E. Jacob Cummings has been named director of the Equal Opportunity and Access office at Vanderbilt University. In this role, Cummings will provide strategic leadership for Vanderbilt’s continued implementation of university policies pertaining to civil rights and nondiscrimination.
“Vanderbilt University is deeply committed to fostering a campus free from barriers to participation for all,” said Stephanie Roth, associate vice chancellor for equal access. “Jake Cummings is an accomplished equal opportunity professional who will not only drive initiatives that promote Vanderbilt’s values in this area, but also ensure our compliance with a number of critical state and federal laws. I’m delighted to welcome Jake to our team.”
Cummings is charged with optimizing processes for reporting, investigating and resolving equity and access-related complaints and inquiries, as well as developing and executing a vision for a safer, more inclusive campus and establishing communication strategies that promote available resources. His team will prepare and disseminate institutional reports that contribute to the development of strategic initiatives, including the university’s affirmative action plans. In addition, Cummings will lead the development and application of university policies and procedures that reflect input from the broader campus community and consider impending changes to federal regulations on civil rights and nondiscrimination.
Cummings previously served as associate director for equal opportunity at Iowa State University and as the equity and inclusion program manager and Title IX coordinator for Des Moines (Iowa) Public Schools. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s in public relations and business communications and earned his J.D. from Drake University.
About Equal Opportunity and Access at Vanderbilt
Equal Opportunity and Access provides a range of services that support Vanderbilt’s commitment to fairness, equity, access and respect, including:
- monitoring the university’s compliance with applicable equal opportunity and affirmative action laws and regulations;
- advocating for equal opportunity for all persons;
- providing religious accommodations for the university, as well as reasonable accommodations to staff and faculty with disabilities;
- conducting unbiased reviews of discrimination and harassment complaints; and
- providing education and training about equal opportunity, discrimination, harassment, diversity and disabilities.
For more information, visit the Equal Opportunity and Access website.