have participated thus far.

“Having had the opportunity to attend the program’s monthly sessions this past year, I now have a chance to consider how my strengths and skills can ensure the program continues to enhance its support for underrepresented faculty and staff,” Sosa said. “I am honored and excited for this opportunity.”

She began her appointment July 1.