On June 1, 2021, the University of Windsor entered into a new chapter with the two-year appointment of its first acting Vice-President, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Clinton Beckford.

Dr. Beckford is not only the first Vice-President, EDI, but the first Black senior administrator since the University of Windsor’s founding nearly 60 years ago.

Beckford has an established record of EDI engagement through his teaching, research in vulnerability, marginalization and education, and community work. Grounded in his interest and passion for the education of vulnerable children, he has developed courses and projects at the University of Windsor's Faculty of Education designed to enhance the competence of new teachers to teach through the lenses of equity and inclusion.

Alumna Camesha Cox (M.Ed. 2007) says, “Dr. Beckford leads with dignity, grace and humility. He embodies the spirit of hope and possibility. As his former student, I have witnessed, first hand, his magic and have been moved to be a more passionate educator because of his example. In his new role as VP, EDI, I am confident that he will ignite students, faculty and administrators to co-create a more equitable, diverse and inclusive campus for all.”

This is a testament to his extensive impact throughout the University community.

The Girls’ Leadership and Empowerment Program (GLEP), an initiative for secondary school students who identify as girls in Tanzania, was developed and run by Beckford. This was made possible with funding and support from the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) and Rotary District 6400 and is a prime example of his work to eradicate discrimination and promote equity in education.

In his inaugural role as Vice-President, EDI, Beckford provides guidance, advocacy, insight, and leadership in building a systematic, intentional, and coherent infrastructure to support the ongoing work of fostering and ensuring increasingly welcoming, equitable, inclusive, just, and safe campus communities. This is an office that is empowered not only in name but in practice, with an integral and strategic seat at the executive leadership table, Senate, and the Board of Governors. A forthcoming Board/Senate Bylaw will institutionalize a permanent Vice-President, EDI role at UWindsor.

“Dr. Beckford brings extensive research, knowledge, and experience working with racialized, marginalized, and Indigenous communities locally and internationally to this role, as well as a deep knowledge of our campus community,” wrote Dr. Robert Gordon, President and Vice-Chancellor.

Since his appointment last June, the Office of the Vice-President, EDI, has been engaged in strategic initiatives to address the climate of systematic racial injustice and oppression perpetuated by the institution.

Natasha Daley, a 3L MSW/JD student, notes that Beckford's new role as the Vice President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is a great step forward toward increasing the diverse racial representation within the administrative leadership at the University of Windsor, especially with its diverse population.

Beckford has a record of engagement with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities locally and internationally. He has worked on research and education with First Nations in Ontario and with Maasai and Hadzabe groups in Tanzania, East Africa on education and cultural engagement.

His work with local communities focuses on issues of environmental justice and food justice grounded in the role of traditional and local knowledge and is well known internationally. Much of this work studies the impacts of global economic and environmental change, including globalization and climate change, on marginalized rural peoples, through a livelihood and vulnerability framework. He has also researched the agricultural workers' program in Canada and its impact on migrant farmworkers from the Caribbean. This research is particularly crucial to further understanding issues faced by Caribbean migrant workers.

“Dr. Clinton Beckford’s role on campus is a signal that our institution is actively working to decolonize space," says Kat Pasquach, Aboriginal Outreach and Retention Coordinator.

"Through this work, we will build up our communities that are often overlooked and be on a better path to helping our students, staff and faculty thrive while at UWindsor. I welcome the initiatives that come from the Office of the VP, EDI and how Indigenous communities can be a part of this journey.”

His depth of experience as a highly respected advocate for social and environmental justice, as an agent of change in the ongoing work of dismantling systemic oppression on this campus and beyond, and as an educational and administrative leader will provide much-needed guidance to the University of Windsor and beyond.

“Dr. Beckford is a changemaker, transforming this world into a better place for all," says Dr. Phebe Lam, associate vice-president of Student Experience.

"He leads with purpose, compassion, and authenticity. He inspires us to do better, to be better.”