Krishauna Hines-Gaither, the College’s Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, has accepted a similar position at Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles. Krishauna's departure is one of two Cabinet members whose departures were announced this week by the school. Director of Public Safety Jermaine Thomas is moving across town to Bennett College where he will assume a similar position.
Krishauna worked on the President’s Council for the Guilford Edge and served as co-chair of the Ethical Leadership Committee. She supported the College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan. Working with Guilford’s Human Resources division, she designed DEI training for all new employees. She also worked with the Associate Academic Dean’s Office, organizing annual student-led diversity training for incoming first-year students.
Krishauna's last day at Guilford will be Dec. 31. Interim President Jim Hood '79 says that Krishauna will spend the coming weeks planning programs for the spring. She will continue working with Gwen Erickson, Quaker Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, on plans for the upcoming Universities Studying Slavery conference that will be held March 30 to April 2.
Mount Saint Mary’s is known nationally for its research on gender equity, its innovative health and science programs, and its commitment to community service and global justice. Krishauna will be responsible for leading and coordinating the university’s strategy and efforts to create a more equitable, inclusive, diverse, and welcoming environment for all MSMU students, staff, and faculty.
“It has been my honor to work closely with Krishauna here at Guilford, if only for a short time,” Jim says. “I will particularly miss how she couples unstinting insight in calling for justice with deep compassion.”
Jermaine's last day at Guilford is Oct. 19. He arrived at Guilford in August of 2019. Jim says that Jermaine immediately began developing strong relationships across campus with students and the College community.
“I am saddened to lose a colleague who has been a consummate professional in all aspects of his work, even as I am glad he has an exciting new opportunity,” Jim says.
Jermaine also accepted chairing the Health and Safety Task Force at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Jermaine provided critical leadership over 18 months during the most stressful moments on campus, and everyone who worked with him has expressed tremendous respect and admiration for his approach,” Jim says. “The careful management of safety protocols contributed to a low COVID positivity rate among faculty, staff, and students that ensured as close-to-normal operations as possible in this challenging period.”
Jim says that Jermaine will continue to perform Title IX investigations for the College until the school can secure additional trained investigators.
Jim has been instrumental in restructuring the Director of Public Safety position so that it now reports to Student Affairs. He says that Steve Mencarini, Dean of Students, will work closely with the College's Office of Human Resources to find an interim director until a new, permanent director is named.
Jermaine served as Chief of Police at Louisburg College in Eastern North Carolina for four years before joining Guilford and had 14 additional years of experience in law enforcement.