Townsend named chief diversity officer

Dr. Tiffany G. Townsend, a widely recognized leader in diversity and psychology, has been named chief diversity officer for Augusta University effective Sept. 1.

In her new role, Townsend will work closely with university leadership in developing strategies to build and preserve a campus culture promoting the values of inclusivity, compassion, collegiality, excellence, integrity and leadership.

Townsend previously served as the senior director of the Office of Ethnic Minority Affairs at the American Psychological Association. Prior to that, she served as chair of community liaison/outreach in the Center for Trauma and the Community and adjunct associate professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine.

“As a national expert in the area of diversity and inclusion, Dr. Townsend will build on our core values to create an equitable campus climate and inclusive learning environment welcoming to all students, faculty and staff,” said Augusta University Provost Gretchen Caughman.

As a clinician and scholar, Townsend has received over $4 million in grants to conduct studies on populations of color, including career development/training programs for early career scientists of color and HIV prevention programs for African American girls.

Her work in the field of diversity has been featured in several journals, books and media outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Journal of Child and Family Studies and Washingtonian.

“I am delighted to take on this role at Augusta University, and I look forward to working with the faculty, staff and students in building and promoting a diverse and inclusive environment on campus,” said Townsend.

Townsend is a member of the Mid Atlantic Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, Society for Research on Adolescents, American Psychological Association, Association of Black Psychologists and Society for Research and Child Development.

Townsend earned her bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and her master’s and doctoral degrees from George Washington University. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist.